How do you keep critters out when tarp camping?

This past summer I was tarp camping and woke up to find a raccoon sniffing my feet (boots on) gave a kick and he was gone in a hurry:)
 
It has been reported that bears will go for the smell of pepper, even OC spray. I've been told to make sure that everything gets washed and hung up high after getting contaminated with OC spray, as it can attract bears for weeks. personally I'd avoid anything food related as a repellent in bear country. in other places though, it may work well.
 
Permethrin works well for ticks, chiggers, mosquitoes, etc. You can treat your clothes and gear prior, and/or take some along to spray around your tarp area.
 
I still use a tarp sometimes, but I mostly use a light tent or swag after waking up with a carpet python sharing my blankets.
 
Got a mate who went to deepest darkest SE Asia last year He now swears by citronella oil mixed with water in a small pump bottle kept the bugs out of his tarp Sprayed on the suspension lines and around the base. and away from his skin. The 80% DEET started to rash his skin after day Ten.
Carl
 
I converted to light wieght fully enclosed tents when I got tied of ground squirrles, frogs, mice, etc. running up and down my sleeping bag while I tried to sleep. One night in Yosemite it was a black bear walking by me. It did not bother me, but I sleep better when I cannot see the bears or feel the squirrles.
 
ron athay comment reminded me of a yosemite experience at twowolame meadows. our bacon was in styrofoam cooler, we awoke later to a crunching sound & she asked "what" i replied its a bear eating our bacon & we are going to let him have it.as mentioned keep food away from sleeping area.
 
paleojoe said:
While we're discussing Tarp products, is anyone familiar with or use the TarpTent?

I've been looking at them for a while, essentially a tarp with footprint and netting. Has an adjustable sides for snow and rain.... Very lightweight...


frontview.jpg




Here's the Company sight: http://tarptent.com/products.html
Click to expand...

I have a REI Gimme Shelter which is like that but w/o the netting that is nice. Small for 2 people but very light and compact.

gimmeshrp9.jpg
 
I have been looking for something with the benefits of a tarp but with a floor and netting but without the cost of a Tarptent. Also don't want to have to carry poles for it want to be able to string it up between trees or make poles onsite and it seems this would a lightweight packagethat fits the criteria:

GoLite Shangri-La 2 Nest Screen Shelter

can be had for $80 at different sites if you are going alone or don't need as much room the Shangri-La 1 can be had for like $50

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___27123

Then you can purchase a nylon tarp to put over it. Sportsmans Guide has a 12x12 one for $30 or you could spring for an extra lightweight Siltarp for $50 - $70 depending on size.
 
You don"t worry about it ,If you are out there doing the sleep on the ground /tarp thing part of it just being as close to nature as possible and not seperating yourself from it . If you use some good common sense and judgement you should be fine but you will have the occasional run in with animals and insects . It's part of it, otherwise I would use a good tent and then I've still had wild boar looking for food bump my tent . It's like asking how do you keep from having an accident while driving , umm luck . but most of them won't kill you . Stay Safe .
 
We made a detachable "Net Tent" from the Ray Jardine kit:

With Net Tent:
IMGP0772.jpg


You can't see it well in that pic, but it has a silnylon floor.

Without (cool weather, after bug season):
IMGP1597.jpg


We've got about 150 nights in it already and it works great. :thumbup: We like it a lot.
 
DON"T run a string with bells or cans around the outside of your tarp. Panicked animals don't have a good sense of direction.
 
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