At least twice a week camp grounds should be thoroughly inspected to
make sure that there are no pest breeding places such as pools of
stagnant water, old tin cans in which water will collect, trash heaps,
and so forth. It is much easier to keep flies and mosquitoes away by
doing away with such places, than it is to exterminate them after they
have come in large numbers. If camp grounds and buildings are cleaned
every day and all waste properly disposed of, there is little danger of
trouble from pests.
In localities where mosquitoes and flies are very troublesome other
precautions should be taken. It might be necessary to have mosquito
netting over the cots at night and fly paper in the kitchen and store
closet. A piece of absorbent cotton saturated in citronella and hung on
the tent poles at either end of the tent will sometimes keep mosquitoes
away as they dislike intensely any strong odor.
If ants get into the kitchen or store closets borax sprinkled on the
shelves will often send them away, or if they are very troublesome
dishes of food can be stood in pans of water.