A Fly-Infested Camping Trip :-(
@Masihi (4413)
Canada
July 4, 2011 7:30am CST
Every summer we go to the birthplace and childhood home to my husband's grandmother, and she's buried there now in her family burial plot, which we visit every year. Hubby been going down there ever since he was born, so that's 47 years in a row. I've been going down with them for the past 10 years (as I was married to him for 10 years) and how it has become our family tradition.
This year was plain awful, though. We've had really cold rainy days since the spring time, and it's still quite cool in our province, with lots of rain. So this year, there was many more flies than usual or average, and not even bugspray kept them at bay for long. We camped on the beach as we usually do. Even my husband, who's usually immune to flies and regularily scoffs at us for not liking flies found it really difficult.
My daughter got bit twice on her eyelid, and it was swollen big time. Poor girl she was so uncomfortable, and really wanted to go home after one cold night in the tent. I was lucky that I brought benedryl with me for her. All of us were eaten alive.
We did have a good time on the beach for one sunny afternoon, though, it was a bit cool, but the exercise warmed us up quickly. We walked about 1.5 km across rocks to a small lake, sat down for a bit, and went back to the main beach.
I was certainly glad to get home, that's for sure. We've had much better times at the beach, and hopefully we'll make one more trip in August - in dryer, hotter weather :-)
1 person likes this
4 responses
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
4 Jul 11
That's so unfortunate being eaten alive by flies, like you said. Up in Scotland (not far from us on the border) they have midges, which probably amount to the same thing. They ruin many a good walkabout for tourists, that's for sure.
Even at Wimbledon the players were plagued by wasps and the like. I've never known that before.
I don't know if you ever wear perfume but if you do, make sure you wear some on a walkabout in the country or on the beach. It works for me and it doesn't really matter which perfume you wear either. However, Sunflowers by Elizabeth Arden is a good one as it's not too expensive.
Hope your next trip is more successful.
Hope your next trip is more successful.1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
4 Jul 11
Ya, my husband was really surprised himself, as flies don't really bother him, and he's one of those maucho-tough-I-can-handle-anything type guys. Wow, wasps, I'd be freaking out!!! LOL
I think we'll have to get my daughter a mosquito net for camping and other woodsy activity, as she's quite sensitive to the bites, we now carry benedryl even in our first-aid kit for her.
I admit to not wearing perfume, I do have some, but here in Canada there's so many places that require us to be scent-free that I simply got out of the habit of wearing it. I have some really good perfumes, too. I do use a lot of tea-tree oil-based products that helps with anything from insect repellent to anti-septic to disinfectant, I even make our own bug spray to avoid the commercial chemical kinds, which works just as well.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
4 Jul 11
How come there are places in Canada you can't wear perfume? Please enlighten me lol.
Ironically, I had to whizz out a Dove Shower Creme because it had tea tree oil in it as it made my skin itch. I proved it today by using something entirely different. Years ago I used tea tree oil on my acne (which isn't as bad now because I'm older) and it made it worse.
I guess I must be allergic to it.
1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
5 Jul 11
Ya, all the public transport buses and medical offices, hospitals, schools, gov't buildings, churches, basically everywhere I go they have signs that says they're a scent-free environment.
@cream97 (29085)
• United States
10 Jul 11
Hi. Masihi. I am very sorry about you all being bitten by the nasty mosquitoes. I am glad that you all have had a safe camping trip too. That is one of the things that I dislike strongly about the summer, is the hot weather and the terrible mosquitoes. The mosquitoes love to bite my kids up, that is why I am making sure that I don't let my oldest daughter, especially go outside near any woody areas. The mosquitoes adore her blood for some special reason!
Your camping trip sounds very fun and relaxing. I am glad that you all did at least enjoy yourselves while you went camping.
I am glad that you all have had a safe camping trip too. That is one of the things that I dislike strongly about the summer, is the hot weather and the terrible mosquitoes. The mosquitoes love to bite my kids up, that is why I am making sure that I don't let my oldest daughter, especially go outside near any woody areas. The mosquitoes adore her blood for some special reason! Your camping trip sounds very fun and relaxing. I am glad that you all did at least enjoy yourselves while you went camping.1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
21 Jul 11
Ya, we were just outside wooded areas, but it was pleasent otherwise :-) We went for a nice long walk along the sea shore, not just sand, but boulders that we had to climb over, got some lovely pictures, too!
@slothgurl (569)
• Enumclaw, Washington
4 Jul 11
Before we go camping, I usually spend a few days before that eating foods that make your skin stinky for bugs, like a little extra garlic in things, or grapefruit is a good one too. We also burn citronella candles around the campsite, I found some that look like mini lanterns, so the flame is enclosed, in case of an open flame/fire ban. Always remember to keep the tent zipped too, and if there are children involved, I bring a smaller "play tent" for them to go in and out of, so they stay out of the sleeping tent. :)
1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
4 Jul 11
Those would work under normal circumstances, but I'm talking about significently higher-than-normal fly population here, this was quite severe. I do like garlic, though, so I suppose I'll simply eat more of them delicious garlic cloves in my salads :-)
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
5 Jul 11
Awwh sad that the flies were so pesky. I suppose with so many rainy days they are on the rise. On the flip side, I am glad you all had a good time.
Sounds like me that my August trips to Arkansas are much awaited with anticipation, then I am there and although a bit uncomfortable, I actually do have a good time. But when I return home it is a sigh of relief to back at home.
I hope your daughter's eyelids is doing much better.
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
5 Jul 11
Thanks, sis, they are all better now. I don't mind a few flies, we can handle them, but this was Fly Overload!!!
