Southern New England bugs & shelter questions...

[Bill B]

Starting a New England section hike next week, NOBO from Bear Mountain to Katahdin. I'm bringing my DuoMid for a shelter but debating between a bug bivy or solo innernet. A couple questions for those familiar with southern new england bugs etc...

I'm assuming my timing for bugs in CT & MA is bad and they should be out in full force. Black flies too, or just mossies? 24/7, or mainly late afternoon and evening?

One advantage of the bug bivy is that its great in a shelter too. What is the expected shelter situation starting mid June at the Hudson and finishing late July/early August? Always full, or generally space available for a solo hiker? I realize that weekends are always more crowded...

The innernet is more comfortable to retreat to when the bugs get bad, but not as suitable for shelter use and is about 4oz heavier than the bivy...

Once I get to VT and NH I'm on my home turf and are more familiar with what to expect.

Thoughts?

[Slo-go'en]

MA is noted for its mosquitos. Black flies shouldn't be too much of a problem. Hard to predict shelter usage. If you do long days and show up late, the chances of scoring shelter space diminishes greatly. I'd plan to be in the personal shelter more often then not, so it should be comfortable.

[4eyedbuzzard]

From a health standpoint, ticks will likely be your biggest bug issue (Lyme). Then mosquitoes (West Nile, EEE, etc.). Unlike mosquitoes, black flies aren't active after dark or if the wind is blowing (they aren't strong fliers), and they aren't known to transmit disease. I'd recommend permethrin treating of ALL clothing (including hat, boot/shoe uppers, etc.) and using DEET for all the above reasons. And I'd take the innernet over the bivy.

[Carbo]

Just completed the section from Bear Mtn, north to Kent, Ct. Skeeters were out in the boggy areas especially on the warmer days. Nights a few bugs, but not bad since night temps still in low 50's some hi 40's. First sign of ticks was at Wiley Shelter, NY, nothing after that.

[Carbo]

Also, as Slo-go'en said. Get to the shelters early if you want to be sure you have a space. There were at least 3 others at every shelter I hit on weekdays. Weekends they were full by 6 -7 pm.