No bugs out west?

[Violent Hippie]

I've used a waterproof bivy as my only shelter in the Sierra a good bit primarily from 6500 -13000 ft and only experienced some mosquito's near water or marshy areas especially if the prior winter was wet. The wet areas can be REAL bad with mosquito's for months but no other creepy crawlies really . Some rattlesnakes in the lower elevations of the Sierra foothills and coastal ranges of So CA. In a fully enclosed bivy sleeping in heavy mosquito areas is no problem for me.In my experiences in AZ and UT I have seen a good amount of gnarly spiders and scorpions and some rattlesnakes . Ticks are all over the lower elevation (under 6k) in CA and the deer are infested . AZ and UT I've never seen a tick although I know others who have.Western rattlesnakes in my experience are not aggressive at all and I have no problem sleeping in the open in their territory . Nothing compared to the copperheads and water moccasins I've encountered in the SE US.

 

[RoJo]

I have a few rattlesnake stories, but the thread was about bugs.

Never any snakes while sleeping...

 

[Btaylor]

Always amuses me the lack of bugs and snakes in other areas. We have flies gnats wasp yellow jackets hornets scorpions more kinds of spiders than I can name all sorts of plain ol bugs copperheads rattlers and cottonmouths and when they get really bad we have skeeters that can stand flat footed and breed a hen turkey. Thank the good Lord there are mountains to go visit and get away from all this mess and snake boots and thernacell for the rest of the year.

 

[COlineman78]

The guys that rock the tarp a lot spend a lot of time at or above treeline. Sustained winds and freezing nighttime temps year round keep bugs under control. Worst case scenario pitch low to the ground and burn a chunk of bug coil for mosquitoes.

Also, the highest I've ever seen a rattler is 8500 ft, so snakes aren't really a concern either.

 

[Titan_Bow]

I'm from the South so I know bugs. That being said, one of the worst times I've ever had for mosquitoes was above treeline here in Colorado in late summer. I always use an ultralight 1 or 2 man tent, just dont see the benefit of a tarp or floorless shelter until it comes to true 4 season camping where a stove is in play. Otherwise, I love having the option of zipping myself up and not worrying about bugs

 

[40watt]

If I worry about anything, it would be a rattlesnake finding my bag for warmth. I'm from Oklahoma and that is a strong possibility around here. Mosquitoes here are terrible and I'm used to scorpions.
I've yet to hunt out west, but plan to and I will probably be floorless and cautious. It is my hope that a higher elevation would mean a welcome break from so many bugs.