Dealing With Insect Pests

In the months of September and October trappers are much annoyed by gnats and mosquitoes, and, as a 
preventive against the attacks of these pests, we give some valuable receipts, which have stood the 
test of time, and are still the most effective remedies. The "smudge," consisting of a smoldering pile of birch bark is 
also used where the insects infest the tents or shanties by night. The bark should be dry, and should not be 
allowed to blaze. The smudge is generally placed at the entrance of the tent, and the trapper may then take his
choice between smoke or mosquitoes, both cannot exist together, and a tent infested with the blood-thirsty pests 
may be effectually cleared in a few minutes by the introduction of smoking brand for a few seconds. If the tent is 
now closely buttoned and the smudge kept burning directly outside, there will be no further trouble with the 
mosquitoes, and the odor of the smoke is, after all, but a slight annoyance and to some is even enjoyable after 
being once accustomed to it. When the home shanty is infested, it may be cleared in the same way, and by the aid 
of two or more smudges on the windward side may be kept free from the insects.

INSECT OINTMENTS.
These insects seem to have a special aversion for the scent of pennyroyal—an herb growing commonly in sandy
localities—and a single plant rubbed upon the face and hands will often greatly check their attacks.

The oil of pennyroyal is better, however, and an ointment made by straining one ounce of the oil into two or three 
ounces of pure melted lard, or mutton tallow, forms an excellent antidote. This may be carried in a little box or bottle,
in the pocket, and applied as occasion requires. Plain mutton tallow is also a most excellent ointment for general 
use, and in the case of bruises or slight wounds, will give great relief.

Another preparation in very common use amongst hunters and woodsmen, although not quite as agreeable in odor,
consists of a mixture of common tar and sweet oil, in equal parts. By some this liniment is considered superior to the
other, inasmuch as it also prevents tanning, and is beneficial to the complexion.

During the night time, the tent or shanty often becomes swarmed with the winged pests, and their nocturnal 
assaults are proverbial for their pertinacity and severity. Their thirst for blood overcomes every other instinct, and 
pennyroyal often ceases to have any effect. Our Adirondack guide, in narrating his experience with these insect 
vampires, even says that on a certain night, becoming exasperated at their indomitable perseverance, and, getting 
tired of the monotonous occupation of spreading ointment, he arose, lit his candle, and drove the creatures out of 
the tent. He then buttoned up the opening, and retired to rest. A storm came up in the night, and so completely had 
his canvas been riddled by the bills of the mosquitoes, that the rain poured through his tent as through a sieve.

We have heard of the man who, when pursued by hungry mosquitoes, took refuge beneath a large chaldron, and, 
by the aid of a stone, clinched the bloodthirsty bills as they protruded in quest of his life-blood, until, by the united
efforts of the winged captives, the chaldron was lifted and wafted out of sight, as if it were a feather.

One story is just as true as the other, and a summer in the Adirondack woods will tend to strengthen, rather than 
diminish, the belief in either. 

The smoke of smouldering birch bark will effectually drive away the mosquitoes from the tents at night. This method
is commonly known as "the smudge," and is more fully described in another part of this work. The smell of the 
smoke is often unpleasant at first, but it is always preferable to the insect bites.

Mosquitoes are not the only vampires which infest our wooded lands. The "punkeys" and "midgets" can outstrip 
them for voracity and the painful character of the wound which they inflict. The "punkey," or "black-fly," as it is 
called, is a small, black gnat, about the size of a garden ant, and the bite of the insect often results very seriously. 
The midget is a minute little creature, and is the most everlastingly sticky and exasperating pest in the catalogue of 
human torments. They fly in swarms of thousands, and go for their victim "en masse" and the face, hands and neck 
are soon covered as if with "hay seed." They stick where they first light, and commence operations immediately. All 
endeavors to shake them off are fruitless, and their combined attacks are soon most painfully realized. Their bites 
produce great redness and swelling, and the itching is most intolerable. 

Happily for the woodsman, the "smudge" and pennyroyal ointment are effectual preventives against the attacks of
both midgets and black flies, as well as mosquitoes; and no one who values his life or good looks should venture on
a woodland excursion in the summer months without a supply of this latter commodity. In conclusion, we would 
remark that, to the mosquito the blood of the intemperate seems to have a special attraction, and anyone who 
wishes to enjoy comparative freedom from the attacks of these pests, should abstain from the use of alcoholic 
stimulants. It is a too prevalent idea among trappers that whiskey and rum are necessary adjuncts to a trapping 
campaign, and many a trapper would about as soon think of leaving his traps at home as his whisky bottle. This is 
all a mistake. Anyone who has not sufficient strength of constitution to withstand the hardships and exposures of a 
trapping life, without the especial aid of stimulants, should stay at home. 

We are now alluding to the habitual use of such stimulants. It is always well to be provided with a flask of whisky or
brandy, in case of illness, but it should only be resorted to in such an event. For a mere chill, we recommend the 
use of red pepper tea. A simple swallow of this drink, (made simply by soaking a red pepper in a cup of hot water) 
will restore warmth much quicker than three times the amount of any alcoholic stimulant. It is not our purpose to 
extend into a lengthened temperance lecture, but only to discourage the wide-spread idea that stimulants are
necessities in the life of the trapper. Midgets, musquitoes and punkeys delight over a victim with alcohol in his veins,
and while to a healthy subject the bites are of only brief annoyance, to the intemperate they often result in painful,
obstinate sores.

In addition to the various ointments used, it is well to be provided with a headnet, such as we illustrate. Nets of this 
kind are specially made for sportsmen, and consist of a spiral wire framework, covered with mosquito netting, and of
such a size to slip easily on the head. They are easily made, as our engraving would indicate.

A netting attachment for the hat is also an acquisition, especially in open woods, free from overhanging branches or
dense thickets. Such a netting may be secured to the edge of the hat brim, and gathered with an elastic at the 
lower edge. This elastic will close snugly around the neck when in use, and at other times may be drawn above the 
brim and allowed to rest on top of the crown.

 

The portable hat brim, which we illustrate, is an article of trade in common use among sportsmen, and particularly 
the angler. Our engraving (a) shows the article separate. It is made of cloth, and is kept in its circular shape by a 
steel spring band at the circumference, between the two sides. It may be attached to any hat, and will act as a most 
effectual shelter to the rays of a hot sun.

The netting above alluded to may be attached to such a brim, and applied to the edge of the hat when desired. This
is shown at (b), which also indicates the manner of adjustment of the brim. Such a brim will often do good service, 
and may be obtained at almost any sporting emporium at trifling cost. It is portable in every sense of the word, being
easily bent and packed away in the pocket.

End of Excerpt.
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