I made a ghost hammock. Nice and light, but the skeeters are out. Is there a way to sleep in a hammock without using a bugnet and not get eaten alive?
I made a ghost hammock. Nice and light, but the skeeters are out. Is there a way to sleep in a hammock without using a bugnet and not get eaten alive?
I have no idea, but im curious to know as well.
NONE of the AT shelters have bug netting.
They are sometimes located next to skeeter producing bogs, ponds & puddles.
Hikers survive in them*, & I do not recall ever seeing a hiker set up a personal bug netting.
I would get a reliable bug repellant though.
*I will not sleep in one EVER AGAIN!
When you have a backpack on, no matter where you are, you’re home.
PAIN is INEVITABLE. MISERY is OPTIONAL.
Model-T wrote of setting up his bug net in AT shelters, several times on his thru-hikes, in his book "Walking on the Happy Side of Misery."
It's an urban legend that Avon Skin-so-Soft (or dryer sheets, for that matter) repels mosquitoes. Studies have proven otherwise.
Mosquitoes can bite through snake skin and alligator skin. Normal human clothing is no barrier whatsoever, unless it's treated with Permethrin. Same for hammock fabric, including bug netting.
In short, unless you are immune somehow, you will suffer during bug season without a sufficient barrier or chemical.
Rain Man
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"You can stand tall without standing on someone. You can be a victor without having victims." --Harriet Woods
http://www.MeetUp.com/NashvilleBackpacker
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I have heard they try to avoid flying over moving water. Not sure if that is true or not, but if it is you could hang right over a small creek or something.
Check out the "HUG" bug net. If you Google it you will find Dereck Hansen's website. I think they are $10. If you add hammock forums to the search you will find where he posted instructions for a DIY version. It does work well and mine is only 2.4oz with noseum nano netting.
Or just wear long sleeves and head net to bed.
Jason
"It's better to keep your mouth shut and let people THINK your stupid than to open it and PROVE it" - SFC Kagawa, United States Army (my old platoon SGT)
*Originally -Abraham Lincoln 16th president of US (1809 -1865)
Skeeter activities usually die down a little about an hour or two after sunset anyways. The pick back up at dawn. Depending on your travel/sleep times or habits you may not need anything. MHO
Jason
"It's better to keep your mouth shut and let people THINK your stupid than to open it and PROVE it" - SFC Kagawa, United States Army (my old platoon SGT)
*Originally -Abraham Lincoln 16th president of US (1809 -1865)
Permithrin!!!! That is all...
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