Bug spray needed in Alaska?

[bobbiwoz]

Does DCL provide if bug spray is needed?
I am asking for friends who are going in just two weeks.

 

[Calantha]

Does DCL provide if bug spray is needed?
I am asking for friends who are going in just two weeks.

We took bug wipes but never needed them. We were there in mid-June though so it might be buggier later in the year?

 

[bobbiwoz]

We took bug wipes but never needed them. We were there in mid-June though so it might be buggier later in the year?

OK.. I guess I will tell her to bring just in case. Better than having to buy on board, I guess.

 

[cedman77]

We went on a hiking excursion in Skagway and it was a warm day. YES you need bug spray. They we’re all over us.

Just to note we just got back from our cruise.

 

[Cheburashka]

We sailed an early June Alaska cruise 5 years ago and never needed it.

 

[minie_meese]

I would bring bug spray. We just got back from Alaska a week ago and in some places, especially hiking paths, even in the snow, they were terrible. The last time we were there we didn't see any. There are many varieties of mosquitoes in Alaska. We saw a lot of the huge ones and we also saw some small ones. The big ones bite but the itching from the bite doesn't last as long as the smaller ones.

 

[Calantha]

From AlaskaTravel.com:
In the more commonly traveled areas of Alaska, several environmental factors help keep mosquitoes at bay. First, there aren't mosquitoes all summer long. They're most prevalent after a hatch, with the mosquito population spiking late June through July, and again, briefly, at the beginning of August. They can't fly in a light breeze, so more blustery areas along coastlines and in the mountains can be relatively mosquito free. Mosquitoes aren't as active in rain. Although a drizzly day can come with its challenges, it also can bring some relief.

 

[Mrlogboy]

We went last fall early September, and I was like I just said we brought some but we never needed to use it. We did go excursions that were kind of away from the port way off into the bush and May because it was during the day not like evening early morning we had no issues with any bugs are really.

 

[Marc D]

Outside of the time when Zika was a concern in the Caribbean, we’ve never had DCL provide insect repellent.

We went to Alaska last August and didn’t feel the need to use any.

 

[gatordoc]

Refrigerator magnet we bought on our last Alaska trip

 

[lklgoodman]

We went early June. In Skagway we went on a short hike in the forest and as soon as we got to the forest the mosquitoes were everywhere. We also went canoeing and didn't see them once we got out of the woods. Thankfully I had the repellent wipes and didn't get any bites. We did the Mendenhall Glacier excursion in Juneau and didn't see any mosquitoes(didn't need the wipes). The hike to the glacier isn't as thickly wooded as our hike in Skagway, so that may be why we didn't see any.

 

[tvguy]

Be safe, bring some spray. We've done two Alaska cruises and never noticed an issue with bugs, but as they say, your mileage may vary.

 

[auntlynne]

Whenever / wherever you go - they are not providing sunscreen or bug spray. Pass that on to your friend.

 

[sadiecatie]

I would guess the need for spray will vary with the activities they’re doing - we didn’t need any, but we also weren’t hiking through the woods. DCL will not provide it, so if they’re concerned about it they should bring their own.

 

[Meriweather]

We're coming up to our 8th Alaska cruise in a few weeks......never took bug spray or needed it.
But when it doubt, take it

 

[Mermando]

We’ve done three Alaskan cruises - one in late July and two in late August, one of them DCL. We did not need bug spray despite doing several hiking excursions. Insect repellent has never been provided for us, however, so unless space or liquids is a limiting factor, I would bring something to be on the safe side. We have friends who go to Haines ever summer and the no-see-umms can be brutal.

 

[Sakura1017]

I think it's best to bring it especially if you're doing excursions in forest area. I brought some but forgot to spray. I could have used it in Ketchikan when I was doing the land and sea bear excursion. Or going in sitka to totem national park.

 

[Mags2002]

I have never needed it when I have been in Alaska, but it can’t hurt to be extra prepared!