Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Bugs!

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Bugs!

    I'm very new to camping, but I'm trying to get out with my kids. We've had two outings so far in one-room camping cabins and we've been pretty successful, so I want to try the wild world of camping in a tent.

    My 10-yr-old is not a naturally outdoorsy kid and she tends to freak out about bugs, especially spiders. She did better on our second trip than on our first, so she's making an effort. But I wanted to ask about how to keep the tent as bug-free as possible. If I keep it zipped up when we're not actually entering or exiting, is that enough? I have a little Thermacell lantern that I've used just once or twice, and I would definitely take that along. Any other tips or tricks?

    Thanks so much!

  • #2
    Re: Bugs!

    Originally posted by muffintop View Post
    I'm very new to camping, but I'm trying to get out with my kids. We've had two outings so far in one-room camping cabins and we've been pretty successful, so I want to try the wild world of camping in a tent.

    My 10-yr-old is not a naturally outdoorsy kid and she tends to freak out about bugs, especially spiders. She did better on our second trip than on our first, so she's making an effort. But I wanted to ask about how to keep the tent as bug-free as possible. If I keep it zipped up when we're not actually entering or exiting, is that enough? I have a little Thermacell lantern that I've used just once or twice, and I would definitely take that along. Any other tips or tricks?

    Thanks so much!
    I feel your pain and and wished I dinna have to.
    My darling soon to be 11 y/o DGD has found a new new something to make me wonder: bugs.
    On the bright side she's now contemplating the consumption of cheese whilst considering being a vegetarian of all meats but chicken and clam strips. Told her she was weird and she countered with "No, I'm crazy just like you". Ahhhhhhhhh.. what's not to love?:yes:

    With that out of the way I recommend spraying the tent w/ Sawyer's Permethrin Spray. You can buy it at Walmart's, REI and some other stores. Looks like this:

    https://www.rei.com/product/768970/s...mp-spray-24-oz

    I no longer worry (much) about how long the children leave the tent entrance open. And as I noted while pulling the tent down last week apparently it works even when stale Oreos are found in a Ziploc bag from week 1 of 3:tussor:.
    2017:

    July 3 to July 16- annual kiddo trip
    Aug 2 to Aug 14- adult trip to recover from kiddos' outing. Bring on the Campari!



    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Bugs!

      Originally posted by NYCgrrl View Post
      I feel your pain and and wished I dinna have to.
      My darling soon to be 11 y/o DGD has found a new new something to make me wonder: bugs.
      On the bright side she's now contemplating the consumption of cheese whilst considering being a vegetarian of all meats but chicken and clam strips. Told her she was weird and she countered with "No, I'm crazy just like you". Ahhhhhhhhh.. what's not to love?:yes:

      With that out of the way I recommend spraying the tent w/ Sawyer's Permethrin Spray. You can buy it at Walmart's, REI and some other stores. Looks like this:

      https://www.rei.com/product/768970/s...mp-spray-24-oz

      I no longer worry (much) about how long the children leave the tent entrance open. And as I noted while pulling the tent down last week apparently it works even when stale Oreos are found in a Ziploc bag from week 1 of 3:tussor:.
      Thank you so much! I'm hoping to get an outing planned for September, so I'll give this a try. Much appreciated!

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Bugs!

        Originally posted by muffintop View Post
        I'm very new to camping, but I'm trying to get out with my kids. We've had two outings so far in one-room camping cabins and we've been pretty successful, so I want to try the wild world of camping in a tent.

        My 10-yr-old is not a naturally outdoorsy kid and she tends to freak out about bugs, especially spiders. She did better on our second trip than on our first, so she's making an effort. But I wanted to ask about how to keep the tent as bug-free as possible. If I keep it zipped up when we're not actually entering or exiting, is that enough? I have a little Thermacell lantern that I've used just once or twice, and I would definitely take that along. Any other tips or tricks?

        Thanks so much!
        Good for you for getting out there. It is always nice to hear about new campers. As for the creepy crawlies, I don't like bugs and spiders either and all I do is keep the tent door closed. That pretty much takes care of the problem for me.
        “I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority.”
        – E. B. White

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Bugs!

          Originally posted by James. View Post
          Good for you for getting out there. It is always nice to hear about new campers. As for the creepy crawlies, I don't like bugs and spiders either and all I do is keep the tent door closed. That pretty much takes care of the problem for me.
          Thank you! And thanks for the encouragement. I'm not very adventurous yet, but we're having fun.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Bugs!

            Good for you and it sounds like your kids are getting used to the great outdoors! You may want to be grateful they have a healthy respect for spiders. My 9yo likes spiders, especially very large wolf spiders the size of your hand and she thinks the make great pets. I do not.

            Keep posting about your outdoor adventures!

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Bugs!

              Keeping your light OUTSIDE of the tent helps draw bugs away from it.
              2018: Any way the wind blows; doesn't really matter to me....Too Meee....

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Bugs!

