Bugs etc. are not predictable, and it’s hard to know in what areas they are present. But like most, I keep the netting door or doors zipped closed, definitely when sleeping. However, when it’s raining I put the camp chair in the tent, facing out, and open the net doors for my feet and to cook on the stove under the vestibule which is open only part way. In CO and northern NE have never had crawling or flying bugs get in during meals in the rain – maybe they don’t like the rain?
There have been surprises, though. Hiking near the AT just south of the Route 2 crossing in Shelburne NH, camped in a large grassy clearing alongside the trail. Saw a few large spiders, and brushed them out of the tent. But as Diane pointed out, they get on your clothing, and come in with you. Woke up the next day with several unusual bites, concentric circles like a target, and thought, these must be the “bullseye” I’d read about from ticks. Later, a doctor advised they were spider bites, and showed me photos of the orange rashes around a deer tick bite that are often referred to as a bullseye..
In recent years, the deer ticks have been moving northward, and now also populate areas north of the White Mountains. So spray the boots and pant legs with permethrin before heading out. Some others use permethrin impregnated clothing. And of course the choice of DEET for exposed skin. Have had very good luck with that; but have picked up ticks lately if forget to spray, or if walking the dogs off the town roads into large grassy fields so they can run around a bit.
The incidence of bites has multiplied in just the last several years, perhaps due to climate change, but only a few tabs of Doxycycline are prescribed if a doctor or nurse is seen right away within 3-4 days of the bite or bites.. It’s a PITA getting deer ticks out, not just a simple deal with a pair of tweezers like they say in the guidebooks. Some I’ve had to gouge out, taking some of my flesh with the tick. Which may be good, because it reminds me to get medical treatment right away.
The good news when hiking is that the deer ticks predominate in lowlands and marshy areas, and I’ve not picked up any at higher altitudes, above around 2000 feet. There are lots of trailheads in the Whites that are near or above 2000 feet, and if not, it’s just a matter of being careful where the trails go through lowlands, and camping higher up. For water higher up, there are often the headwaters of streams.
