Los Padres Bug Season

[GChristo]

Spurring discussion around the local bug seasons.

I've made two failed camping trips in Sept of 2016 and now Sept 2017 of this year. Last year was at Alamo Mountain, around 6700 ft in the Los Padres NF. This year, again in the Los Padres NF, northwest of Frazier Park, also around 7000 ft.

Both times we stepped out of the vehicle and were instantly SWARMED by countless flies. It was the point where we didn't feel we could get in and out of the car or bug-tent without letting in a cloud of bugs each time. We've agreed on a personal camping ban for Los Padres NF areas near Sept.

Is there a known bug season for Los Padres where it's just suicidal to try to camp? What was interesting is both these locations were mountain peaks, once during a dry season, once during a wet season, both nowhere near running or standing water, and both had similar vegetation and vicinity. Just two months ago I camped the identical site near Frazier Park and had zero bugs. Should have caught a specimen to identify but was too overwhelmed to think about it.

 

[jasxn]

Spurring discussion around the local bug seasons.

I've made two failed camping trips in Sept of 2016 and now Sept 2017 of this year. Last year was at Alamo Mountain, around 6700 ft in the Los Padres NF. This year, again in the Los Padres NF, northwest of Frazier Park, also around 7000 ft.

Both times we stepped out of the vehicle and were instantly SWARMED by countless flies. It was the point where we didn't feel we could get in and out of the car or bug-tent without letting in a cloud of bugs each time. We've agreed on a personal camping ban for Los Padres NF areas near Sept.

Is there a known bug season for Los Padres where it's just suicidal to try to camp? What was interesting is both these locations were mountain peaks, once during a dry season, once during a wet season, both nowhere near running or standing water, and both had similar vegetation and vicinity. Just two months ago I camped the identical site near Frazier Park and had zero bugs. Should have caught a specimen to identify but was too overwhelmed to think about it.

i forgot where we were posted up in Los Padres but during the day a few bugs here and there and then at night once we had the lamp on it was swarmed by moths? to the point where it covered the entire lamp (coleman propane lamp). couldnt eat dinner and just jumped in our tent with the lamp on outside. woke up the next morning packed up and left. the lamp was covered with dead moths/bugs. never again. lol

 

[grave]

A few of us stayed in LPNF back in April and had no issues.

 

[mwray8909]

Even in areas with large amounts of bugs I have found a few things that really help

1) $.90 bug wrist bands.

We hang these off our our awning and a couple at the door of the tent. I think in total we have about 8 of them hung around camp. Well worth the money! And reusable as long as they are stored in a closed zip lock bag that they come in.

2) $12 for 12 bug sticks

We used these when we went back in April with the group. And work like a charm. They burn for up to 12 hours or so. We also used these camping next to a lake and made a world of difference.

3) bug spray

We use outdoors or woodsmen off brand. We spray our chairs, awning, ourselves and front of the tent.


Doesn't mean we have no bugs when we camp but get to a point where we don't notice them! Makes it much more enjoyable!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[outlaws]

I just camped up Mt Pinos CG last weekend and the flies weren't too much of an issue. I've found if flies are an issue, just move somewhere else until there aren't any.

 

[shrub1]

Spurring discussion around the local bug seasons.

I've made two failed camping trips in Sept of 2016 and now Sept 2017 of this year. Last year was at Alamo Mountain, around 6700 ft in the Los Padres NF. This year, again in the Los Padres NF, northwest of Frazier Park, also around 7000 ft.

Both times we stepped out of the vehicle and were instantly SWARMED by countless flies. It was the point where we didn't feel we could get in and out of the car or bug-tent without letting in a cloud of bugs each time. We've agreed on a personal camping ban for Los Padres NF areas near Sept.

Is there a known bug season for Los Padres where it's just suicidal to try to camp? What was interesting is both these locations were mountain peaks, once during a dry season, once during a wet season, both nowhere near running or standing water, and both had similar vegetation and vicinity. Just two months ago I camped the identical site near Frazier Park and had zero bugs. Should have caught a specimen to identify but was too overwhelmed to think about it.

I camped on Alamo Mountain in the Lost Dutchman's campground in June and had zero fly or bug issues.

 

[GChristo]

I camped on Alamo Mountain in the Lost Dutchman's campground in June and had zero fly or bug issues.

Good to know. Similarly, we were near Frazier at around 7k this June and had zero issues. Somewhere between June and now the flies went out of control.

Bug deterrent should be part of the kit and works well, but the situation gets unpleasant when even with deterrent there are still plenty going for the face every minute of every moment. At that point I'd rather avoid problematic areas until cold weather tempers the population.

 

[shrub1]

Good to know. Similarly, we were near Frazier at around 7k this June and had zero issues. Somewhere between June and now the flies went out of control.

Bug deterrent should be part of the kit and works well, but the situation gets unpleasant when even with deterrent there are still plenty going for the face every minute of every moment. At that point I'd rather avoid problematic areas until cold weather tempers the population.

I am not too sensitive to flies. I spend a lot of time in AK in the summer dealing with mosquitoes. That's something!

 

[jasxn]

I am not too sensitive to flies. I spend a lot of time in AK in the summer dealing with mosquitoes. That's something!

have you ever dealt with flies that bite. those buggers are aholes! it's been a long time but its either a camp spot in angeles nf or los padres but we were getting bit left and right from these flies. black flies i think?

 

[shrub1]

have you ever dealt with flies that bite. those buggers are aholes! it's been a long time but its either a camp spot in angeles nf or los padres but we were getting bit left and right from these flies. black flies i think?

Cant say that I have in any vast quantity.

 

[violation]

Even in areas with large amounts of bugs I have found a few things that really help

1) $.90 bug wrist bands.

We hang these off our our awning and a couple at the door of the tent. I think in total we have about 8 of them hung around camp. Well worth the money! And reusable as long as they are stored in a closed zip lock bag that they come in.

2) $12 for 12 bug sticks

We used these when we went back in April with the group. And work like a charm. They burn for up to 12 hours or so. We also used these camping next to a lake and made a world of difference.

3) bug spray

We use outdoors or woodsmen off brand. We spray our chairs, awning, ourselves and front of the tent.


Doesn't mean we have no bugs when we camp but get to a point where we don't notice them! Makes it much more enjoyable!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

this man is prepared.

i've also got like 3 levels of protection now.

1. spray
2. some kind of burning stick or other similar "zone" repellent
3. mosquito room

but that wrist band sounds awesome.