While setting up my new "gargoylebird" hammock ,I noticed the black flies swarming my extra blue gear bag. Now my daughter wants a purple hammock, (yikes). I'm more than happy to build one, but if certain colors attract insects, I would steer away from them. Just wondered if anyone has tested which colors attract the most bugs? I am excited that she wants to hang, she's 16 going on 20. Would make for great family time.
In my experience, purple doesn't seem to attract insects particularly. (11 yr old has a purple hammock I made her a couple of years ago). So you may be safe with that color. Your mileage may vary, however. We don't have the same black fly problem you may have up there.
"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
Bugs are usually attracted mostly to white I find.
The darker the color the more the bugs are attracted to it.
A google search says bugs are most attracted to blue and the ultraviolet wavelengths. The shorter wavelengths do not attact bugs as much ... at least according to this site.
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasc...1/gen01465.htm
Going off memory this sounds right.I believe most bugs see in the ultraviolet wavelengthOriginally Posted by Hike4WD
I live in an extremely buggy land. Extremely. There's even a local shop that sells mosquito traps (look like little bear traps) so you can catch them and harvest the fur for a nice winter coat...
My experience has been in line with that google search Hike4WD found. Blues, especially dark blues have been the worst.
DIY Gear Supply - Your source for DIY outdoor gear.
Hey neighbor. I have seen those traps. The state bird for Maine is also the mosquito.I live in an extremely buggy land. Extremely. There's even a local shop that sells mosquito traps (look like little bear traps) so you can catch them and harvest the fur for a nice winter coat...
My experience has been in line with that google search Hike4WD found. Blues, especially dark blues have been the worst.
Attroll, Dark colors didnt sound right, Why would every company build their hammock out of brown or green fabric? Blue definetely attracts them and that was on top of my white camper. thanks for replies. Bugs are scary
Appropriate to the weekend... Tim Sample tells a story about the 4th of July Black Fly Festival. All the lovely Maine ladies standing there in bikinis. They are eliminated in the order that they slap them black flies. That's a wicked good story. I didn't mind the mosquitos anywhere near the black flies. Those things raised welts on me some which still exist today.
I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.
"Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn
We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series
Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies
Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks