Hammocking is a great way to relax and enjoy the outdoors, but it can be ruined by pesky mosquitoes. Here are 9 tips to help keep mosquitoes away while you’re hammocking. Whether you’re camping, out on a day trip, or just enjoying your backyard, these simple strategies will help you have a mosquito-free experience.
Note: These tips are mainly geared toward mosquitoes. If you’re wanting general bug prevention tips, check out our article 11 Tips to Keep Bugs Out of Your Hammock or our Beginners Guide for general animal safety while hammocking.
1. Hang your Hammock Away from Standing Water
When finding a place to hang your hammock, look for and avoid standing water. Sometimes it can be nice to be by a stream or lake, but it also serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Typically running water isn’t as big of a concern as standing water.
When setting up your hammock, take a look around and assess your surroundings. If you see any puddles, pools, or other sources of standing water nearby, move your hammock to a different location. Even a small amount of water can attract mosquitoes, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid setting up near any potential breeding grounds.
If you must hammock near standing water, plan on setting up at least 200 feet away from any stagnant bodies of water. Mosquitoes never travel too far from standing water, which will help reduce the number of critters that bother you.
2. Use a Mosquito Net- Maximize Your Comfort and Safety
A mosquito net is a good idea if you’ll be hammocking in an area with many mosquitoes. Not only will a mosquito net provide protection from mosquito bites, but it can also provide a safe area when you’re hammocking or sleeping. You can either use a regular mosquito net and drape it around your hammock or find a retailer that sells mosquito nets that are designed to fit over hammocks.
Mosquito nets are great because they are suspended with a hoop or ridge line over the hammock and wrapped around the hammock’s sides so that no mosquitoes can sneak in. The CDC recommends using a net with 156 holes per square inch to help keep mosquitoes out while you sleep.
Alternatively, you can buy a jungle hammock with a fixed mosquito net. These are becoming increasingly popular and offer excellent protection against mosquitoes. The nets are attached to the hammock at the edges and can be closed up completely, so you can sleep soundly without being bitten. When not using the hammock, the mosquito net can be rolled up and stored away.
For those not wanting to use a mosquito net, there are several other alternatives to effectively repel mosquitoes. Let’s break down a few other options to repel mosquitoes while hammocking.
3. Treat Gear with Permethrin to Repel Mosquitoes
Permethrin is a synthetic pesticide that is used in many mosquito repellents. It works by causing paralysis in the insects’ nervous system, eventually killing them. Permethrin is safe and non-toxic to humans, making it an excellent option for repelling mosquitoes while hammocking.
There are two ways to use permethrin for mosquito control. You can either buy a pre-mixed solution of permethrin spray or go for pure permethrin and mix it up with water yourself.
Pre-mixed solutions of permethrin are typically more expensive than pure permethrin, but they are also more convenient. Simply spray the solution onto your hammock before using it, and reapply as needed.
If you’re using pure permethrin, you’ll need to soak your hammock in the solution for several hours before using it. This creates a robust barrier that repels and kills mosquitoes when they come in contact with your hammocking gear.
A treated hammock will remain effective for up to six weeks, so you won’t need to reapply the solution very often.
4. Use DEET and Natural Insect Repellents
Insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 are effective at repelling mosquitoes. When using an insect repellent, be sure to follow the directions on the label.
DEET is perhaps the most widespread mosquito repellent on the market. It is available in concentrations ranging from 5% to 100%. The higher the concentration of DEET, the longer the repellent will be effective. However, higher concentrations of DEET can also cause skin irritation.
Apply the insect repellent to your skin, ensuring you avoid sensitive areas such as the eyes, nose, and mouth. This creates a solid protective barrier that keeps mosquitoes away. You can also mist your shoes, clothes, hat, or tent with waterproof repellent for extra protection.
For environmentally-conscious outdoor enthusiasts, there are also natural mosquito repellents available. These contain citronella, lavender, geranium, lemongrass, and peppermint oil. While not as long-lasting as DEET repellents, natural mosquito repellents can be just as effective.
5. Wear Protective or Treated Clothing
One of the best ways to prevent mosquito bites is to cover up as much skin as possible. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks when you are outdoors. If it is too hot to wear long clothes, consider treating your clothing with permethrin.
Treated clothing will create a spatial repellency around you, making it difficult for mosquitoes to come into contact with your skin. The repellent will last for several weeks, even after repeated washings.
