Uploaded June 2016 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Hate mosquitoes? I do, and this video will show you one way I deal with them when I'm in the bush. This is a very effective bushcraft method for dealing with mosquitoes.
My first exposure to a smudge was many moons ago when my aunt passed away and some native fire keepers came in and smudged her house. Her husband was Chippewa, and after a person passed, it was their tradition to fill the house with smoke in order to purge the house of spirits (or something like that. It was a long time ago :-)
Well, it turns out that smoke is pretty good at purging areas of bugs in general, and that is what a smudge fire is all about. The basic principle is simple; make a smoky fire. Since mosquitoes (and bugs in general) hate smoke, they will keep away from it (for the most part).
In order to contain the smudge and make it portable, I use an old soup can with a wire coat hanger rigged into a handle.
This is also an excellent way to make a coal transportable over long distances. Just keep adding punk wood to the can while you hike.
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If this is your first time with us, my name is Dave, and David's Passage is the name of my vlog. This passage in life started with a desire to share my love of the outdoors with the world. My hope is that those who tune into my videos will be inspired to venture out and enjoy all of creation for what it's worth. This video blog features videos on an array of outdoor-related topics, as well as DIY projects that might just help you more fully enjoy the outdoors. New videos come out on Tuesdays at 3pm EST, so please subscribe and be on the lookout for new content soon!
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To keep up, subscribe and visit: davidspassage.com
Twitter: twitter.com/davidspassage
Facebook: facebook.com/davidspassage
Instagram: instagram.com/davidspassage
Tumblr: davidspassage.tumblr.com
Pinterest: pinterest.com/davidspassage
See you outdoors!
Intro music for this video was written and recorded by myself.
Other music in this video came from the YouTube Creator Studio.
Hate mosquitoes? I do, and this video will show you one way I deal with them when I'm in the bush. This is a very effective bushcraft method for dealing with mosquitoes.
My first exposure to a smudge was many moons ago when my aunt passed away and some native fire keepers came in and smudged her house. Her husband was Chippewa, and after a person passed, it was their tradition to fill the house with smoke in order to purge the house of spirits (or something like that. It was a long time ago :-)
Well, it turns out that smoke is pretty good at purging areas of bugs in general, and that is what a smudge fire is all about. The basic principle is simple; make a smoky fire. Since mosquitoes (and bugs in general) hate smoke, they will keep away from it (for the most part).
In order to contain the smudge and make it portable, I use an old soup can with a wire coat hanger rigged into a handle.
This is also an excellent way to make a coal transportable over long distances. Just keep adding punk wood to the can while you hike.
----------
If this is your first time with us, my name is Dave, and David's Passage is the name of my vlog. This passage in life started with a desire to share my love of the outdoors with the world. My hope is that those who tune into my videos will be inspired to venture out and enjoy all of creation for what it's worth. This video blog features videos on an array of outdoor-related topics, as well as DIY projects that might just help you more fully enjoy the outdoors. New videos come out on Tuesdays at 3pm EST, so please subscribe and be on the lookout for new content soon!
----------
To keep up, subscribe and visit: davidspassage.com
Twitter: twitter.com/davidspassage
Facebook: facebook.com/davidspassage
Instagram: instagram.com/davidspassage
Tumblr: davidspassage.tumblr.com
Pinterest: pinterest.com/davidspassage
See you outdoors!
Intro music for this video was written and recorded by myself.
Other music in this video came from the YouTube Creator Studio.
