Quick answer: most snake and bug problems at camp come down to a few habits. Pitch on open ground away from rock piles, brush and tall grass, wear closed shoes and use a light after dark, and never try to handle or kill a snake. If someone is bitten by a venomous snake, call 911, keep them calm and still with the bite below heart level, and skip tourniquets, cutting, suction and ice, as the CDC’s NIOSH advises. Against mosquitoes and ticks, use an EPA-registered repellent on skin, permethrin-treated clothing and gear, and do a full tick check every evening.
Snakes and insects are part of being outdoors, and the vast majority of encounters end with nothing more than a startled hiker or an itchy bite. A small share do turn serious, though: a venomous snakebite, a severe allergic reaction to a sting, or a tick- or mosquito-borne illness that shows up after the trip.
This guide focuses on prevention and first response at the campsite. It uses guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and its National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Park Service (NPS). It is one part of our guide to staying safe while camping, which covers weather, fire and other emergencies.
Which Snakes and Bugs Matter Most
NIOSH identifies four groups of venomous snakes in the United States: rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths (also called water moccasins) and coral snakes. The first three are pit vipers. Rattlesnakes are found across much of the country, copperheads and cottonmouths mainly in the East and South, and coral snakes in parts of the South and Southwest. Most snakes campers see are not venomous, but identifying a snake at a glance is hard, so the safest approach treats every snake as one to leave alone.
How common are snakebites?
Serious bites are uncommon compared with how many people enjoy outdoor recreation each year, but they do happen. NIOSH estimates that 7,000 to 8,000 people in the United States are bitten by venomous snakes each year and about 5 of them die, and it stresses that prompt medical treatment reduces the risk of death and serious injury. Many bites happen when someone tries to handle, move or kill a snake, which is one more reason to give every snake space.
Camping elsewhere in North America
Venomous snakes live across much of North America, including parts of Canada and Mexico, and the species change from region to region. If you camp outside your home area, read the park or provincial park guidance for that region before the trip, since local first aid advice and emergency numbers may differ.
On the insect side, the main concerns are:
- Mosquitoes, which can spread viruses such as West Nile, which the CDC calls the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States
- Ticks, which can spread Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other illnesses
- Bees, wasps and hornets, found throughout the country, whose stings can trigger severe allergic reactions in some people
- Fire ants, mostly in the Southeast with limited ranges in New Mexico, Arizona and California, according to NIOSH
- Spiders and scorpions, with scorpions found in the southern and southwestern states
Knowing which of these live where you are camping helps you pack the right gear. Park and forest websites often list local wildlife hazards, and rangers at the entrance station can tell you what has been active recently.
Setting Up Camp to Avoid Snakes
Snakes look for shelter, warmth and prey. Rock piles, wood piles, brush, tall grass and leaf litter offer all three, along with the rodents that live there. A campsite chosen with that in mind attracts far fewer visitors.
- Pick an open, cleared spot with short or no grass for the tent
- Avoid pitching next to rock walls, boulder piles, fallen logs and dense brush
- Do not stack firewood against the tent, and look before reaching into a wood pile
- Keep tent doors zipped at all times, even during the day
- Store food in sealed containers or a locked vehicle so it does not attract rodents, which in turn attract snakes
That last point overlaps with good wildlife practice in general. Our guide to storing food safely from bears and raccoons covers containers, lockers and campsite cleanup that keep rodents away too.
Set shoes and boots inside the tent vestibule or in a closed bag at night, and shake them out before putting them on in the morning. NIOSH gives the same advice for scorpions, and it also catches spiders and the occasional small snake that crawls into a warm boot.
Hiking and Moving Around Camp After Dark
Many snakes are most active at dusk and during warm nights, which is exactly when campers walk to the restroom, gather firewood or wander away from the fire. Light changes the odds.
- Use a headlamp or flashlight on every trip after dark, even short ones
- Stay on established trails and paths rather than cutting through grass
- Wear closed shoes or boots and long pants rather than sandals
- Step onto logs and rocks, not over them, so you can see the other side
- Never put hands or feet where you cannot see, such as under ledges or into holes
NIOSH recommends boots, long pants and leather gloves for workers clearing brush in snake country, and that advice translates well for campers gathering wood or moving rocks to level a tent pad.
If You See a Snake
Stop, back away slowly and give it room. Most snakes bite only when they are threatened, stepped on or handled. The NPS advises visitors to keep their distance and never try to catch, move or kill a snake, and many bites happen when people try to do exactly that.
A few specifics help:
- Do not try to identify the snake by getting closer
- Keep children and dogs back, and pick up small kids if the snake is near the path
- Walk around it with plenty of space, or wait for it to move on
- Tell the campground host or a ranger if a snake is staying near a busy area
NIOSH warns never to handle a snake even if it appears dead, because reflex bites can happen after death. That includes snakes that have been run over on a campground road.
Why leaving snakes alone helps everyone
Snake conservation and camper safety point the same way. Snakes eat rodents and are part of the food web in every kind of snake country, from desert washes to eastern hardwood forests. In national parks, federal rules at 36 CFR 2.2 prohibit disturbing wildlife, and NPS pages tell visitors not to harm or kill snakes. Many states also protect particular snake species. Giving a snake space keeps you out of bite range and keeps you within the rules.
