Bugs

[killerabbit]

I took my boy camping this weekend. I got to enjoy some solitude and he got to enjoy running around and discovering new smells. Everything went well, except the bugs really started to come out after the rain Friday night. Here in the UP we tend to have equal parts black flies and mosquitoes. The itching wasn't really that bad--what I hated was the one mosquito that would find its way into the Disco and buzz around until I killed it. Then another would immediately take its place. So what is everybody's favorite method of insect control? Deet? Smoke? Citronella? Zapper (do they make them battery-powered)?

I left the sunroof tilted for ventilation and had the shades closed for a little bit of a screen. Maybe I should rig an 80mm fan into the gap?

Now here are a couple unnecessary pictures of my delightful mug to pimp Will's services.




Edit: I guess the image thing didn't work. Here's a link to the set if anyone is interested.

 

[I HATE PONIES]

I keep a couple of Bats in the map pockets.

 

[killerabbit]

I keep a couple of Bats in the map pockets.

Ha, at first I pictured baseball bats. You know, for taking out those Jeff-Goldblum-size flies.

 

[rovercanus]

You sure do got some purty lips.

 

[Tugela]

When I was at school in Ann Arbor a biology researcher at UM published an estimate of the mosquito population in the state. His findings included this impressive tidbit, if memory serves correctly:

If you collected all the mosquitoes in the state and packed them into Michigan Stadium (human capacity 110,000) at some density (I forget how tightly packed they were), the result would be a column of mosquitoes 6 miles tall.

You might try buying some mosquito netting in bulk, i.e. cut it off a roll, and make some custom screens to fit over your sunroofs' openings at night. It would be cheap and the time you put into that project will pay off in the extra time you get to sleep. The interior of a Disco is a tricky hunting environment.

 

[wiscodisco]

For the odd flying insect nothing beats a handheld, battery powered, bug zapper...something like this...cheap and effective...

http://www.amazon.com/Lentek-Biteshield-RZ02-Electronic-Racket/dp/B000H7CUSQ/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41CKHEWP1ML._SL500_AA300_.jpg

 

[Tugela]

That thing plus a six-pack of PBR and you have a whole night's entertainment.

 

[peter sherman]

ya you use that fer sceeters on yer pee pee!

 

[killerabbit]

That net idea sounds promising. Maybe over the off-season I'll rig up some screens for my sunroof and windows. I might also check the dollar store for one of those shockers. I'd been hoping to get out to the woods again this weekend, but my to-do list got too long for just Sunday.

That thing plus a six-pack of PBR and you have a whole night's entertainment.

I'll get back to you on this in about a year (I'm a young'n.)

 

[thequickervicar]

I vacation in Algonquin every year. Same mix of insects that you're describing. The ONLY thing that I've found to work is Ben's DEET 100. Not the 30 stuff, but the 100. It will burn your eyes, your lips, & any other sensitive tissue you decide to subject to it. It will also melt plastic. Seriously. I use it sparingly and it works extremely well.

 

[Errant]

Spray some DEET around the edges of the open sunroof. I also spray it on tent zippers to keep the little buggers from flying in when I go in and out.

 

[sideview]

Yeah DEET's good stuff. Also helps with ticks, the UP is high risk for Lyme Disease.

 

[SGaynor]

That net idea sounds promising. Maybe over the off-season I'll rig up some screens for my sunroof and windows. I might also check the dollar store for one of those shockers. I'd been hoping to get out to the woods again this weekend, but my to-do list got too long for just Sunday.


I'll get back to you on this in about a year (I'm a young'n.)

Try this:

http://www.amazon.com/Giant-Outdoor-Tabletop-Food-Cover/dp/B00025BBSI/ref=pd_bxgy_sg_img_b

 

[az_max]

ok, this isn't exactly what you were asking, but I was reading that LED lights don't attract bugs like CFL or Incandescent bulbs. While this won't help with the bugs that find you due to your CO output or campfire, this light will keep from attracting half of the forest to your site.

I also use the battery powered OFF! mosquito repellent.

 

[Goochm]

DEET WILL DAMAGE PLASTIC!!! Don't ask...The netting idea is good, sewn onto some light wire frames (or not) with some self-stick velcro around the sunroof frame.

 

[Two Cold Soakers]

This is the best I've used.
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Ultrathon/Products/

The guy who sold me my first can of Ultrathon ran a riverfront fishing outfitter for 30 years and knew his stuff about standing in a river in the dark in June.
It was the only repellent in his small, well stocked shop.
"Why does it cost so much?"
"Because it works"

I've got a can in my desk drawer right now.

 

[braves6117]

This is the best I've used.

"Why does it cost so much?"
"Because it works"

Thanks for the tip. Going to give it a shot in spring.

And PS, anything Deet 30 has never worked out for me.

 

[kennith]

That thing plus a six-pack of PBR and you have a whole night's entertainment.

Those things work very well, and can be amusing, especially if you hand it to someone and don't tell them it's electrified. :rofl:

Cheers,

Kennith

 

[bri]

DEET is good. It will eat Goretex and other fabrics.

A couple of places that we camp are very bad and mosquitos are the easiest to deter.

I got some Buzz-off clothing and it works well. Now I re-charge those and other clothes with permethrin. Works great for me.

 

[jmonsrvr]

ahhh man, i thought this thread was going to be about lobsters!! anyway get 100% deet, as others have stated put it on your clothes, specifically on the colar, cuffs, pant legs openings, socks by ankles....

if you are having insane problems with insects then 100% percent works well. anything lower works, but when the insects want to eat you its not enough of a deterent. 100% deet works. (for the most part. experienced a few times were nothing worked-immediately after a mosquito bloom-damn that was something else)