Bugs in Shenandoah early June?

[Turgo]

Hi there,

my wife and I will be in Shenandoah NP in the first half of June. Will there be many bugs? Do we need a headnet? Or is some DEET enough?

Thanks in advance and greetings from germany,

Stephan

[johnnybgood]

Welcome . Nothing more than the DEET is needed. I'd be more concerned with the ticks and Lyme Disease.

[Heald]

Headnet, no, biting flies yes. Generally they start to show themselves about early to mid June. Probably even earlier this year for a number of reasons. Biting flies really shouldn't be a big deal during the day as you hike. But at night they can be a real pain if you "cowboy camp" or shelter in anything other than a tent or hammock. Again, it's hard to be truly accurate because of the mild winter the Park had. Good luck.

[Blissful]

Protect yourself from deer ticks. No mosquitos but sometimes the gnats are bothersome.

[Mrs Baggins]

Stayed in Matthews Arm campground 3 years ago in mid-May and the mosquitoes were horrendous - - used up 3 cans of "Off!" all around the campsite trying to keep them at bay. Started a fire and the smoke helped a little. Stayed in Big Meadows the next year, same time frame, and had zero mosquitoes. Not bothered on any of our day hikes on the any of the trails.

[Turgo]

Thanks for every advice!
We had two great weeks in the Washington and Jefferson National Forests, used a little of our DEET, got bitten sometimes and had a few Tics found running on us as some parts of the Trail were a little bit grassy.
All in all: no Problem, no Headnet needed.
greets
Stephan

[Blissful]

Glad you were able to go.

[burger]

used up 3 cans of "Off!" all around the campsite trying to keep them at bay.

Um, Off (DEET) is only really effective when you spray it on your clothes or skin. If you spray it in the air, it just disperses away.

[tiptoe]

I remember lots and lots of gnats swarming around my head during my May/June 2011 SNP hike. Ticks too, but not so many. I had DEET, but it didn't help much with the gnats.