Any Summer Tips?

[Hangandy]

I don't know if Permethrin is a US thing, or maybe it's just new or unique to the more hardcore campers, but the last few local campers I've mentioned it to have looked at me with the same vacant look my wife gets when I tell her I made the bury in my whoopie sling too short.

From what I've read it doesn't deter bugs, but kills them quicker than Dutch's Tarp Flyz have been disappearing. Doesn't that mean they still bite you and then get replaced by the next wave of critters? Does it work as well on No-See-Ums?

[NCPatrick]

Tarp pitch is something I play with a lot. Usually it's high, to allow airflow, or even even with half of the tarp flipped back over the ridgeline. That way I can see the stars, but have fast coverage if a shower moves in.

As RootCause says, if there's a prevailing breeze, you can set your tarp to catch it.

If you can camp near water, it's generally a lot cooler down there. Higher elevations are very nice for breezes, but around here there are a lot of thunderstorms in hot weather, and you might not be as safe from strong winds and lightning at that higher elevation as you would be at a lower one.

[dragon360]

Permethrin is not available in Canada for human use as far as I understand it. you may luck out by trying a farming store or some sort of place similar for the larger undiluted versions but I have had no luck.

[Lepmeister]

I had these same thoughts whilst on a cooler overnighter on the weekend.

I now have all new gear since last summer so it will be all "new" again.

I decided that the UQ (a bit heavier than a summer weighted version) would come for the ride and the ends would be left a little looser. Bugnet for sure.. I was running a open gathered end hammock and a bugnet cocoon but now have blackbird and would never go back.

Oh and found the porch mode tarp all night long worked for air and the view.

[PackBacker81]

I don't know if Permethrin is a US thing, or maybe it's just new or unique to the more hardcore campers, but the last few local campers I've mentioned it to have looked at me with the same vacant look my wife gets when I tell her I made the bury in my whoopie sling too short.

From what I've read it doesn't deter bugs, but kills them quicker than Dutch's Tarp Flyz have been disappearing. Doesn't that mean they still bite you and then get replaced by the next wave of critters? Does it work as well on No-See-Ums?

My first exposure to permethrin was 6+ years ago when i was in Forestry school and cruising timber here in the South. From what I gathered, yes, the critters actually had to make contact with the permethrin and were killed by the chemical. We mainly used it for ticks and chiggers and applied it on our pants. My guess is that a mosquito would still have a chance to get to you before the permethrin knocked it down.

[jeroldharter]

+1 on Permethrin. Bug net and cloths too. Used in proper dilution (10%) no harm to humans....

I am no expert, but I think you are way off on the concentration.

The commercial Sawyer permethrin spray that many people use to stray on clothing and hammocks is 0.5%. The standard concentrate that one can buy at farm/garden stores is 10%.

So for practical use, you would mix 1 part of the concentrate with 19 parts of water for a working solution.

[ohski]

I am no expert, but I think you are way off on the concentration.

The commercial Sawyer permethrin spray that many people use to stray on clothing and hammocks is 0.5%. The standard concentrate that one can buy at farm/garden stores is 10%.

So for practical use, you would mix 1 part of the concentrate with 19 parts of water for a working solution.

I agree as I'm using Sawyer this year...

Ski

[brushybill]

i get my permethrin from my local army navy, as for summer camping, i usually do more paddling in the summer months here in south carolina, i have rarely been bothered by bugs on the water and when we camp we stay on the sand bars and out of the woods

[chickenwing]

I always like to go somewhere near water so I can jump in and cool off right before getting in my hammock with the bug netting and the tarp set high and the bug spray handy.