Bugs and tarps

[spiritwalker]

when on a course i built my own aframe shelter woke up in the wee hours for a piddle put my head torch on and the entire ceiling of the shelter was crawling with harvestmen it was a case of switch the light off and fall back asleep...I have also woken up to a 3 slug facial you know there might even be a market for that skin was as smooth as a babies bum when i eventually got all the slime off.....these things dont bother me but put me in a confined space with a wasp and i go medieval its a cross between a fight with the invisible man / going nuts with a baseball bat not caring whats around me until the wasp is dead. To this day i believe my last day on earth will be the day a wasp gets in my car whilst driving.

 

[Bowlander]

Ticks, midges, clegs, Mozzies, slugs, staphylinids, wasps, cockchafers, spiders, daddy longlegs and moths.

Think I'd stick with a tent!

 

[Aussiepom]

Try:

Snugpak jungle sleeping bag with built-in net over the opening, or
Bivi bag with similar netting. Many offerings, but the best one I've used was by Mountain Laurel Designs (Super Bivi I think), or
Army style mossie netting, no need to hang it up, just drape it over the top, or
Simple head net tucked into collar - lightest and cheapest option.

 

[*Dusty*]

There are some things that I really shouldn't read, up until now I have had no issues with creepies but having an ear used as a a hideaway by an errant creepy has started a whole new train of thought.

Earplugs. Foam ones, cheap and block everything out including the noises of beasties.

 

[dwardo]

Bivy bag choked right up with just a small hole for breathing reduces the bug fest.
Best to just not think about it and carry on...

 

[CBJ]

Ive never really been bothered by bugs when sleeping in the hammock apart from the odd spider.

At one of the N.E.S meets 3 of us tried out the shelter we had made and every minute or 2 you would hear a tap on the bivvi bag it turned out to be slugs falling through the leaf litter we had piled up on the shelter. The slime trails were surprisingly hard to get rid of.


atb

Craig

 

[Paddytray]

Slugs are good for your hands according to W.T. Fernie. He published his findings in 1905, stating that chafing of the skin can be relieved with the slime of a slug. So, what do you do? Put the slug on the sore area of your hand and let it crawl around. Once the section has been slimed, you can then let the slug go! . so I quess the little fella did your skin some good even if he wasn't your idea bed mate :aargh4:

 

[Bushwhacker]

Clearing a bare patch to lie on helps. Not possible on grass, but in woods the leaf litter can be swept up into a pile and replaced when you leave.
Scattering a ring of ash from the fire goes some way to preventing slugs.
Not having your headtorch on in your sleeping area, prevents attracting flying insects.
Look around you and above you before setting camp, does any particular flora seem to harbour more bugs than others?

 

[Harvestman]

There are probably bushcraft applications for slugs (apart from as catapult ammo ). The slime is sticky, and largely waterproof. it has to be wiped off, as it does not wash off easily. At a pinch it might make an emergency sealant for a small hole in a tarp of clothing or bag. There are no health concerns that I'm aware of for the slime, at least in the short term.

 

[BJJJ]

Earplugs. Foam ones, cheap and block everything out including the noises of beasties.

Brilliant , hadn't thought of that, I can sleep in peace again.

 

[ex-member BareThrills]

Borah gear bivvy bag with noseeum mesh panel.

http://www.borahgear.com/chestbivy.html

 

[Harvestman]

Earplugs. Foam ones, cheap and block everything out including the noises of beasties.

Including the sounds of your mates sneaking up on your with the intention of placing a slug about your person

 

[unijaw]

I use a DD travel hammock with a tarp even when camping on the ground the netting keeps the bugs off me. Only used it several times however and its worked well sofar. Honestly however when dealing with bugs after the initial shock you get quite used to sleeping with them none of them are going to bite you slugs are awful but as long as your in your sleeping bag/blanket there shouldn't be any skin contact anyway.

 

[Elen Sentier]

There are some things that I really shouldn't read, up until now I have had no issues with creepies but having an ear used as a a hideaway by an errant creepy has started a whole new train of thought.

Me too !!! reminded me of an ancient an horrid Star Trek film :yikes: