Somebody advised me that I should just be serious on this blog. Well I reckon they take life too serious?

Insects. Trust me on this.....they rule the world. Long after we have blown the sausages out of one another with a mass of highly advanced nuclear weapons the ants will be forming intricate colonies amongst the woods. That is assuming we haven't blown them all up or cut them all down. I am so cynical these days and anyway the trees will regrow.

If you spend a long time in the backcountry insects are the one living issue that will constantly have to deal with. These guys know how to bug you if you excuse the pun. Remember when you are out there you will not be carrying ant powder or fly spray and they know it.  How many times have I found a perfect lunch stop only to find the insects think it is their idea of heaven too. I mean, they are everywhere! They can turn a pleasant break into a frustrating experience or worse.

Follow my rules of thumb.

1/ When stopping for a break in the heat use your groundsheet and first check for ant hills. If you sit on one they will soon let you know. Also they are not too keen on you pitching a tarp or tent on top of their sandy oasis.A tent with a sown in ground sheet is great for keeping the blighters out. In fact my Vaude Refuge zips up to form a complete inner sanctum of non insectdom! As does my MSR Hubba. How on earth all you ultra lightweighters live under those tiny little tea towel sized tarps only you know.

2/ Ok you are going to hate this one. Sorry about this hikers and post persons back home. WEAR LONG TROUSERS! and long sleeved shirts

Here's why - Tics have one thing on their mind - head for your pants. Either up your leg or alternatively on the insect bypass...yes the waistband. If they are impatient they may just settle for 2nd best and bury themselves here. I speak with good experience in this department. I have also met hikers that have found tics buried into their private parts.

Check during the day and at the end of everyday for tics....and also behind your ears....(if ofcourse you are hiking with a buddy).

Often you may even find them concealing themselves within the side pockets of your pack....serious. So when you put your pack in the tent....after already carrying out a body search...Its bingo...dinner time. Kind of like the Trojan horse theory.

Wearing long clothing and generally staying covered up is really the best approach to avoiding all insect bites. Although I have found that Mosquitoes will bite through a single layer easily. Even in hot weather I often wear two layers if the Mossies are way bad. (and good repellent)