sunrise in Lapland
Photo by: Terhi Tuovinen

How to deal with the mosquitoes in Lapland

You might find the mosquitoes in Lapland annoying at times, but it’s good to remember that the northern nuisances are just that: unlike some of their southern cousins, the thread-horns of Lapland do not spread any diseases and are not a danger to humans in any way.

Summers in Lapland are warm and sweet, perfect for hiking and biking, and swatting away the hordes of mosquitoes that can spoil an otherwise beautiful day. We collected the best tips for co-existing with the mosquitoes during your trip to Lapland, so that something as small as a mosquito won’t stop you from fully enjoying the summer!

Chill in the city and sun

Mosquitoes prefer forests and shadows, so sunny spots are less likely to have mosquitoes and even without any special protection you’ll be safe in the areas, like Rovaniemi or Kemijärvi. Join the locals enjoying the city life and grab a cold drink on a terrace!

Downtown Rovaniemi
Photo by: Inka Hyvönen

Head to the open areas

This one is a tip learned from the reindeer: open, windier areas usually have less mosquitoes, so look for open spots to rest your legs at when outdoors. The side of an Inari fell is a great place to get away from the buzz.

Reindeer in Lapland
Photo by: Kari Henttunen | Lapland Material Bank

Use repellents

There are many types of repellents available in all the basic supermarkets. Use the stick, spray or scents to keep the mosquitoes away.

Note! Never spray the repellent directly at your face, first spray the top of your hand and then wipe your forehead and other exposed areas. The sprays can also damage some fabrics, so be careful with e.g. stockings.

mosquito spray
Photo by: Inka Hyvönen

Dress accordingly

When hiking the wilderness under the Midnight Sun, it’s a good idea to dress in long-sleeved shirts and long pants to cover your skin. Also, loose clothing works better, since the mosquitoes can bite through tight clothing. Some also say that light colors attract the nuisances less than dark ones, so choose white and other light-colored clothing. If you’re heading out for a longer trip in Utsjoki or to areas such as swamps where more mosquitoes are found, get yourself a mosquito hat! It might not be the most fashion-forward choice, but it will definitely protect you from the mosquitoes.

Mosquito hat
Photo by: Inka Hyvönen

Stay cool

Mosquitoes are drawn to humans based on the heat, shape and the scent of carbon dioxide, so waving your arms around you to get rid of them might actually work to your disadvantage and draw them towards you. Keeping yourself cool and staying calm is thus good way to stay hidden from their radar!

Lakes in Lapland
Photo by: Visit Finland

Be prepared

The reason the stings you get might itch is that most of us are allergic. Best way to fight the itch is thus to treat it like any other allergy: ask the local pharmacy for allergy meds that work especially well to prevent the itch, and treat the stings for example with a suitable cream.

How to deal with mosquitoes
Photo by: Terhi Tuovinen | Lapland Material Bank

Autumn is one of the best times of year to visit Lapland. Colorful trees, brilliant skies, and perhaps best of all: no mosquitoes!