Snakebite First Aid: What to Do and What Not to Do
A venomous snakebite is a medical emergency. Antivenom and hospital care are the treatments that work, so the goal at camp is to get help fast and avoid making things worse. The steps below follow NIOSH, American Red Cross and Mayo Clinic first aid guidance. This is general safety information, not medical advice.
What to do
- Call 911 right away. In areas without cell coverage, use a satellite messenger or send someone for help.
- Move away from the snake so nobody else is bitten.
- Keep the person as calm and still as possible, with the bitten area at or below heart level.
- Remove rings, watches and tight clothing near the bite before swelling begins.
- Wash the bite gently with soap and water if available, and cover it with a clean, dry dressing.
- Note the time of the bite and, if possible, mark the edge of the swelling on the skin with the time written beside it.
- Take a photo of the snake from a safe distance only if it can be done without risk.
What not to do
- Do not apply a tourniquet
- Do not cut the wound
- Do not try to suck out the venom, by mouth or with a suction device
- Do not apply ice or soak the wound in water
- Do not give alcohol or caffeine
- Do not try to catch or kill the snake
- Do not let the person drive themselves to the hospital
In the United States, the Poison Help line, 1-800-222-1222, connects you to your local poison control center for advice on bites and stings, but it does not replace calling 911 for a venomous bite. Save the number in every phone before the trip, since a poison control center can also help with insect stings, spider bites and accidental swallowing of repellent. A well-stocked kit and basic training both help in emergencies like this; our checklist of what to pack in a camping first aid kit covers the supplies.
Mosquitoes and Biting Flies
Mosquito bites are more than an annoyance when the species in an area carry disease. The CDC’s prevention advice works the same way at a campsite as anywhere else.
Repellent on skin
Use an EPA-registered insect repellent with one of these active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD) or 2-undecanone. The EPA’s registration means the product has been evaluated for safety and effectiveness when used as directed. Follow the label, including how often to reapply.
The CDC adds a few practical rules. Apply sunscreen first and repellent second. Do not use products containing OLE or PMD on children under 3 years old. For young children, adults should apply repellent to their own hands and then to the child, avoiding hands, eyes and mouth.
Treated clothing and gear
Permethrin is an insecticide used on clothing and gear rather than skin. The CDC recommends clothing treated with 0.5% permethrin, either bought pretreated or treated at home following the product label, and notes that pretreated items can stay protective through multiple washings. Never apply permethrin directly to skin.
Campsite habits
- Wear loose, long-sleeved shirts and long pants at dawn and dusk
- Keep tent doors zipped and check the mesh for holes before the trip
- Pitch away from standing water when possible
- Empty any water that collects in buckets, tarps or tires around the site
Breezy, open sites tend to have fewer mosquitoes than sheltered spots beside still water, so the same open-ground choice that discourages snakes often helps here too.
Ticks
Ticks wait on grass and brush and climb onto people and pets as they pass. The CDC’s prevention steps start before the hike: permethrin-treated clothing, an EPA-registered repellent on exposed skin and staying in the center of trails rather than brushing through vegetation.
The most important step comes each evening. Check the whole body, paying attention to the scalp, behind the ears, under the arms, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs and around the waist. Showering within two hours of coming indoors, as the CDC suggests, can help wash off unattached ticks; at a campground with showers, an evening rinse after a hike fits that advice. Check pets and gear too.
If a tick is attached, the CDC recommends fine-tipped tweezers: grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, pull upward with steady, even pressure, then clean the area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Avoid folk remedies such as nail polish, petroleum jelly or heat. Watch for a rash or fever in the following weeks and see a doctor if either appears.
Bees, Wasps, Hornets and Fire Ants
Stinging insects show up wherever food and sweet drinks sit out. NIOSH notes that social wasps thrive where people discard food, so a clean campsite with covered food and closed trash cans gets far less attention.
Prevention tips from NIOSH include:
- Wear light-colored, smooth-finished clothing
- Skip perfume, cologne and strongly scented soaps and lotions
- Stay calm and still if a single insect flies nearby, since swatting can provoke a sting
- If several attack at once, run away and get into a vehicle or building; do not jump into water, since some insects hover above it
First aid for stings
Wash the site with soap and water. For a bee sting, remove the stinger by wiping gauze or scraping a fingernail across the area, without squeezing it or using tweezers. Apply ice to reduce swelling, and do not scratch.
Watch closely for a severe allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis: trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, hives spreading across the body, dizziness or fainting. Anyone with these signs needs emergency care, so call 911. Campers with a known sting allergy should carry their prescribed epinephrine auto-injector and make sure companions know where it is and how to use it.
Fire ants
Fire ant mounds are easy to step on in open, sunny areas. Check the ground before setting up chairs or a tent. If ants get on the skin, NIOSH advises rubbing them off briskly, since they hold on with their jaws. Seek emergency care for chest pain, severe sweating, shortness of breath, serious swelling or slurred speech.
