Going camping with family in South Dakota... terrified of some bugs, snakes. Can you help me? (Custer: apartment, house)

[aaronstlcards]

Ok, so my family is going camping in South Dakota, and I am really looking forward to it. About once every summer, we go on a really fun camping vacation.

But, there is one problem, I hate snakes and big nasty bugs (spiders, centipedes...). When I say that I hate snakes, I am not joking at all. I am terrified of them. Literally, just the sight of one will freak me out. Like at the zoo in St. Louis, I didn't go in the reptile house because of the snakes, even though they are behind glass. Also, I never really was all that afraid of most bugs, but in the last few years, I really have developed a fear of most of them, mainly spiders, centipedes, worms, and any bugs bigger than a quarter. I know this sounds wimpy, but I don't want bugs to ruin my time.

So, a few questions. What kind of bugs do you have in South Dakota? Which ones are the most common? Where are they concentrated? Which ones can hurt me? Thanks in advance for the help.

[Jammie]

We have actually have a snake thread going and if you read it, you can see I have those same feelings about them.

If you plan on staying in regular campsites and not just parking off the beaten path, you should be fine. I've lived here my entire life and rarely see them. Our only poisonous snake is the rattlesnake and they are West River, but again~you shouldn't encounter one.

For bugs~mosquitoes, flies, gnats, and box elder are a few just off the top of my head. You may want to lotion yourself with clear baby oil several times before you visit. It's greasy so you'll want to shower it off after a couple hours. I've always done that and bugs don't like me. While you're here, just use regular lotion on your arms and legs and you shouldn't be one of their targets.

I'm not sure, but I would think you have more snakes and bugs down there then we have here so it wouldn't be out of the ordinary for you. But I do understand. You live in a house/apartment there and will be in a camper or tent up here.

Have fun camping!!!

[nocatee]

There is nothing in SD that is not in St. Louis (that I know of). If you wouldn't camp there then don't plan on camping here - pretty much the same issues with bugs and snakes.

[MJ1986]

Originally Posted by aaronstlcards

Ok, so my family is going camping in South Dakota, and I am really looking forward to it. About once every summer, we go on a really fun camping vacation.

But, there is one problem, I hate snakes and big nasty bugs (spiders, centipedes...). When I say that I hate snakes, I am not joking at all. I am terrified of them. Literally, just the sight of one will freak me out. Like at the zoo in St. Louis, I didn't go in the reptile house because of the snakes, even though they are behind glass. Also, I never really was all that afraid of most bugs, but in the last few years, I really have developed a fear of most of them, mainly spiders, centipedes, worms, and any bugs bigger than a quarter. I know this sounds wimpy, but I don't want bugs to ruin my time.

So, a few questions. What kind of bugs do you have in South Dakota? Which ones are the most common? Where are they concentrated? Which ones can hurt me? Thanks in advance for the help.

Don't feel bad... I have a huge ant phobia. Other bugs/spiders and even snakes really don't bother me, but ants.. YUCK...

I think you'll be fine. The main bug to worry about is the mosquito.

Where are you camping at?

I go camping a lot (in eastern SD), and have never seen a snake.

[Charles22]

Get a mosquito hat.

[aaronstlcards]

Thanks for the answers, and support.
But, be real honest with me on this question... We will be camping in Custer State Park for two nights in late July/early August. What are the chances that I see a snake, poisonous or not? Just be brutally honest.

[nocatee]

Of course you could see a snake (or bugs)!

When I said there was nothing in SD that is not in St. L I was talking about nasty s&b's. In Custer SP, there are mountain lions, wild burros and buffalo. All potentially deadly.

[DannyBanany]

You probably won't see any snakes in CSP. They tend to stay on the prairies and Black Hills soil is too rocky for them. I'd so the most of your worries will be mosquitoes. Use bugspray or stay around smokers. My mom smokes and bugs never bother her!

[Jammie]

Originally Posted by DannyBanany

You probably won't see any snakes in CSP. They tend to stay on the prairies and Black Hills soil is too rocky for them. I'd so the most of your worries will be mosquitoes. Use bugspray or stay around smokers. My mom smokes and bugs never bother her!

Ok so me and Danny's Mom will protect you.

[aaronstlcards]

Originally Posted by Jammie

Ok so me and Danny's Mom will protect you.

Oh, I appreciate the help .