                Most drugstores, box stores, and grocery stores have an "As Seen On TV" section that offer an add on pull aside screen meant to go over a sliding glass door. Put it over your tent/RV door as one more barrier.
                http://www.walmart.com/ip/As-Seen-on...-Mesh/20850476

                Put a scrren house around your tent, if your tent is small enough. I have a 7x7 teepee tent that has a nice inner insect barrier, but I put my 10x10 instant screen house around it for another layer of protection and more shade, too.

                I carry a one person Kamprite Insect Protection tent. It can go on the floor, or on a cot, or air matttress. I can sleep in it inside my Coleman cabin tent or travel trailer if the bugs are bad enough - I had to do this at a campground where the stink bugs were everywhere. It is stand-alone - no need to stake it down - and they can add the rain fly for privacy time. -
                http://www.walmart.com/ip/Kamp-Rite-...ystem/33354322

                I have the Thermacell system and just got nine hour citronella candles for my UCO candlelier -
                http://www.walmart.com/ip/Uco-350407...-of-3/25577132

                Involve them in bug identification. Making the unknown known lessens the discomfort.

                If you have cell service, pull up insect identifiers -
                http://www.insectidentification.org/

                http://bugguide.net/node/view/15740


                Invest in some field guides. Mine are from eBay and second hand stores -
                https://www.amazon.com/Kaufman-Field.../dp/0618153101

                https://www.amazon.com/Field-Insects...g_bs_290102_13

                Download and print out flashcard and collect their sightings at the end of the day -
                https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/40...hcards_web.pdf

                Bring a magnifying glass or use the zoom feature on your cell phone.

                Have them take pictures of the insects and identify them. Look for similarities and differences that they have to explain to you.

                Or, get bug collection kits.
                https://www.scientificsonline.com/pr...FUUdaQodgtkAxQ
                Last edited by actad; 07-28-2016, 08:35 AM.
                - Laura
                Coleman Dome/Instant Cabin Tents, Kamprite IPS, Shasta Oasis 18ft Travel Trailer

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Bugs!

                  I use the "hands on" approach and explain the spider's importance in nature. And yes, these ladies do make fine pets...Until you run out of crickets, LOL!

                  “People have such a love for the truth that when they happen to love something else, they want it to be the truth; and because they do not wish to be proven wrong, they refuse to be shown their mistake. And so, they end up hating the truth for the sake of the object which they have come to love instead of the truth.”
                  ―Augustine of Hippo, Fifth Century A.D.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Bugs!

                    Originally posted by actad View Post
                    Most drugstores, box stores, and grocery stores have an "As Seen On TV" section that offer an add on pull aside screen meant to go over a sliding glass door. Put it over your tent/RV door as one more barrier.
                    http://www.walmart.com/ip/As-Seen-on...-Mesh/20850476

                    Put a scrren house around your tent, if your tent is small enough. I have a 7x7 teepee tent that has a nice inner insect barrier, but I put my 10x10 instant screen house around it for another layer of protection and more shade, too.

                    I carry a one person Kamprite Insect Protection tent. It can go on the floor, or on a cot, or air matttress. I can sleep in it inside my Coleman cabin tent or travel trailer if the bugs are bad enough - I had to do this at a campground where the stink bugs were everywhere. It is stand-alone - no need to stake it down - and they can add the rain fly for privacy time. -
                    http://www.walmart.com/ip/Kamp-Rite-...ystem/33354322

                    I have the Thermacell system and just got nine hour citronella candles for my UCO candlelier -
                    http://www.walmart.com/ip/Uco-350407...-of-3/25577132

                    Involve them in bug identification. Making the unknown known lessens the discomfort.

                    If you have cell service, pull up insect identifiers -
                    http://www.insectidentification.org/

                    http://bugguide.net/node/view/15740


                    Invest in some field guides. Mine are from eBay and second hand stores -
                    https://www.amazon.com/Kaufman-Field.../dp/0618153101

                    https://www.amazon.com/Field-Insects...g_bs_290102_13

                    Download and print out flashcard and collect their sightings at the end of the day -
                    https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/40...hcards_web.pdf

                    Bring a magnifying glass or use the zoom feature on your cell phone.

                    Have them take pictures of the insects and identify them. Look for similarities and differences that they have to explain to you.

                    Or, get bug collection kits.
                    https://www.scientificsonline.com/pr...FUUdaQodgtkAxQ

                    ...I just moved to Colorado; way fewer bitey bugs... (although they seem to be getting worse as more people move here).
                    ... In the desert areas, you do get scorpions and buzzworms though...


                    Originally posted by tplife View Post
                    I use the "hands on" approach and explain the spider's importance in nature. And yes, these ladies do make fine pets...Until you run out of crickets, LOL!

                    Bigger spiders just make a bigger SPLAT!...

                    We are entering August and the flies will start to bite now...
                    Time to put batteries in the electric fly swatter...
                    http://www.harborfreight.com/electro...ter-61351.html

                    ...More for entertainment while camping than anything else...