6. Use a Fan to Blow Mosquitoes Away
Mosquitoes are weak flyers and can’t fly very far against the wind. This makes fans an effective way to keep them away. Simply set up a fan near your hammock and let it run.
The moving air will make it difficult for mosquitoes to fly close to you, keeping them at bay. You can use a battery-operated fan if you are outdoors and don’t have an electric fan. These are small and portable, making them easy to take on trails or hikes.
7. Make a Campfire – Use Smoke to Deter Mosquitoes
Fire and smoke can help to keep mosquitoes away. The smoke will disperse into the air, creating a barrier that mosquitoes cannot cross. Be sure to position your hammock and mosquito net so that it is not directly over the fire, as this could cause them to catch fire.
If you don’t have a fire, you can try burning mosquito coils or citronella candles. These will also help to keep mosquitoes away by creating a barrier of smoke.
8. Clean off Sweat and Don’t Use Fragrances
Surprisingly, mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale and the lactic acid in our sweat. If you want to keep mosquitoes away, it is crucial to mind your body scent.
Take a shower before going outdoors, and avoid wearing perfumes or colognes. Fragrances such as cologne, shampoos, lotions, and soaps attract mosquitoes. So it is best to avoid them if you want to keep these pests away. You should also wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing to help reduce the amount of sweat that your body produces
9. Invest In A bug zapper For Backyard or Longterm Hammock Spots
A bug zapper is a device that uses ultraviolet light to attract and kill mosquitoes. They are small and portable, making them easy to take on your trails. Simply turn on the zapper and position it near your hammock. The mosquitoes will be drawn to the light and then electrocuted when they come into contact with the metal grids.
Can Mosquitoes Bite You Through A Hammock?
Mosquitoes can bite you through a hammock. A mosquito’s nose or proboscis can fit through the fabric of most hammocks and clothing. They can even hover in the air and bit you without landing on your hammock.
Here are several measures you can take to avoid mosquitoes biting you through a hammock:
- Use a double-layered hammock: A double-layered hammock will provide an extra barrier between you and the mosquitoes. This makes it difficult for them to bite you.
- Put an under quilt or sleeping bag on the hammock to increase thickness: If you have a typical single-layered hammock, you can put an under quilt or sleeping bag underneath to increase thickness and make it hard for mosquitoes to pierce your skin.
- Cover up your skin with long sleeves and pants: Wear long, loose-fitting clothes when you’re hammocking to protect your skin from mosquito bites.
- Ensure the mosquito net is taut with no gaps: Make sure that your mosquito net is stretched out tautly with no gaps. This will prevent mosquitoes from slipping through or sticking their proboscis through the fabric to bite you.
- Use mosquito repellent: Apply an EPA-registered mosquito repellent to your skin and clothing to keep mosquitoes away. Repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 are effective at deterring mosquitoes.
In some circumstances, a tent can provide better protection and safety than a hammock could. We’ve created a resource that helps break down the safety benefits between a hammock and a tent. Try giving it a read before you head out on your next camping trip.
What to Do When a Mosquito Bites?
Sometimes mosquitoes are just unavoidable. Fortunately, mosquito bites are generally not dangerous and will usually go away on their own within a few days. If you’re worried about them, some home remedies can help relieve the itchiness and swelling:
- Apply a cold compress: Applying a cold compress to mosquito bites can help reduce swelling and itching.
- Apply a paste of baking soda and water: Mixing baking soda and water into a paste and applying it to the bite can also help soothe it.
- Use an over-the-counter anti-itch cream: Products like calamine lotion can help relieve the itchiness of mosquito bites.
- If you have any severe reactions to mosquito bites, such as hives, swollen lymph nodes, low-grade fever, or significant swelling and redness, it’s best to see a doctor.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hammocking can be a fun and relaxing outdoor activity, but it’s important to take the necessary precautions to avoid being bothered by mosquitoes. By choosing the right location, using a mosquito net, wearing insect repellent, and setting up your hammock properly, you can enjoy a comfortable and mosquito-free experience. With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to relax and unwind in your hammock without worrying about pesky mosquito bites
Having trouble with bedbugs? Check out our article Hammocks and Bed Bugs: Signs and Prevention on how to recognize, get rid of, and prevent bedbugs from getting into your hammock
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