When people think about survival scenarios, their minds usually go straight to food shortages, power grid failure, extreme weather, or civil unrest. Very few people stop to consider one of the oldest threats to human survival on Earth: insects.
The Most Dangerous Insects in the State of New Hampshire: Deadliest Bugs and How a Survival Prepper Prepares to Survive Them
Introduction: Small Creatures, Big Threats in a SHTF World
In the state of New Hampshire, we don’t have poisonous snakes, massive predators, or tropical diseases crawling through the streets. What we do have are insects and insect-like pests capable of spreading disease, causing severe allergic reactions, contaminating food supplies, destroying morale, and slowly breaking down even the most prepared individual during a prolonged SHTF or end-of-times scenario.
As a survival prepper, I want to be very clear about something: bugs kill more humans globally than any other animal on the planet. Not bears. Not sharks. Not wolves. Bugs.
In a modern society with hospitals, antibiotics, pest control, and emergency services, we barely notice them. But when systems collapse, when medical care becomes scarce, and when sanitation breaks down, insects go from annoying to deadly—fast.
This article is designed to help you:
- Identify the most dangerous insects and insect-like pests in New Hampshire
- Understand why they are dangerous
- Learn how preppers can defend against them
- Build long-term insect survival strategies for grid-down or societal collapse scenarios
This is not fear-mongering. This is preparedness. Because survival isn’t just about firearms and food storage—it’s about defending yourself against the smallest threats that can quietly end your life when help is no longer coming.
A Quick Reality Check: What Counts as an “Insect”?
Before we go further, it’s important to clarify something.
Technically speaking:
- Insects have six legs (mosquitoes, flies, wasps)
- Arachnids (ticks, spiders) have eight legs
However, in survival and public health discussions, ticks and spiders are often grouped with insects because they pose similar risks: disease transmission, venom, and infestation.
For practical survival purposes, we will include:
- Insects
- Arachnids
- Stinging and biting pests
Because when SHTF, biology textbooks don’t matter—survival does.
Why Insects Become Deadly When Society Collapses
In a grid-down or end-of-time scenario, insects become more dangerous for five major reasons:
1. Medical Care Disappears
A simple infected bite can become life-threatening without antibiotics or professional treatment.
2. Sanitation Breaks Down
Garbage, waste, standing water, and decomposing material create perfect breeding grounds.
3. Increased Exposure
Survival often means spending more time outdoors, in shelters, or in poorly sealed structures.
4. Malnutrition Weakens Immunity
A weakened immune system struggles to fight off infections transmitted by insects.
5. Psychological Wear-Down
Constant bites, itching, sleep deprivation, and stress slowly erode morale—a silent killer in survival situations.
The Most Dangerous Insects and Pests in New Hampshire
1. Ticks: New Hampshire’s Silent Killers
If there is one pest every New Hampshire prepper must take seriously, it is ticks.
Why Ticks Are Dangerous
Ticks are responsible for transmitting several serious diseases, including:
- Lyme disease
- Anaplasmosis
- Babesiosis
- Powassan virus (rare but severe)
New Hampshire consistently ranks among the highest states for tick-borne illnesses.
Survival Risks in a SHTF Scenario
- No access to antibiotics
- Long-term joint damage and neurological symptoms
- Fatigue and cognitive impairment affecting survival decisions
Prepper Defense Strategy
- Permethrin-treated clothing
- Daily tick checks (mandatory survival routine)
- Light-colored clothing for visibility
- Proper shelter sealing
- Tick removal tools stored in med kits
- Knowledge of early symptoms
Ticks don’t kill quickly—but they cripple slowly, which is often worse in survival conditions.
2. Mosquitoes: Disease Vectors of the Apocalypse
Mosquitoes are not just annoying—they are one of the deadliest creatures in human history.
Diseases Carried in New Hampshire
- Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
- West Nile Virus
While rare, outbreaks do occur, and survival scenarios increase exposure dramatically.
