Bug nets, how late in the year do you use them

**kipowens** · 10-08-2017, 07:16

I assume it depends on location. I'll be on the AT in NC/GA in a week & was thinking about leaving my bug net behind. Bad idea?

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**dkurfiss** · 10-08-2017, 07:35

Mostly IMO it depends on where you live

I don't stop using a bug net until after a couple of good heavy frosts have hit the area. In No. VA sometimes that is Oct and sometimes it is not until Dec.

**IRONFISH45** · 10-08-2017, 07:47

Tough call. Has the area had a hard freeze yet? Have you treated your hammock to repel pests?

When we lived in that general area the bugs were still out this time of the year.

Here in our part of Oregon there has been so much smoke in the air, most of the flying biters found some place else to be. My net is put away for the next 8 months.

**Chesapeake** · 10-08-2017, 07:49

I use mine until everything is frozen solid outside. I've had one too many spiders try to sleep with me.

**MAD777** · 10-08-2017, 07:56

I'm in Florida. I can easily be 90° in February! Need I say more?

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**abatis49** · 10-08-2017, 10:41

I have hiked the Georgia and southern end of the AT in North Carolina several times in the last few years. These hikes were in May, June, July, and August. I have never needed my bug net, but I always had it with me. This summer my wife and daughter spent 2 weeks at Dockery Lake in North Georgia and they never used their nets. My wife and I just returned from a five-day road trip where we literally circled the GSMNP and only needed our nets on the return home when we spent the night at Pine Glen in Talladega National Forest in East Central Alabama. That one night proved to me carrying the bug nets all those times and not needing them was well worth it. It really depends on where you hike and camp. Bugs have seasons and you can encounter them at any time of the year.

**Brooklyn** · 10-08-2017, 10:51

Hoping to not use mine at the end of the month - Catskills

**TreeDangle** · 10-08-2017, 11:18

All year round.

When I have taken it off, stuff inevitably falls out when getting in/out or shuffling around to get the sweet spot. Also, I would also miss the shelf on my xlc as it's far too useful for storing essentials (whisky flask)

**TrailSlug** · 10-08-2017, 11:22

Year round here as well. When not blocking bugs it also helps to block wind.

**GearJunkie_1307** · 10-08-2017, 11:29

Up to you- I was just on the Blood Mountain section of the AT yesterday trying to squeeze in some outdoor time before Nate & all that nastiness came through. Bug activity is definitely down, but we haven't gotten that first good frost/cold snap just yet, and that's normally when I consider bug season done. If your gear is treated with Permethrin, you might be able to get by without it okay.

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