Keeping Your Campsite Critter-Free

Everyone has heard tales of a bear wandering into a campsite looking for food. Popular culture is full of references to bears invading campsites, from Yogi Bear to television commercials. Fortunately, it is very rare for a bear to actually enter a campsite.

Unfortunately, there are other critters that are much more likely to invade your little place in the woods. Raccoons, squirrels and mice are just a few of the most common animals that might wander into your campsite.

The good news is that there are things you can do to protect your campsite from animals and keep it critter-free.

First of all, be selective about where you place your tent. Try to place your tent at least 50 yards from the tree line. If you’re camping deep in the woods, it may not be possible to camp out in the open, away from the wooded areas. If you’re at a campground, however, it may be easier.

Most critters that wander into a campsite do so because they are hungry, and they believe there is food in the campsite. To keep animals from smelling your food, keep it in a cooler that has a locking lid. If it’s practical, hang the cooler from a tree, at least seven feet off the ground. Alternatively, you can keep the cooler in a vehicle.

Never bring your food into your tent. The same is true for toothpaste. Mint attracts certain types of animals, so keep your toothpaste in a sealed baggie or in with our food.

Don’t leave leftover food lying around. Put it away in the cooler. If you don’t want to keep it, dispose of leftover food in the park’s dumpster, or burn it.

Keep your dishes clean. If there are pieces of food on your plates, they will attract critters. This goes for all of your camp cooking utensils, too. It even includes marshmallow roasting sticks.

The smell of fabric softener repels some animals. It also can help to mask the smell of food. Bring some fabric softener sheet and use a clothespin to attach them to your tent ropes, your coolers, and anywhere else that’s practical.