Spiders and Scorpions
Most spiders at a campsite are harmless. The two that NIOSH flags in the United States are the black widow and the brown recluse. Both tend to hide in sheltered, undisturbed places such as wood piles, sheds, outhouses and gear that has been stored for months.
- Shake out sleeping bags, clothing and shoes before use, especially after storage
- Wear gloves when handling firewood or stacked gear
- Check under picnic tables and inside outhouse seats before sitting
If someone may have been bitten by a black widow or brown recluse, wash the area, apply a cool compress and seek medical care.
Scorpions hide under rocks, wood and debris during the day and come out at night, mainly in dry desert areas of the South and Southwest. NIOSH recommends long sleeves and pants, gloves and shaking out clothing and shoes. For a sting, contact a health care provider or poison center, apply ice without submerging the area in ice water, and stay calm. Bark scorpion stings can be dangerous, especially for young children, so seek care promptly in areas where they live.
After storms and floods
Heavy rain and flooding can push snakes and stinging insects out of their usual spots and into debris piles, picnic shelters and gear left on the ground. The CDC’s guidance after a natural disaster is to avoid contact, wear sturdy boots and gloves, check debris before lifting it, and back away from any snake you find. If a storm hits during a trip, check under tarps, coolers and firewood before reaching in, and shake out boots and sleeping bags before use.
Kids and Dogs
Children are more likely to turn over rocks, poke at holes and wander into tall grass. A short talk on arrival helps: snakes get space, bugs stay outside the tent, and grown-ups get called for anything that stings, bites or slithers. Teach kids to stand still and back away from a snake rather than run toward it.
Dogs are curious, which puts their noses and front legs at risk from snakes and stinging insects. Keep dogs leashed, especially on trails and in brush, and talk to a veterinarian about tick prevention and what to do in a snakebite emergency before a trip. Our first-trip guide to camping with dogs covers leash rules and dog gear.
Risk Management for Snake and Bug Season
A little risk management before a trip turns most of the advice above into habits. It is the same approach park staff and outdoor programs use: know the hazards, reduce exposure and have a plan for the rare bad day.
Before you go
- Read the park or campground page for local snakes, ticks and insects, and any current alerts.
- Find the nearest hospital or urgent care, and check whether your campsite has cell service.
- Save Poison Help, 1-800-222-1222, in every phone, and note the local emergency number if you camp outside the U.S.
- Pack repellent, permethrin-treated clothing, a flashlight for each person, tweezers for ticks and any prescribed allergy medicine, such as an epinephrine auto-injector.
At camp
- Walk the site in daylight and clear gear off the ground.
- Keep tents zipped and food sealed.
- Use a light after dark, stay on paths and watch where you put your hands.
- Agree on who calls for help and who stays with the injured person if a bite or sting happens.
For groups and families
If you camp with a group, scouts or several families, share the plan with every adult and point out who carries the first aid kit and any allergy medicine. A quick five-minute talk on the first evening covers snakes, ticks and stings for everyone in North America, wherever you camp.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you do if a snake bites you while camping?
Call 911, move away from the snake, stay calm and still with the bite at or below heart level, and remove rings and tight items. Do not use a tourniquet, cut the wound, suck out venom or apply ice.
How do you keep snakes away from your tent?
Choose an open site away from rock piles, brush, wood piles and tall grass, keep tent doors zipped and store food in sealed containers so it does not attract rodents.
Which insect repellent is best for camping?
The CDC recommends EPA-registered repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, PMD or 2-undecanone. Use permethrin on clothing and gear, never on skin.
Do snake bite kits with suction work?
NIOSH and the American Red Cross advise against trying to suck out venom, including with suction devices. Emergency medical care is the treatment.
How often should I check for ticks while camping?
Do a full-body check at least once a day, ideally in the evening after time outdoors, and check children, pets and gear too.
What does an allergic reaction to a bee sting look like?
Trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, widespread hives, dizziness or fainting. Call 911 and use a prescribed epinephrine auto-injector if one is available.
How many people get bitten by venomous snakes in the US?
NIOSH estimates 7,000 to 8,000 venomous snakebites in the United States each year, with about 5 deaths. Prompt medical care makes a large difference, so call 911 right away after a venomous bite.
Is it legal to kill a snake at a campground?
In national parks, no: federal rules protect all wildlife, and the NPS asks visitors not to harm or kill snakes. Rules elsewhere vary by state and species, but backing away is safer and nearly always the better choice.
Sources: CDC / NIOSH (Venomous Snakes at Work; Insects and Scorpions at Work; Venomous Spiders at Work); CDC (Preventing Mosquito Bites; Permethrin-Treated Clothing and Gear; West Nile Virus; Preventing Tick Bites; Tick Removal); U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Insect Repellents); National Park Service (snake safety); American Red Cross (snakebite first aid); Mayo Clinic (snakebite first aid); Poison Help line (HRSA); NIOSH, Venomous Snakes at Work (annual U.S. venomous snakebite estimate); 36 CFR 2.2 (wildlife protection in national parks) and NPS park reptile pages; CDC, What to Do to Protect Yourself From Animals After a Disaster.
