Minimalist Bug Solutions?

The obvious questions are, "How sane are you to begin with? And how much/little would it take to push you over the edge?" ;)

I can go about 40 mosquito bites before I go running off into the night, howling.

I really think this comes down to personal preference (I know, what doesn't?). Some people have a high tolerance for skeeters buzzing around, as well as minimal reaction to bites. One of my hiking buds is impervious to skeeters. They seem to pretty much igmore him and bites literally do not show up at all when he does get them. I'm jealous.

I tried the headnet thing since it was suggested to me as a way to reduce weight, but I woke up a couple times with it (and some skeeters!) resting on my face, and a couple other times with some of it in my mouth. I'm a very active sleeper. ;)

I also tried an inner bug tent, and found that to be on the opposite end of the spectrum: More protection than I need. So, I'd rather carry less weight.

As you might guess, I'm now looking at bug bivies. I don't think bug tents offer much more practical usable space under a tarp; in fact, I think they deduct from it in general (barring Alaska-esque mosquito nightmares). IMO a bug bivy is the best solution for complete bug protection under a tarp.

I have a feeling that to find out what works best for *you*, you might just have to go test it. ;)

Edited for spelling. :)

It seems like my sanity goes in the toilet on the second night. I can use "Iron Will" to power thru at least one night. Second night itching, scratching my left eye is twitching my nerves are frazzled and one buzz- done mind snaps!

Like EriK my mosquito protection has went thru several ups and downs.
Bug Bivy nope not enough protection or room
Minimalist Bug tent nope no room
Pyramid Bug net working for now and I like the room to sit up

Good Luck Max!

Edit: Changed C to K

You could try a mosquito headnet, perhaps one over a baseball cap that might help keep the net off your face.

The next step up would probably be something like the Equinox Mantis; the A16 works well too, but is a bit heavier than the Mantis.

After that, there's the bug bivy/inner net route.

I'm hoping to come up with something MYOG out of tulle one of these days that will be lighter than the Mantis but have at least as much room inside, if not more.

Get one of those large bug nets to that you can tie off to a high point and stake down. It gives you a large, bug free area to stretch out and relax. It's worth the 8 oz.

Don't have to be 8 oz! Check out Sea to Summits Nano Mosquito net, weighs around 3 oz I believe.

BUT it doesn't have a floor. Which might be totally acceptable for the OP. Or you could cinch it up under the edge of a groundsheet and have pretty good full protection.

Might not work too well in A-frame setups unless there is a hang loop in the middle of the ridgeline.

Also, S2S uses a netting called UltraVis mesh, which has less (larger) holes per square inch than No-See-Um and reportedly can let noseeums through (I've only heard this, not tested myself). But it is treated with their Insect Shield repellent.

Food for thought.

YES, they will bite you wherever your head net touches skin!!!! Do no ask me how I know! I spent many years hiking in NY, ME, NH and QC.

I assume you're looking for next summer ('cuz they're all dead in the NE now that it's Fall).

Does MSR still make that little mini-bug bivy that had a teeny 4-pole x-frame and just covered your top half? (You tucked the ends into the opening of your sleeping bag…I used to have one, which I would send you if I could find it (haven't seen it in years…).

I have one of those and have never used it. I plan to try it out next year, assuming I can find it and it doesn't weight a ton (never weighted it).

Equinox makes the Mantis:

http://www.equinoxltd.com/the-gear/sleep-screens/mantis-sleep-screen.cfm

No poles, just attached with a cord

"I have one of those and have never used it. I plan to try it out next year, assuming I can find it and it doesn't weight a ton (never weighted it)."

They are marketed under several names/brands and weigh about 10oz. I have a round-to-it project to see if I can use something like weed-wacker line instead of the poles.

If it's 10oz it will be staying home. Now I have to go find it and weight it. See what you did!

Added:

Mine is only 9.9 oz. I wonder if I could find some aluminium or maybe even carbon fiber replacement poles. The poles are 4.4 oz by themselves. It's way bigger than I remember and something I now what to explore using.

I have the new 2.9 oz nano bug net. I made a tyvek bathtub floor with mitten hooks in the corners to connect the net by attaching its bottom corners (it comes with tie-outpeg loops.) It has an adjustable (shock chord)inner bottom edge and fits perfectly aroundunder a mat. It is very light mesh but during the set up and adjustments I am impressed with its quality.

I am heading out tomorrow on a 13 day (250K) trek into the Labrador wilderness using it and will let you know how it works out. If I like it I will invest in a cuben groundsheetbathtub floor to use with it. It would be a very light combo.

Derrick

PS. Heading to Hubbard Rock for anyone who has read Lure of the Labrador Wild.

Yep Derrick, that's what i have. A 1oz per sq/yd cuben material groundsheet and the S2S Nano net.

I've also thought of turning the cuben groundsheet into a bug bivy by adding a little water resistant fabric at the feet/shin (may up to knee) area, and light netting for the rest with a loop sewed to the top near the chest to pull it off the upper part of body and velcro for the area where i get in.

However, it's kind of nice to have a little sitting space via the S2S net. I don't backpack a lot during the mosquito season but apparently ticks can last pretty far into fall depending on where you live and when the first frost or snows hit. I'm a wee bit paranoid bout ticks and lymes.