Tent or Bug Screen Shelter?

[rvsprinterguy]

Hi Everybody,

When you arrive at your campsite, do you pitch a tent, awning, or bug-screen shelter of some sort?

We just had a horrible experience where we had yellow jackets, flies and ants galore. Two out of three would have been kept at bay if we had a bug shelter big enough to fit over the camp site's picnic table.

I'm leaning toward a Clam hexagonal bug shelter and two or three sun screen panels.

How have others solved this problem?

The ClassB is too small to stay in all the time. If have can't go outside, we'll just stay home.

[jmai]

I use this Coleman Instant Screenhouse. 10' x 10' also available in larger sizes.

https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Insta...rc=detail&th=1

[rvsprinterguy]

Thanks for the tip.

[Mfturner]

I'm eyeing the smaller Clam to use with camp chairs for the two of us, used to use a larger screen room with our travel trailer and loved it.

[InterBlog]

The clamshell seems to be very popular.

I made a custom awning screen largely because I needed to save space. We have a non-EXT Sprinter and I take folding bike, inflatable kayak, plus backcountry gear (tent, backpacks, etc.). It's a great deal of work, but here is the blog post describing its construction.

[rvsprinterguy]

Awesome blog post! Maybe I'll sew up my own custom awning!

[White Cloud]

I approach bug problems two ways:
1) I carry granular Bug-B-Gone and a hand spreader in my cargo trailer. When we arrive I just make a trip around the site spreading Bug-B-Gone. It is effective in about 30 minutes.
2)For longer stays I have a PahaQue screen room with a floor. A little hassle to set up, but it does the job.

[Phoebe3]

Originally Posted by White Cloud

I approach bug problems two ways:
1) I carry granular Bug-B-Gone and a hand spreader in my cargo trailer. When we arrive I just make a trip around the site spreading Bug-B-Gone. It is effective in about 30 minutes.
2)For longer stays I have a PahaQue screen room with a floor. A little hassle to set up, but it does the job.

Are you saying you spread an insecticide around a public campsite...or just on your personal property?

[White Cloud]

ON the campsite we are renting

[NickK]

If it is spread without permission of the property owner I can see all sorts of issues if a pet or child comes into contact with that stuff during or after your occupation. Have you checked with an attorney about that?

[rvsprinterguy]

Wow, broadly spreading insecticide wasn't on my radar. Aside from ant bait, put out of reach, we never use insecticide. We're afraid our dogs will eat it.

To think we might unsuspectingly expose them to something a previous campsite user put out is frankly horrifying.

[Phoebe3]

Originally Posted by rvsprinterguy

Wow, broadly spreading insecticide wasn't on my radar. Aside from ant bait, put out of reach, we never use insecticide. We're afraid our dogs will eat it.

To think we might unsuspectingly expose them to something a previous campsite user put out is frankly horrifying.

I had never considered the possibility, but now that I know about it, I wonder how widespread the practice is...

[rvsprinterguy]

Went with the Clam "Qucik-Set Escape Shelter" 140" X 140" hexagonal screen tent plus a couple of wind-blocking panels.

It looks big enough to fit over a picnic table with room to move around it.

From the manufacturer's video, it takes less than a minute to set up or take down, and there are no loose poles to keep track of.

Also, I have a pair of "as seen on TV" magnetically-closing bug screens, joined together, to cover the sliding door's opening.

I'm on my way to solving the bug problem, I hope.

[proeddie]

I read this too late! I use a Gazelle screened unit, searchable and buyable on Amazon.

Better price than Clam, nice size, under 2 minute setup/takedown.

I stow mine under my couch/bed... just under 6' when bagged.

[rvsprinterguy]

The Gazelle looks like the same thing as the Clam, at a lower price.

Oh well, I've made my purchase.

[proeddie]

They are both great units...

When I read all the ads, I said,"No way! a minute or two?"

Sure enough, they really do set up FAST!

[Djette1]

We have been looking to do this exact same thing. We currently have A pop-up instant tent that works great. Can’t recall the name of it right now. However it doesn’t solve the problem of bugs getting in and out of the camper van. Our camper van did not come with the built-in screen door – and we been looking for options – and the really good ones can be $400-$800 plus installation. I would rather put the money into a little Screenhouse like this - And then we can leave the sliding door open for easier in and out access and more room.

[Djette1]

Originally Posted by White Cloud

I approach bug problems two ways:
1) I carry granular Bug-B-Gone and a hand spreader in my cargo trailer. When we arrive I just make a trip around the site spreading Bug-B-Gone. It is effective in about 30 minutes.
2)For longer stays I have a PahaQue screen room with a floor. A little hassle to set up, but it does the job.

Can you provide a link or the name of your screen room? I have been looking at the PahaQue screen rooms- But I can’t find a good one to work with the class B – does yours connect to the van and cover the sliding door opening?

[proeddie]

Gazelle 25500 G5 Pop Up Portable 5 Sided Hub Gazebo, 4 Person

https://www.amazon.com/Gazelle-25500...ywords=gazelle



I selected the "compact" size so I could stash it under one of our couches... bigger ones are longer than 6' when bagged.

It does NOT connect to the van at all, but that's good for us. when we leave the campsite, it just sits there!

[proeddie]

Sorry, I thought you were asking me for a link!