Why Mosquitoes Are a SHTF Threat
- Standing water becomes unavoidable
- Repellent shortages
- Increased outdoor living
- Sleep deprivation from constant biting
Prepper Defense Strategy
- Mosquito netting for beds and shelters
- Long sleeves and pants
- Smoke control (fire smoke deters mosquitoes)
- Elimination of standing water near camps
- Essential oil repellents as backups
- Battery-free traps and physical barriers
In a collapsed world, mosquitoes don’t need to kill you directly. They just need to weaken you.
3. Bald-Faced Hornets: Aggressive Defenders
Often mistaken for large black wasps, bald-faced hornets are actually aerial yellowjackets—and they are extremely aggressive.
Why They Are Dangerous
- Attack in groups
- Will chase perceived threats
- Can sting repeatedly
- Nests often hidden in trees and structures
Survival Scenario Risk
- Severe pain and swelling
- Risk of anaphylaxis without medical help
- Forced abandonment of shelter locations
Prepper Defense Strategy
- Always scan trees and eaves
- Avoid loud vibrations near nests
- Protective clothing
- Night-time nest avoidance
- Relocation rather than confrontation when possible
In survival situations, avoiding conflict is smarter than fighting, even with insects.
4. Yellowjackets: Ground-Nest Nightmares
Yellowjackets are responsible for more emergency room visits than almost any other stinging insect.
Why They Are Dangerous
- Ground nests are easy to step on
- Highly aggressive
- Swarm attackers
- Attracted to food and protein sources
Survival Impact
- Food contamination
- Camp disruption
- High sting count injuries
- Risk of fatal allergic reactions
Prepper Defense Strategy
- Keep food sealed
- Avoid sweet smells
- Mark known nest areas
- Wear boots in tall grass
- Understand seasonal behavior patterns
In a world without epinephrine, multiple stings can be life-threatening.
5. Deer Flies and Horse Flies: Blood Loss and Infection
These large biting flies are common in New Hampshire’s woods and wetlands.
Why They Matter
- Painful bites
- Open wounds
- Persistent attackers
- Potential for secondary infection
Survival Consequences
- Increased risk of wound infection
- Reduced ability to hunt or work
- Mental fatigue from constant harassment
Prepper Defense Strategy
- Head nets
- Light-colored hats
- Sticky traps
- Timing activities outside peak hours
They won’t kill you outright—but they wear you down.
6. Black Widow Spiders (Rare but Present)
While not common, black widows do exist in parts of New England.
Risk Factors
- Venomous bite
- Severe pain
- Muscle spasms
- Dangerous for children and elderly
Survival Strategy
- Glove use
- Shelter inspections
- Shake out clothing and boots
- Keep living areas clean
In a medical vacuum, venom becomes a serious problem.
How Survival Preppers Defend Against Insects Long-Term
Layered Defense Philosophy
A prepper never relies on one solution.
Layer 1: Knowledge
- Know what insects are active by season
- Learn nesting behaviors
- Understand disease symptoms
Layer 2: Clothing
- Treated fabrics
- Full coverage
- Durable boots
Layer 3: Shelter Control
- Sealed cracks
- Screens
- Smoke use
- Elevated sleeping areas
Layer 4: Environmental Control
- Water management
- Waste disposal
- Camp cleanliness
Layer 5: Medical Preparedness
- Antihistamines
- Wound care
- Infection prevention supplies
- Tick tools
Psychological Survival: Bugs Break People
One thing rarely discussed in prepper circles is how insects destroy morale.
Constant buzzing.
Itching you can’t scratch.
Pain that never quite goes away.
Sleep deprivation night after night.
In long-term collapse scenarios, insects contribute to:
- Poor decision-making
- Increased conflict
- Mental exhaustion
- Lower survival odds
Preparing mentally for this reality is just as important as preparing physically.
Final Thoughts: Surviving the Smallest Threats
In New Hampshire, you don’t need jungles or deserts to face deadly insects. You just need time, exposure, and the absence of modern convenience.
Insects don’t care about your gear, your training, or your beliefs. They exploit weakness, negligence, and complacency.
A true survival prepper understands that the end of the world won’t arrive with explosions—it will arrive with small problems that stack up until people can’t cope anymore.
Prepare for the bugs.
Prepare for the bites.
Prepare for the infections.
Prepare for the long fight.
Because survival isn’t about winning—it’s about lasting longer than the threats around you.
TheDailyChristian 