Mosquito Mitigation

[mt.eo]

Hi all. I am going over Bishop Pass into Dusy for my first backpacking trip in the Sierra (entering July 11), and I am quite nervous about managing the mosquitos. We are permethrin treating our clothes, bringing bug head nets, and sleeping in tents with bug netting. Does anyone have experience with how pircaridin works in comparison to deet? Additionally, can you use / recommend using both in tandem? Are there any tips or techniques you all have to have a more enjoyable trip during this time? I've heard Dusy can get especially bad. Should I try for a less bug-infested trailhead 2 weeks before the trip, or will it all be pretty bad? Thank you!

[c9h13no3]

DEET is your best bet. Some people don’t like the smell or taste, if that’s you try permethrin.

Selecting a campsite far from water with wind exposure is usually the ticket. Even some lakes will be okay from wind exposure and/or enough mosquito predators, but I wouldn’t bet on it. For example, I’d look for campsites on the flat areas near the spot elevation of 11603 in Dusy Basin. And I’d rather climb Mt Agassiz than explore lake 10,742.

[maverick]

viewtopic.php?t=7828&hilit=Mosquito+avo ... techniques

[FrankPS]

One of the ways to lessen exposure to mosquitoes is to go later in the year. In mid-August, they start diminishing. By September, they are almost gone. Although I backpack in July also, I know that it is prime season for skeeters.

Time of year is only one factor in the mosquito avoidance, but it's something to consider when planning a backpacking trip.

As said above, DEET is the single best repellent.

[freestone]

I was in a mosquito hell zone last year and it seemed like when I applied the Deet with my sunscreen lotion, they became less active around my face. That's the only area with exposed skin, unless I am wearing a sun mask which also helps because they can't get their tube thru it. I choose clothing for that feature as well. Tight synthetic weaves seem to be the best. Levi 501s too. Spraying Deet on my clothing didn't seem to be very effective. Avoid flesh tone colors, recent research points to a color component when they are on the hunt for blood as well as the smell of carbon dioxide. I have never tried treated clothing, I know it's effective for ticks but the Sierra doesn't have that problem, thank god.

[Wandering Daisy]

Deet will damage clothing, nylon in particular. Although I take Deet or Picardin, after a few uses I cannot stand it. Mostly a matter of smell- it just about makes me puke. Clothing and head net are my main defense. You have to have a tight seal around your pantlegs or the bugs will just crawl up from your ankles. I am a big fan of gaiters. They even have what is called a "neck gaiter". You can take some Velcro strips or wide rubber bands and put around your shirt cuffs.

I have been pleased with "Bugs Off" clothing. I really think it makes a difference. You can buy spray-on or wash-in repellants, but the clothing made with it woven in will stand many more washings. Ex-Officio makes these as "travel clothes" intended for the tropics. Kerchiefs and hats are also available in repellent treated clothing.

Some locations in Dusy Basin are mosquito prone, but there are plenty of windy locations to camp, away from trees, out in the open. A day-hike to Barrett Lakes would be a good activity. Dusy has good fishing but I prefer to keep moving and day-hike if there are mosquitoes.

There are some streams up on Bishop Pass and flat ground, where you can camp. The lakes east of the pass are also very bad for mosquitoes, maybe even worse than Dusy.

And there is a possibility that with the snow quickly melting and a forecast "heat dome" for early June, the mosquitoes may be less of a problem this year in early July.

[jimmyjamhikes]

Early season trips are also a good way to avoid mosquitoes. In most places you have about a 2 week window between the retreat of the snow and the onset of the mosquito bloom. I will be doing a trip next week in southern SEKI at about 10,000 feet and I am not expecting to see many mosquitoes at all.

[mt.eo]

DEET is your best bet. Some people don’t like the smell or taste, if that’s you try permethrin.

Selecting a campsite far from water with wind exposure is usually the ticket. Even some lakes will be okay from wind exposure and/or enough mosquito predators, but I wouldn’t bet on it. For example, I’d look for campsites on the flat areas near the spot elevation of 11603 in Dusy Basin. And I’d rather climb Mt Agassiz than explore lake 10,742.

Solid advice, thank you! I'm going to use permethrin treated clothes and deet on exposed skin. I'll check out that campsite, thanks again!

[mt.eo]

One of the ways to lessen exposure to mosquitoes is to go later in the year. In mid-August, they start diminishing. By September, they are almost gone. Although I backpack in July also, I know that it is prime season for skeeters.

Time of year is only one factor in the mosquito avoidance, but it's something to consider when planning a backpacking trip.

As said above, DEET is the single best repellent.

Yep, I figured. I have 3 Sierra trips planned for this summer, as I live relatively nearby in LA. Just something that the group and I will have to deal with during our first trip. Thank you!

[mt.eo]

I was in a mosquito hell zone last year and it seemed like when I applied the Deet with my sunscreen lotion, they became less active around my face. That's the only area with exposed skin, unless I am wearing a sun mask which also helps because they can't get their tube thru it. I choose clothing for that feature as well. Tight synthetic weaves seem to be the best. Levi 501s too. Spraying Deet on my clothing didn't seem to be very effective. Avoid flesh tone colors, recent research points to a color component when they are on the hunt for blood as well as the smell of carbon dioxide. I have never tried treated clothing, I know it's effective for ticks but the Sierra doesn't have that problem, thank god.

Thank you! I'll definitely be wearing pants, and now I'll be aware of my color choices for clothes.