Does anyone go without bugnet?

**Heber** · 04-03-2010, 17:48

I often go without a bug net. The truth is that you only need a bug net for the early evening hours. Mosquitos stop flying once it get quite late. I recall a hike I took last summer where I got swarmed every time I stopped walking. But I didn't bed down until quite late and had no problem without a bug net.

If you like to go to bed early then you will be in trouble. If you go to bed late it's not a problem.

**Shug** · 04-03-2010, 17:55

Minnesota = full bug-net!

**Just Jeff** · 04-03-2010, 18:09

I often went w/o a bug net in California...there just weren't many flying bugs to worry about. Rarely do it on the east coast except for winter. Probably won't do it in the summer here in CO...I've been in the mountains where I was surrounded by huge bugs whenever I stopped walking. I don't know if it's like that everywhere around here, though.

I like the bug bivy idea...just never experimented with it, other than one night with the headnet. That was fine for laying there but hard to keep on me when I rolled over and stuff. There's a pic of that on my bug net page MM linked to.

**Knotty** · 04-03-2010, 18:46

Last time I talked to Vitamaltz he mentioned that he hasn't needed a hammock bug net since he started treating his gear with permethrin.

**Shug** · 04-03-2010, 18:47

Don't mind the bites so much .... but one buzzing in my ear at night makes me crazy)))))))))))))))

**krugd** · 04-03-2010, 19:12

Camping in the MidWest (KY-IN-OH) I never use a bugnet (sometimes carry a seldom used head net.) But when I camp in NH in the summers I need a good net in most locations. It really depends on location.

I had a half-bugnet like is being described when I started tarp camping. It works, though if the evening is very hot you may not want to be under a top quilt.

**Bleemus** · 04-03-2010, 19:34

Permethrin. Soak your hammock in Permethrin and let it dry before the trip. Bugs will die when they land on it before they have time to bite through the fabric, and they'll often avoid the area altogether. Permethrin is dangerous in liquid form, but is pretty harmless once it has dried on the fabric. One treatment should last a season. Ed Speer often uses this method.

"Harmless once is had dried" is pretty funny. Then why do the bugs die?

**boarstone** · 04-03-2010, 19:35

I find my ENO bug net keeps the mice out of my hammock. I"ve got to tweak mine, it's too big. I see pulling it up tighter under my hammock and snip-sew-goo-to-go. Keeping the zipper in it, just shortening it up a tad...I use to use just a sheer panel curtain, sewn on one side and left lose on the other, usually the pocket side was left open. Worked okay, kept bugs out but mice still got in...

**DuctTape** · 04-03-2010, 20:40

One other thing to add, I find that a bugnet helps trap in heat allowing for me to use less hefty top insulation.

**MedicineMan** · 04-03-2010, 21:23

so what temp bonus do you think we get from a bugnet? I know its there and significant...I'm guessing 5 degrees....so I'm doing the math in my head...I carry 1/2 pound extra for 5 degrees and that 1/2 pound can only be used as a bugnet. Now if I carry a 3.5 ounce half-bug net (and wouldn't it be cool if it could also double as a bug head net like Just Jeffs so I get another use...and that other 3 or 4 ounces could be something else in the pack-a luxury item or maybe just extra down in the UQ or TQ....This half-bug net is still going to trap heat right? and where I might need it most-the head/chest area......I'm trying to logicaly motivate someone into making these!