You could try this poncho (weather shield version at bottom of the page). It's multi-use. I rig mine as a half sock sometimes over the top of the hammock, or you could use it as a second layer underneath. Also the permethrin suggestion is a good one.
You can make it a no-sew option if you only thread the drawstring lines through the hem, I think. (haven't tried just doing it that way though)
"Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities." - Mark Twain
“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” - John Burroughs
The hems are already in the poncho.
The "weather shield" kit includes grosgrain loops to sew on, lines and cordlocks to thread through the hems, and I believe some hook and loop / velcro to also sew on, if desired. It's a very complete kit, but if you want no-sew I think you can still make it work with just the line and cordlocks.
The price is right, anyway, and it also works great as a poncho.
"Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities." - Mark Twain
“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” - John Burroughs
+3 on the poncho.
I use a Dri-ducks poncho with DIY weathershield mod myself. Though, I primarily use it to block wind and splash-up; it should serve the purpose of detering insects as well.
Alternatively you could...
A) Get a second single lay hammock of the same deminsions and re whip them both together.
B) Purchase fabric, of the proper width, about 2ft longer than your hammock's body. Without sewing, you can roll a drawcord up in the ends and whip it altogether with your Byer. The width is gonna be important since you are wanting to avoid hemming those sides. (its not hard, intimidating at first but not hard.) you could also use heat'n bond & an iron to make temporary no sew hems if you must. In this case I would probably recommend a calandered, DWR treated, ripstop nylon; so it gives you the wind & splash resistance as well.
EDIT: Oh! And Permethrin will also go a long way to preventing insect bites through the hammock. I also find, at least for myself, that mega dosing on Vitamin B complex keeps the 'siquitos away. They can't digest it and can smell it through your skin. Garlic is very high in Vitamin B, that's why it is eaten to deter the flying devils.
Last edited by AaronAlso; 03-07-2012 at 11:23.
"Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws." -Plato
All my ideas for you were grabbed by previous posters! I'll list out my favorites for you, have used these all in the BWCA with great success.
1. Permethrin-coated hammock body. #1, hands-down, far and away.
2. Permethrin-coated bug net. Mine is a 5'x7' piece, I drape it over the ridgeline.
3. Using the pad is no problem, I still use pads as my primary insulation. You may also try:
4. A "Garlington Insulator": HERE Essentially a second hammock hung beneath the one you lay on. You put insulation in between the two. Just adding that second hammock seems to trap a lot of heat. It will also serve to keep bugs at bay.
In my previous July/August trips we didn't have black flies, and the times the mosquitos were bad was early AM and in the dusk before full dark. Try a few things in your back yard before you go!
Excellent suggestions!
In response to the question, the Byer's is a single layer of fabric, which makes it easier for the bites to go through.
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