Bug whine: tent advantage?

[pdxhanger]

Went backpacking (with hammocks, of course) in the Oregon Cascade mountains last weekend. As advertised, the mosquitoes were a problem.

One aspect of this that I didn't anticipate was the high volume of the whine of dozens of mosquitoes an inch from my head thru a layer of bug netting. It actually made it hard for me to sleep. I wished I'd brought earplugs! The 2nd night wasn't as bad, as there was a bit of breeze.

It occurred to me that this would probably be less of a problem with most tents, since the distance between your ears and the whining mosquitoes would be closer to a foot than an inch.

Any thoughts? How could this tent advantage be eliminated?

(BTW, I decided that I can find something else to do or somewhere else to camp during the mosquito season. It was miserable!)

[Thom]

Permethrin, or a decent bug repellant.

[nuttysquirrel]

I was up in the wallowas (aneroid lake) last weekend and the horseflies were BAD!!!! I just spray a little bug repellant on the head area of my net, that keeps them away from me.

[boulderv7]

Yeah that does suck. I started spraying my net with permethrin and I always use earplugs because I can be a light sleeper. Noticeably improved with the permethrin though. I hate Skeeters!

[SilvrSurfr]

If you consider that an advantage for tents, you need to go back to the ground!

There's no hope for you.

[MAD777]

Yep, spray the net with permethrin for a bug-free zone.

[ntxkayakr]

I agree with Thom: Permethrin, have it shipped to a Wal-mart store near you for pickup and free shipping; pump or aerosol. Could also buy the small 4 oz cans sold for head lice for about $5 brand name "RID" is basically the same thing and more likely on the selves over by bandaids. Hey my kid just came home from summer camp, I know these things:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sawyer-Per...ingMethod=p13n

Foam Ear Plugs
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Flents-Qui...-20ct/17324930

I grew up in the Amazon Jungle and enjoy the buzz of mosquitos they calm me and put me to sleep, it is the drunks by the campfire up till 3am that I take the foam ear plugs for. Assuming that I am not one of those by the campfire, then I pass them out to others who want to go to sleep early. LOL

I guess you never slept in a bivy or one man tent?

Edit: those links may fail so this is what to google search on:
Sawyer Permethrin Premium Clothing Insect Repellent Pump, 24 oz Typically about $8.50 or less
Sawyer Products Permethrin Premium Clothing Insect Repellent, 9-oz Aerosol about $5 or less
Chemtech 003-1031 Permethrin 10% Ec $16 for 8 oz concentrate to mix your own spray or drench, this is not as easy to do, but popular with hunters etc who treat all their clothes in a bucket. I have also sprayed an entire cabin that was infested with fleas. Some fool took his dog and did not treat before he left, the place was hopping with them weeks later. If you rent cabins spray all the beds, sofa, everything! Better just to sleep in your hammock. Beds are gross. IMO.

[nothermark]

Won't argue with the Permethrin folks but I recall getting enthralled by some setups with a tarp and attached bug net that went to the ground. They were intended for really heavy bug country so one could eat in peace. At least in peace until the bear came sniffing. ;-)

[olddog]

I just lay there I the hammock knowing that if they land on the treated bug net their days/nights are numbered. I 've actually laid in the hammock in Maine and watched them land on the bug net sit there then roll off to hit the ground.

Now to keep the Red Squirrels from singing hallelujah at 4:30 AM with the sunrise. Taking the pellet rifle this year. They learnt the slingshot/whiteman was cause to run but they were still up at sunrise. Hit 4 or the same one 4 times but never killed one.

[sargevining]

You can also get permethrin at feed stores and Tractor Supply. Its used for stables and the like.