This Scouting alumnus and his dad want your summer camp to be mosquito-free

There are very few things that can ruin a campout like mosquitos.

Bad weather? Maybe, if it’s severe enough to force you to change your plans. Bad food? Only if it’s so bad that it literally makes you ill.

But mosquitos? Those tiny terrors can drive a camper mad, especially when they make themselves at home in your tent at night.

Anson Moyer, a Scouting alumnus from Lake Forest, Ill., experienced this firsthand at a Scout campout when he was 12. The mosquito netting setup recommended by the troop leadership didn’t do its job.

“It never really worked,” he says. “They could totally get in underneath and bite you while you were sleeping. And the bottom would hold water if it rained and act as a pool with all your stuff in it.

“I walked out of there with mosquito bites and wet gear.”

Anson discussed the issue with his father, Mike, and the two of them agreed that there had to be a better way.

A year or so later, they released the MosquitOasis Bug Screen Tent, designed specifically to fit on top of the cots and under the tarps commonly provided for Scouts at summer camp.

A family business

Mike Moyer used to work for a company that built fishing tackle boxes, so he knows a thing or two about manufacturing.

Once they got the product right, the Moyers spent several years visiting trade shows and pitching it to retailers.

Now in college, Anson still spends some time promoting the product on the web and through social media, while Mike handles much of the business out of the garage of his home.

Over the years, their basic pitch hasn’t changed: This is a product that, quite simply, just works.

“It’s designed to work on the tents used by Scouts at Scout camp,” Anson says. “And it’s not just something we slapped together. It holds up. Instead of taking an hour to set everything up, it takes 15 seconds. And you’re good for every year your kid is in Scouting.”

The Moyers recently introduced a larger version of their product, called the MosquitOasis Deluxe XL Pop Up Tent And Cover. It comes with a cover for added privacy and a pocket to store gear.

How to decrease the risk of mosquito bites

At their best, mosquitos are annoying pests. At their worst, they can spread dangerous diseases.

Protect yourself from mosquitoes during the day by using the right insect repellent when you are outdoors. Long-sleeved pants and shirts can help too.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you use repellents that are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and that you wear clothing and gear treated with permethrin.

Always follow the product label instructions, and reapply repellent as directed.