Are Bug Nets Needed For Hammock Camping?

If you’ve ever been camping, you know what it’s like to wake up with a little visitor on your face. There are some who don’t mind them at all (I don’t know how). But for others, it’s the reason for waking up from a good night’s sleep (if they got any). In case you are among the latter group, you might want to pick up a hammock camping bug net.

It is absolutely necessary to use a bug net when camping during the rainy or warm summer season, or when there are water bodies or dense vegetation nearby. This is especially true when you are hammock camping rather than tent camping. Not only will you have a more pleasant night’s sleep, but also be protected from any bug-borne diseases.

This article will help you provide an overview of a bug net and why they are necessary.

What Is A Bug Net?

A bug net is a fabric-like enclosure that covers the securely tied hammock. While the mesh allows for free airflow, it blocks pests such as bugs and arachnids from entering your sleeping area.

The purpose of a bug net while camping is to prevent creepy crawlies from invading your interior space while maintaining your level of comfort.

You use a bug net to cover your hammock and protect yourself from insects. When camping near a lake or water body, you should use a bug net because the insects will be much more prevalent. The same thing applies if there is dense vegetation nearby (which attracts more bugs).

Normally, hammock camping trips occur during summertime when mosquitoes are at their peak. With a bug net, you will be protected from these annoying insects so you can enjoy your time outdoors.

Additionally, bug nets are usually made from materials such as polyester, nylon, and cotton, which make them very lightweight as well as convenient to carry in a backpack.

What Are The Benefits Of Using A Bug Net?

The main purpose of a bug net as discussed earlier is to prevent you from getting bitten by bugs, crawlers, arachnids, or even small rodents. The fact that you use a bug net on a hammock also means that you are safe from ground critters, such as hedgehogs, moles, etc.

This is especially important since even a single bite from one of these potentially dangerous pests can ruin your camping experience as well as the experience of those with you. Additionally, it would be frustrating to wake up mid-night after all the camping activities just to clap at some bugs.

One of the main reasons why people opt for a hammock instead of a tent is to stare at the space and stars without obstructions as opposed to a tent with limited visibility.

With that in mind, it will be nearly impossible to stargaze in a hammock while lying near dense fauna without being bitten (provided you don’t have any bug protection).

When compared with other alternatives to stay safe from insects and arachnids (discussed later in this article), bug nets are a lot cleaner and easier to implement, requiring little work or preparation, with only some minor drawbacks.

In a nutshell, here’s a list of all the benefits of using a bug net while hammock camping:

Different Types Of Bug-Net

In terms of their construction, bug nets can be categorized into two types:

Bug Net Already Attached To The Hammock

Most hammocks that come with a bug/mosquito net are made of polyester mesh and are generally effective at keeping insects away.

On one side of the hammock, the net is fixed, while the other side has a zipper for a proper enclosure. Furthermore, the zippers have straps on both sides, so they can be opened from both the inside and outside.

Purchasing a hammock that includes a bug net can be less expensive than purchasing a bug net separately, plus the net provides the same level of protection from bug bites for the entire hammock. In addition, there is no need for assembly or setup since it is already ready to use.

Unfortunately, one of the downsides of using a fixed net is the difficulty of repairing it.

While these nets are quite durable, should they ever get scratched or damaged the only way to repair it would be to stitch them yourself, or else the net along with the hammock would evidently become useless.

Even one open hole is enough for spiders and gnats to enter and cause a nuisance.

In case you’re interested, check out this article about hammock camping on a budget.

Dedicated Hammock Bug Net

Dedicated hammock bug nets, on the other hand, provide a far more practical solution when you own a hammock but no bug net.

Although these are a little bit more pricey than the fixed ones, they are a lot more flexible since they free your hammock of extra weight if you ever intend to hammock camp somewhere with fewer bugs (like a colder climate).

In addition, setting them up is quite simple; you just set up a rope connecting the trees from which your hammock hangs, and use that as a ridgeline for the net to hang, then pass your hammock through the net, and you’re done.

Furthermore, most of these hammock bug nets come with a center vertical zipper and a set of straps on both the inside and outside for convenient access.

You can repair it in the same way as you would fix a bug net; however, it is more flexible since if the net gets scratched during your summer trip, you can leave the hole as it is (not recommended) and still use the hammock for your winter camping adventure.

When Do Bugs Bite Most?

Bug populations increase with hot weather and decrease with cold weather. Since most insects are cold-blooded and cannot cope with colder weather, you can expect large numbers of insects hanging around during the summer or spring seasons, whereas little to none during winter.

Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water, which means whenever it rains or there is a swamp or water body around your camping area, you can expect large swarms of them even during the day.

Additionally, if there is a dense fauna, you will have problems with mosquitoes, as well as all kinds of bugs since they thrive in darkness and have ample food available to them.

Additionally, since mosquitoes become dehydrated when exposed to direct sunlight, the time of day plays a major role in whether or not you get bitten. As an example, expect frequent attacks during early morning hours and before dusk.

Then again, not all insects dehydrate when exposed to sunlight at least to this extent, but in general, you should stay free of insects during peak daylight hours.

In the summer/spring, bugs become more active when the weather gets colder or if there is an outcast. As a result, their attacks are more frequent in the early morning hours after sunrise and right after sunset.

What To Look For In A Bug Net

When purchasing a hammock bug netting, you should look for the following features:

When Is It Safe To Ignore A Bug Net?

While camping in the winter, or in areas that are cold or have snow in their surroundings, you are less likely to be attacked by a bug. Therefore, if you intend to camp in the cold with all your winter gear, such as your top quilt and underquilt, a bug net probably won’t be necessary.

Similarly, if you plan to spend the day in your hammock while sleeping in a tent at night, you can also skip the bug net. Even a bug repellent spray would suffice for this.

That being said, it’s always a good idea to carry a bug net with you in case it suddenly begins to rain out of the blue, which in turn will be followed by swarms of bugs. Assuming you plan only to sleep in a hammock and not a tent, the experience would quickly turn into a nightmare.

Types Of Bugs You Might Encounter Outdoors

Here’s a list of all the most common bugs and arachnids you’ll find during your camping trip:

Alternative Methods For Keeping Bugs Away

Although a bug net is the best way to keep bugs from entering your hammock, it does not mean that you have no other options. Luckily, there are several ways to keep those pesky insects at bay while still enjoying a memorable camping trip.

In the end, it all comes down to personal preference and what works best for your hammock setup. You can also use both a bug net and either of these methods simultaneously if you wish so that no bugs will get into your hammock (though not required).

Of course, there are a variety of other ways in which you can protect yourself against bugs, but these are the most effective for most situations.

Final Thoughts

When camping in a hammock, it’s critical to take precautions to keep bugs and other pests from bothering you and ruining your trip.

The bug net is one of the easiest and yet most effective measures to prevent bugs from bugging you and your family. These nets are very lightweight and portable enough to carry in your backpack to be protected against insect bites.

However, there are other ways to protect yourself from bugs, such as using bug repellent sprays and burning citronella candles, but these are not as healthy as a bug net, which uses no chemicals or harmful substances. Campers and backpackers, no matter what you choose, don’t let those bugs get the better of you!

Anyways, as always, stay safe and happy adventuring!