Bugs - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1 
									When sleeping in a open faced shelter in bug season, how do you keep the bugs from chomping?

									_Darrin_
#2 
									I found that most of the time the bugs diminished at night to the point that they were not a problem. I it was a warm night in a buggy area I would set up my tent and skip the shelter. For a while I hiked with a bivy sac that hat a bug net so I could sleep in the shelter in that. Other then that I guess you would have to bury yourself in your sleeping bag and suffer through the night of either being too hot or eaten by bugs.

									_Big B_
#3 
									I've worn my mesh headnet on really awful bug nights.  It kind of sucks, though I don't recommend it.

I ran into somebody with a larger mesh bag that just goes around the top of your sleeping bag. It has a loop so you can tie it to the roof of the shelter to get it off your face. That looked nice.

									_Mrs Joy_
#4 
									you really should carry a headnet and some Deet. In some parts of NY, NJ, CT and especially MA, stopping to take a leak will have you covered in mosquitos - forget about snacking. If you don't mind the risk of growing an extra toe or eye from using the toxic miracle called Deet (20% or so) you can put some on your face at night, it helps a lot. The 100% is particularly nasty - it will melt your plastic watchban and fabrics is overkill. Your lips will go numb if you get it on them. The good news is the critters really subside with elevation gain, so once in Vermont you get a break if you're moving north on the traditional thru-hike calander. Headnets weigh nothing to carry and help maintain some sanity whether its snack time or sleep time. 

									_Postcard_
#5 
									The Animal Planet channel (Must Love Cats show) claimed that Catnip was 10X better than other skeeter deterrants.... I bought some spray (admittedly only about 1% strength or something like that) but it didn't work even in my Houston backyard.... the other natural stuff with citronella & lemongrass worked better, but maybe not in Maine or Alaska!!!

									_gingerbreadman_
#6 
									Pull the headnet up over your mouth, but under your nose, for eating.   Wear also a windbreaker during breaks to keep em off your back, where you can't reach em, or feel em til it's too late (they can easily penetrate your light shirt, but windbreakers are more tightly woven).

									_gingerbreadman_