When you go for an outdoor activity such as camping, you definitely expect to come across plenty of wild animals. And having a bear ransack at your campsite is without a doubt frightening; mosquitoes are also a nuisance and often have the ability to ruin a peaceful, relaxing camping trip.
In addition to being annoying creatures, mosquitoes often leave you with itchy bites on your skin. In some cases, they carry around with them deadly diseases such as Malaria, Chikungunya, Zika virus, Yellow Fever, and Dengue fever.
Encephalitis and the West Nile Virus are the common diseases spread by mosquitoes in North America. As a result, it is highly essential that you prepare before going for the next camping trip and have plenty of insect repellents.
A hammock is among the must-have things when planning for camping due to its top-notch comfort. However, can a mosquito bite through a hammock? This is a question worth understanding before taking off for your camping trip.
Therefore, in this article, we shall be answering the question; can mosquitoes bite through hammock?
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Can Mosquitoes Bite Through Hammocks?
While hammocks tend to appear mosquito-proof, sitting naked on them gives mosquitoes a biting chance. This is clear evidence that mosquitoes can bite through the hammock. Unlike the mosquitoes we tend to find in our backyards and houses, wild mosquitoes tend to possess a longer and much stronger proboscis.
As a result, it allows them to bypass layers of a hammock and bite you. This will happen especially when sleeping naked or with few clothes on. Fortunately, there are various ways in which you can protect yourself from mosquito bites while camping and relaxing on your hammock.
Protecting Yourself Against Mosquito Bites On A Hammock
The following are ways in which you can protect yourself against mosquito bites while relaxing on your hammock;
Modular Bug Net
In today’s market, you will have access to various designs of bug nets to choose from fixed bug nets to modular bug nets. Usually, a fixed bug net comes fitted permanently on a hammock. This design will not help solve this problem meaning that mosquitoes will still bite you through the hammock.
This is because a fixed bug net has been designed to cover your hammock from the top, not the bottom. This product’s significant downfall is that you will have to carry it with you everywhere you go with the hammock, even if you do not require it.
On the other hand, a modular bug net has been designed to fully cover your hammock hence offering protection against mosquito bites from both the top and bottom. Usually, you will need to purchase a modular bug net separate from the hammock. As a result, you will be able to keep the mosquitoes away from you while sleeping.
Permethrin Treatment
Permethrin is a chemical designed to repel bugs. With permethrin, you will keep mosquitoes away and kill insects, ticks, and other bugs that will come in contact with it. This chemical is often used in various insect repellents. Permethrin kills insects by overloading their nervous system. The best part is that this product is safe for use among humans; therefore, you don’t have to worry about your safety while using it.
Applying permethrin on a hammock is pretty much straightforward. You might consider using this chemical on your hammock by soaking in water diluted with permethrin and then let it dry. Once dried, your hammock will not be left with any residue and will remain odorless.
Another way in which you can apply permethrin on your hammock is through spraying over your sleeping area. This process is much more convenient. Any hammock treated with permethrin acts as a powerful shield against mosquitoes.
Using The Right Fabric
When camping in an area that is heavily or moderately infested with bugs, you will need to offer your skin the most protection, and the best way to achieve this is by purchasing a suitable fabric. Having full-length pants along with long-sleeve shirts is vital for offering maximum protection against insect bites.
There is no doubt that mosquitoes can bite through woven and knit fabrics with ease. While it offers top-notch comfort, it is highly advisable not to wear them in areas heavily infested with mosquitoes. However, woven nylon or polyester fabric serves as an excellent shield against mosquito proboscis. Therefore, you should consider choosing such materials in order to have superior protection against mosquito bites.
A Sleeping Bag Or An Underquilt
This also acts as excellent additional protection against mosquito bites. When using a sleeping bag or an underquilt on your hammock, it will offer incredible protection against mosquito bites from underneath your hammock. It acts as an excellent option when camping in areas with extremely low temperatures. With an underquilt or sleeping, you will be able to have extra warmth while protecting yourself against mosquito bites.
On the other hand, using an underquilt or sleeping bag in a hot and humid area tends to be overwhelming. Therefore, you will need to consider this option wisely based on your camping area.
Tips On How To Avoid Mosquito-infested Areas
Staying away from areas infested with mosquitoes is vital, especially during camping. Therefore, to achieve that with the utmost ease, you should consider keeping in mind these critical tips;
Do Not Camp Near Water
Since mosquitoes tend to lay their eggs in open water, you will find them a high number near water. As a result, you should avoid camping near water.
Do Not Use Hygiene Products With A Pungent Smell
This is a vital tip you need to keep in mind since fragrances tend to attract mosquitoes. Therefore, you should avoid the use of scents, including cologne, perfumes, shampoos, lotions, and scented soaps while camping.
Final Verdict
When planning for your next camping trip, you should consider keeping in mind the tips discussed in this article to enjoy a peaceful night without mosquito bites. You might also consider investing in mosquito gadgets such as bug zapper, insect trap, and ultrasonic mosquito repeller if you have extra cash.
As we conclude, we hope that you have found this article beneficial and that we have answered the question; can mosquitoes bite through hammocks?
