Mosquitoes in Colorado

[dirtbike11811]

Heading to Colorado early September for an elk hunt. Wondering what the bugs are like at night up there 8-10k elevation. Might try hammok camping. Just wondering if I'm going to be needing a net.

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[backcountryshaffer]

Mosquitos & shelters

My son and I will be in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness for the first 10 days of archery elk. I had planned on bringing a floor less shelter but based upon what I have read it sounds like it is wetter than normal and am wondering about mosquitos’? Should I go floorless or bring something with a...

www.rokslide.com

 

[Olsolitaire1]

Yep, sketer's in Colorado, yep, this year for sure! Bug wipes yes work, Deet 30%. Bug nets for hammock yep! I just returned last night to prove it all. Short & sweet!

 

[ragz]

They are hell in Utah at 12k and I don't see them subsiding in a month.

 

[spike camp]

Worst year I can ever remember, as far as skeeters!

 

[MidwesternMountainArcher]

Mosquitos & shelters

My son and I will be in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness for the first 10 days of archery elk. I had planned on bringing a floor less shelter but based upon what I have read it sounds like it is wetter than normal and am wondering about mosquitos’? Should I go floorless or bring something with a...

www.rokslide.com

I was just up in the Zirkel this last weekend (buffalo pass area) and the mosquitoes weren't terrible but they are definitely around as it was a very late spring/summer. i was up on the continental divide trail and there were 5' deep snow banks in spots still.. I am sure they will be gone by opener but there will still be moisture to hold mosquito's i'm sure. I too have a floorless shelter and haven't really noticed bugs at night being an issue for me. i found opening and closing the door is the most common way they get in. but once they follow me in through the door i try and swat them all with my hat and then for some reason the rest of the night its not really an issue even with elevating the skirt to get some air flow. hope this helps!

 

[Still Hunter]

Horse flies in Colorado are quite large. If bitten, you will forget all about mosquitos! I always carry a light pull over face mosquito net with me.

 

[Phaseolus]

In September the mosquito population at 8000’ in Colorado will be minimal and declining daily. One frost and they are gone. One less thing for you to worry about.

 

[jmez]

Been up there scouting a few times in August and nearly get carried off the mountain. Have never been an issue in Sept when I went back to hunt.

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[coloyooper]

Colorado’s state bird is the skeeter LOL!

 

[Tortorelli89]

Got a place in Evergreen CO got destroyed last time I was out there

 

[Dos Perros]

For a couple ounces I'd pack the net this year.

 

[johnhenry]

Its not safe to piss let alone take a dump

 

[Catahoula]

They are thick now but as soon as the first cold night hits with a low enough temp.... gone. But I would certainly be prepared for it though...

 

[mcseal2]

They were terrible on our scouting trip earlier this month. I had my leftover 100% Deet from Alaska and that kept them mostly at bay. We abandoned our first planned campsite when they showed up a few minutes after arriving. We went to a higher and more open area with more breeze to help with them.

 

[dirtbike11811]

Thanks for all the info, I'll be packing my net just incase!!

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[Mosby]

I just got back from camping in Colorado. I didn't need a net but I got bit on arms and legs the first night before I sprayed. Right before dark is the worst. I brought some Citronella candles at Walmart and they really helped. Smoke from campfire really helped as well.

 

[Phaseolus]

September will be much different than August.

 

[TradAg02]

I keep a small bottle of deet in my possibles pouch. The lighter is the only item in my bag, I have used more. Most of the times I have used the deet was with snow in sight and/or temps that were colder than I anticipated seeing any bugs. Stalking in on an animal at last light while getting nailed by skeeters sucks, might as well be prepared.


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[GrumpyHiker]

If anyone here isn't already familiar with Deet, be careful how you use it. It can and has destroyed my paper and Nat Geo maps, will wreck fly line, and ruin waterproof gear.

IMO Deet is very effective but I use it as a last resort. The smell is unpleasant enough let alone making sure I don't get it on any of the above gear. Last time I used it was in the CO Flat Tops and I still had to put on rain gear in 80* sunny weather to keep the skeeters off.

I much prefer Picaridin. The Sawyer brand smells like oranges for only a few minutes initially and it does a great job of keeping the skeeters off. They'll still hang around but they won't land and bite. It is my go-to bug spray for anything other than the worst of the worst (here's to you, Flat Tops!).