Keeping bugs and insects at bay - camping hack or internet crap

Open any social media app and you’ll be met with an avalanche of “genius” camping hacks—especially when it comes to dealing with the real campsite villains: flies and mozzies. From quirky DIY tricks to supposed miracle repellents, there’s no shortage of ideas claiming to keep the buzzing hordes at bay.

We picked a handful of the most talked-about hacks and put them to the test. Some surprised us… and some definitely didn’t. Let’s find out which ones are:

These are the fly and mozzie repellant ideas we tested:

• Disco ball bug barrier
• Rosemary and lemon bug spray
• Bottle octopus fly nemesis

Disco ball bug barrier

This one is a little wacky but our campers definitely had lots of fun testing it out. But will it work?

The idea: Disco balls will scare off bugs

Hang disco balls around your tent or caravan (or hat...) to keep mozzies and flies at bay.

The verdict:

The flies seemed to love the new disco vibes. There were more flies around after we put up the disco balls than there were before.

Body spray to keep flies at bay

There are so many videos out there of home made sprays claiming to keep flies and mozzies away, but how many actually work?

The idea: Lemon, rosemary and witch hazel spray

Flies don't like strong citrus scents or strong herbs, so combining them both seems like a no-brainer to create a natural non-toxic repellant.

Ingredients:

• 1 lemon
• 2 sprigs of rosemary
• 1 litre of water
• 4 table spoons of witch hazel (Kmart facial toner works just as well)

Method:

Slice up the lemon and rosemary and add them to a jug or bowl. Next add a litre of boiling water and leave overnight. In the morning, add 4 tablespoons of witch hazel. Finally, strain and transfer to a spray bottle. Give yourself a liberal spray.

The verdict:

It actually seemed to help, with noticeably fewer flies hanging around. And it made my partner smell heaps better.

Bottle octopus fly nemesis

Can something that reflects light, repel flies?

The idea: Create something to scare the flies away

Create something that will scare the flies away. Cut the bottom off some plastic water bottles, then cut ribbons into them until they resemble alien jellyfish. Hang them around your tent or caravan to repel flies (and possibly some visitors too.)

The verdict:

Surprisingly, there were fewer flies than before they went out. Weirdly this one is a hack.

Final tally

This is officially a two hacks to one crap result. Happy fly free holidays!

Check out more camping hacks tested and tried by true campers or watch the video below: