We are going to Boundary Waters at the end of July. We are going to be in a 4 person tent. What kind of mosquito netting do you recommend? We are going to be using sleeping bags. Thanks in advance for your help.

I’m a little unclear about your question. Does your tent have or not have netting built into it?

Most modern made tents have “no see um” netting and that’s what you want in netting. It’s usually darker than plain netting and tightly woven.

Don't mess around and get a tent with a mosquito net built in. They say the state bird is the rotisserie chicken but that's not true it should be the mosquitoes as they are bigger and juicier if less tasty. Check out the posts in the forum about bug repellant, head nets etc. Do not underestimate the critters.
Did you mean mosquito netting for like under a tarp or free standing not for sleeping? Lots of good posts there also.

merlyn: "Don't mess around and get a tent with a mosquito net built in. They say the state bird is the rotisserie chicken but that's not true it should be the mosquitoes as they are bigger and juicier if less tasty. Check out the posts in the forum about bug repellant, head nets etc. Do not underestimate the critters.
Did you mean mosquito netting for like under a tarp or free standing not for sleeping? Lots of good posts there also."

We just got some kind of packing list from our Scout troop saying to bring some netting to prevent getting bitten at night. It seems that it makes more sense to get one of these:

ZAP IT! Bug Zapper - Battery Powered (2xAA) Mosquito, Fly Killer and Bug Zapper Racket - 3,500 Volt - Safe to Touch (Mini, Yellow)

Are you sure they aren’t referring to bringing a headnet for when you are out in the evening and at night? Most tents already have this built in.

AluminumBarge: "Are you sure they aren’t referring to bringing a headnet for when you are out in the evening and at night? Most tents already have this built in."

A headnet is what I would recommend, plus a chemical mosquito repellent. A separate bug shelter is really not necessary in most cases. An Original Bug Shirt is a viable option.

I think the scout list is for the basic csnvas wall tent on a platform with cots. Four pokes/sticks zip tied to cot legs .

I wouldn't trust or want to carry that zapper but thermacell products are well regarded.

But get a tent with built in zip up netting.

billconner: "I think the scout list is for the basic csnvas wall tent on a platform with cots. Four pokes/sticks zip tied to cot legs ."

Oh Geez I hope there isn't a troop still sending kids out with a canvas tent.

Either that is an extremely out-dated packing list or they are referring to one of these. $3 and absolutely necessary in my opinion

Your tent should have the screen built in. Once everyone is in for the night, everyone get their headlamp and start a mosquito killing party. Spot a mosquito on the ceiling or walls of your tent? Slap it or squish it against the fabric and keep looking for more until you get 'em all. When you're done, you should be able to sleep in relative mosquito-free comfort.

Otherwise, for during the day, bug spray and a headnet will be all you need, and usually the headnet isn't needed until evening when the skeeters come out.

shorty123: "

merlyn: "Don't mess around and get a tent with a mosquito net built in. They say the state bird is the rotisserie chicken but that's not true it should be the mosquitoes as they are bigger and juicier if less tasty. Check out the posts in the forum about bug repellant, head nets etc. Do not underestimate the critters.
Did you mean mosquito netting for like under a tarp or free standing not for sleeping? Lots of good posts there also."

We just got some kind of packing list from our Scout troop saying to bring some netting to prevent getting bitten at night. It seems that it makes more sense to get one of these:

ZAP IT! Bug Zapper - Battery Powered (2xAA) Mosquito, Fly Killer and Bug Zapper Racket - 3,500 Volt - Safe to Touch (Mini, Yellow) "

Nah, these are much better, just don’t take them into Canada! The Black Fly edition is the only one suited for the north woods.

Black Fly Edition

It’s “Non-toxic and no batteries required” to boot!

I know the scouts used to take the individual nets that cover the area of a cot and are hung from posts. But then they were using cots inside platform tents - and not in the BW. I hope he doesn't expect you to carry a cot back there!

Brux, I don't think you're helping the young Boy Scout. LOL

Jackfish: "Brux, I don't think you're helping the young Boy Scout. LOL"

Me thinks we’re being trolled ;).

If not, as an Eagle Scout, any Boy Scout headed to the BWCA with an electric fly swatter and a tent with no netting cannot be helped!

DuluthPak: "

billconner: "I think the scout list is for the basic csnvas wall tent on a platform with cots. Four pokes/sticks zip tied to cot legs ."

Oh Geez I hope there isn't a troop still sending kids out with a canvas tent.


Either that is an extremely out-dated packing list or they are referring to one of these. $3 and absolutely necessary in my opinion "

Summer camps - tents on platforms. No way a tent with netting is going to survive Scouts for 6 to 8 weeks of summer camp. Definitely not treking.

Made me sad to think of a summer with no Scout camps anywhere.

The tents are supplied by the outfitter. The mosquito net for the tent (packing list item) doesn't make sense. I am going to ignore it. Thanks for your help.

On a separate note, does anyone think that it is useful to treat clothes with permethrin? I know that there are Lyme's Disease carrying ticks in MN.

Permethrin is a good idea! It works extremely well, especially for ticks, mosquitoes and such.

I think they are talking about a head bug net. You definitely need one from May to the end of August.

shorty123: "The tents are supplied by the outfitter. The mosquito net for the tent (packing list item) doesn't make sense. I am going to ignore it. Thanks for your help.


On a separate note, does anyone think that it is useful to treat clothes with permethrin? I know that there are Lyme's Disease carrying ticks in MN."

I wouldn't go in the woods without my clothes being treated any more, lots of other things besides Lyme's you can get. I treat my own and it's easy to do.

shorty123: "The tents are supplied by the outfitter. The mosquito net for the tent (packing list item) doesn't make sense. I am going to ignore it. Thanks for your help.


On a separate note, does anyone think that it is useful to treat clothes with permethrin? I know that there are Lyme's Disease carrying ticks in MN."

I agree with Billconner above - the list was probably for scouts going to summer camp where they often use canvas tents without netting or floors. Your outfitters tents will undoubtedly have built in netting. I also agree you should get headnets, which are especially handy on portages, dusk, or latrine visits! Treat your cloths with Permitherin but don’t worry about ticks too much. Wood ticks and juvenile deer ticks are generally active in the spring and into June, and adult deer ticks in fall until it snows. End of July is probably the lowest possible chance for seeing one.

Permethrin your clothes. Works great