Avoid mosquitoes under tarp?

PropThePolecat

PropThePolecat

Joined
Jan 31, 2009
Messages
3,292
Hey all

Im planning a hiking trip with my stepson here in the near future. Usually i go on solo trips with a MSR Hubba HP tent but this time he's coming with me.

For this trip, instead of investing in a 2-person tent, im thinking about getting a tarp such as Integral Deigns Siltarp or MSR's Twing. Neither of us hahve camped under a tarp before but we're both really into the idea. I can save weight and precious pack-space plus i can imagine one feels alot closer to the wild with just a tarp. The thing is its high season for mosquitoes and i know from personal experience that mossies can break trip in no time.

My question to you guys is what do you do about the mossie problem when camping underneath a tarp? Ive been thinking about using a mosquito net underneath the tarp but i cant really see how im supposed to hang it up...I mean the tarp should be mounted relatively low to the ground right? And that wouldnt leave any place for a mossie-net would it?

Another option would be to wear one of those headnets while sleeping, but that dosent seem like a good solution cos how would we keep it from collapsing unto our heads while sleeping? And if we stick our arms outside the sleeping bags throughout the night we'll get eaten alive.

I'll be buying something to rub on the skin but thats far from enough.

Last question...Is there any special plant/wood/brush that i could burn on the campfire to help keep the mossies away? A kinda natural mosquito repellent? I live in scandinavia so it would be nice if its something available in our part of the world.

Any suggestions or experiences guys?

Regards
Mads
 
If you scan down here http://www.scs-mall.com/mosquito-nets-netting/products.asp?dept=35 you will see a net with a pop-up frame that keeps the netting spread out. (I have no idea if this is a good place to get one or not. Only linked as an example. I have no business reltionship with the company linked.) I have a smaller one that covers the head/chest area, relying on you slleping bag to protect the rest.

Natural? Our government has approved lemon eucalyptus-based repellants (REPEL is one brand) as just as effective as deet products BUT for only 75% as long. Not sure if such repelleants are available where you are. You could try a Google search. (I have no idea if Goggle is a good search engine. Only mentioned as an example. I own no Google stock.)

[Beware of plastic pistols!]
 
I haven't tried this, but there is an email making the rounds that says a mix of listerine & water from a spray bottle will keep mosqitos away--living in Minnesota you would think that I would know whether or not it works but I haven't had a chance to try it yet.
 
Huck61 said:
I haven't tried this, but there is an email making the rounds that says a mix of listerine & water from a spray bottle will keep mosqitos away--living in Minnesota you would think that I would know whether or not it works but I haven't had a chance to try it yet.
Click to expand...

It does not work. Nor does Skin-So-Soft or lemon-scented dish detergent, if you mean by "work" that it repells mosquitoes for any length of time after it dries.

I suppose a constant shower of many things (not including rain) would repel flying insects, so long as the shower lasts.

Deet works. Lemon eucalyptus works.

Lemon eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora) is not the eucalyptus in regular Listerine mouth wash, but perhaps that is where this legend started.
 
I have the same issues with mosquitoes-they can really ruin a good night's sleep, and a trip.

I used a headnet, and kept the rest of my body in my bivouac bag, but the net collapses and lets the bugs bite, and it's annoying to read or even just look around wearing one.

I just bought a small bug net that goes over the head and chest area made by Equinox, I like it so far, but it's probably not a good solution if you aren't solo.

I would suggest something like this: http://www.campingsurvival.com/respmonet.html
Then you could trim it up, and take out the ring in the top, and have a pretty lightweight mosquito netting that you can suspend under the tarp from the ridgeline or from a center point. It should be plenty big enough for two people under it.
 
Basic Anti-Mosquitoes Strategy: Camp in breezy areas such as high ridges and passes and stay away from standing water and groves of trees. Mosquitoes generally leave one alone before dawn and after sunset - I said generally. So I plan my active day before dawn and after sunset such as meal prep etc.

I use a tarp. If I'm resting overnight in a high mosquitoes area then I set it up with everything except my poncho liner or sleeping bag and move away until well after dark. Then I return throw out my bag or liner and crash.

Another thought with a tarp shelter is sometimes I carry a candle lantern with the citrocella (spelling is messed up here) candle and hang it from the inside center loop of my tarp shelter. It provides ample ambient light and runs the skeeters away.

I'm fortunate in owning a bivi bag that has built in skeeter netting over the face and upper torso. Often in the summer I use it standalone without any bag or poncho liner or with liner if the temps drop much below 50 at night. Bivi bag and tarp shelter with good ground insultation is a winner!
 
Last edited:
Make son in law carry the larger tent.

My experience with citronella candles is that they are most effective if you hit the mosquito directly on the head with them.
 
Has anyone tried hanging just a square piece of netting from the same lashing points as the tarp? Maybe tied to a ridge line and then staked out. This seems like the best concept I've come up with but I don't tarp camp so haven't tried it. Or more accurately, haven't had the need to try it.
 
I live an area that is pretty bad with mosquitos, luckily this year hasn't been that bad though *knocks on wood*.

I echo the advice given earlier about making sure to pick the right area to camp as that may make a significant difference in the population of mosquitos. (not near standing water, open area, etc.)

I bought a couple of these OFF brand fans that have repellent in them. I'm not sure if any of you guys have used them before but this things works pretty well. It works best, obviously, with little to no wind but it works. I sat out on my deck for a few hours the other night and didn't get bit once. Granted, as I said earlier, the mosquitos aren't horrible this year but they are still out.

http://www.offprotects.com/clip-on-mosquito-repellent/
 
In Scandinavia I'd opt for the tarptent - you could burn incense, in my experience you'd need way too much of it to notice any effect at all.

All the plants I know to repel mosquitoes only work for rooms - when you have a row of pots at the open window.
 
GhostWolf said:
Hammock, mosquito net, tarp. Makes for a great light weight combo here in Texas.
Click to expand...

Shotgun said:
Has anyone tried hanging just a square piece of netting from the same lashing points as the tarp? Maybe tied to a ridge line and then staked out. This seems like the best concept I've come up with but I don't tarp camp so haven't tried it. Or more accurately, haven't had the need to try it.
Click to expand...

Yep. I drape a mosquito net over the ridgeline for my tarp, and let it fall on either side of the hammock. One could do the same for a tarp rigged on the ground. If you do this, I suggest setting up your tarp and net ahead of time, and trimming off the excess netting.

I have also carried a smaller section of netting (4' x4') and just placed that over my head area when sleeping. That worked, too, so long as I didn't roll around too much.
 
Shotgun said:
Has anyone tried hanging just a square piece of netting from the same lashing points as the tarp? Maybe tied to a ridge line and then staked out. This seems like the best concept I've come up with but I don't tarp camp so haven't tried it. Or more accurately, haven't had the need to try it.
Click to expand...

I found this on my site (not trying to self advertise), it seems to do exactly what you mentioned and can fit two people under it:

http://www.jsknivesnmore.com/bugproof-combo-mosquito-green-double-p-1965.html

I hope this helps, J :)
 
Thanks all for your replies and suggestions. Ill find a way to make a mosquito-net work so i can get out there!
 
Another recommendation is to treat the next with permitheren; not sure if it would affect mosquitos too much, but it helps against others such as ticks and flies.

ROCK6
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top