Unfortunately, the answer to that persistent question we get is ….. it depends. Bugs are a part of backcountry travel in Alaska, but we try to schedule our trips and plan our destinations to avoid the worst of them.  

So if the answer is “it depends”, what exactly does it depend on? Well, a number of factors: 

1. 1. 1. Time of year
      2. Location
      3. Weather

Time of Year: The first Alaska mosquitoes emerge in mid-June, followed by no-see-ums, biting flies, ‘white-socks’ flies and others. Early June is usually the least-buggy time of the summer, but you trade fewer bugs for a landscape not yet green and the possibility of snow along your route. Likewise late summer, once killing frosts resume typically sees fewer bugs as well. But in late-summer, the trade off is cold nights and cooler days. 

Location: A swampy river delta is going to see far more mosquitos and other bugs than a breezy ridgeline. Fortunately for us at Tundra Travels, we’re mountain people and we go on trips in mountainous regions. This alone means that we are unlikely to see the biblical numbers of bugs that might be found in wetter environments. 

Weather: Temperature, wind, sun and rain all play a part in whether or not you’ll see lots of bugs on your trip. Cold temperatures can freeze and kill bugs. Extremely hot temperatures can also reduce the number of bugs you see – but Alaska is rarely warm enough to really achieve this. Heavy rain can knock down the mosquitoes, but then of course you’re in pouring rain. Best of all is a nice breeze. Of course there are no guarantees when it comes to weather in Alaska, so come prepared to do battle with bugs if necessary.