                    Enjoy!
                    Last edited by Happy Joe; 07-29-2016, 06:37 AM.
                    2006 Jeep Rubicon, TJ; 4.11 gears, 31" tires, 4:1 transfer case, lockers in both axles
                    For DD & "civilized" camping; 2003 Ford explorer sport, 4wd; ARB & torsen diffs, 4.10 gears, 32" MTs.
                    Ground tents work best for me, so far.
                    Experience along with properly set up 4WD will get you to & through places (on existing, approved 4WD trails) that 4WD, alone, can't get to.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Bugs!

                      Originally posted by CecilliaB View Post
                      Good for you and it sounds like your kids are getting used to the great outdoors! You may want to be grateful they have a healthy respect for spiders. My 9yo likes spiders, especially very large wolf spiders the size of your hand and she thinks the make great pets. I do not.

                      Keep posting about your outdoor adventures!
                      Noooo - terrible pets! :no:

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Bugs!

                        Originally posted by Happy Joe View Post
                        ...I just moved to Colorado; way fewer bitey bugs... (although they seem to be getting worse as more people move here).
                        ... In the desert areas, you do get scorpions and buzzworms though...




                        Bigger spiders just make a bigger SPLAT!...

                        We are entering August and the flies will start to bite now...
                        Time to put batteries in the electric fly swatter...
                        http://www.harborfreight.com/electro...ter-61351.html

                        ...More for entertainment while camping than anything else...

                        Enjoy!
                        I just realized that I have never seen a scorpion while camping. Lots in my house though.
                        “I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority.”
                        – E. B. White

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Bugs!

                          Originally posted by actad View Post
                          Most drugstores, box stores, and grocery stores have an "As Seen On TV" section that offer an add on pull aside screen meant to go over a sliding glass door. Put it over your tent/RV door as one more barrier.
                          http://www.walmart.com/ip/As-Seen-on...-Mesh/20850476

                          Put a scrren house around your tent, if your tent is small enough. I have a 7x7 teepee tent that has a nice inner insect barrier, but I put my 10x10 instant screen house around it for another layer of protection and more shade, too.

                          I carry a one person Kamprite Insect Protection tent. It can go on the floor, or on a cot, or air matttress. I can sleep in it inside my Coleman cabin tent or travel trailer if the bugs are bad enough - I had to do this at a campground where the stink bugs were everywhere. It is stand-alone - no need to stake it down - and they can add the rain fly for privacy time. -
                          http://www.walmart.com/ip/Kamp-Rite-...ystem/33354322

                          I have the Thermacell system and just got nine hour citronella candles for my UCO candlelier -
                          http://www.walmart.com/ip/Uco-350407...-of-3/25577132

                          Involve them in bug identification. Making the unknown known lessens the discomfort.

                          If you have cell service, pull up insect identifiers -
                          http://www.insectidentification.org/

                          http://bugguide.net/node/view/15740


                          Invest in some field guides. Mine are from eBay and second hand stores -
                          https://www.amazon.com/Kaufman-Field.../dp/0618153101

                          https://www.amazon.com/Field-Insects...g_bs_290102_13

                          Download and print out flashcard and collect their sightings at the end of the day -
                          https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/40...hcards_web.pdf

                          Bring a magnifying glass or use the zoom feature on your cell phone.

                          Have them take pictures of the insects and identify them. Look for similarities and differences that they have to explain to you.

                          Or, get bug collection kits.
                          https://www.scientificsonline.com/pr...FUUdaQodgtkAxQ
                          Great resources! Thank you!

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Bugs!

                            Originally posted by James. View Post
                            I just realized that I have never seen a scorpion while camping. Lots in my house though.
                            Just get a cheap black light bulb for a fluorescent lantern or flashlight; some (most?/all?) will fluoresce /glow in the dark.

                            Enjoy!

                            (edit); ...I entertain easily...
                            Last edited by Happy Joe; 07-29-2016, 06:56 AM.
                            2006 Jeep Rubicon, TJ; 4.11 gears, 31" tires, 4:1 transfer case, lockers in both axles
                            For DD & "civilized" camping; 2003 Ford explorer sport, 4wd; ARB & torsen diffs, 4.10 gears, 32" MTs.
                            Ground tents work best for me, so far.
                            Experience along with properly set up 4WD will get you to & through places (on existing, approved 4WD trails) that 4WD, alone, can't get to.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Bugs!

                              From Happy Joe, "Bigger spiders just make a bigger SPLAT!...

                              We are entering August and the flies will start to bite now...
                              Time to put batteries in the electric fly swatter...
                              http://www.harborfreight.com/electro...ter-61351.html

                              ...More for entertainment while camping than anything else..."

                              Enjoy!

                              Joe, I think you'd be more happy spending more time in study and less time exterminating. Or put another way, the TERMITE has a natural predator. Can you guess what the name of that predator is? HINT: Per capital, each one eats an average of 2000 insects per year.
                              “People have such a love for the truth that when they happen to love something else, they want it to be the truth; and because they do not wish to be proven wrong, they refuse to be shown their mistake. And so, they end up hating the truth for the sake of the object which they have come to love instead of the truth.”
                              ―Augustine of Hippo, Fifth Century A.D.

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X