Archive for the ‘Screen Houses’ Category
It’s in Our Blood
Camping is an activity many people who grow up in the Pacific Northwest grow to love. It’s like the outdoors and nature is in their blood. Sometimes being in the wilderness is just as comforting as being at home. But not everybody likes sleeping under the stars, especially with the unpredictable weather in this area.
Owning a good tent is a basic asset of a camper. There’s no reason to risk getting drenched! Campers also need waterproof tent covers, tent stakes and ground covers. And especially during the summertime, screen tents are indispensable tools for a respite from the droves of biting insects. Without these basic supplies a camping trip simply won’t be as enjoyable.
Controlling the Mosquito Population
Aside from serving as food for certain predators, mosquitoes are the kinds of creatures that serve little purpose other than to cause discomfort. Mosquitoes can carry a host of harmful diseases, including West Nile Virus, leave itchy bite marks, and breed incessantly. Controlling the mosquito population has been the goal of many naturalists and environmentalists. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant pools of water including birdbaths, ponds, and even puddles. In order to control the mosquito population, people who have ponds especially should use natural mosquito control. This product kills mosquitoes with natural bacteria, safe for other living creatures.
Mosquitoes are one of the world’s most renowned pests, and keeping them out of your yard and out of proximity to your home benefits everyone. Of course, despite our best efforts, mosquitoes will inevitably continue to be a nuisance, which is why a Eureka screen house is still a sound investment.
Don’t Leave Home Without It…
As any hiking enthusiast knows, there are certain essential items that should always be taken on a camping trip. And it goes beyond the obvious. Beyond the tent, mat, and sleeping bag, you’re going to want to be equipped with a quality screen house to protect against mosquitoes.
A screen house has several benefits that can keep you safe and comfortable. First, it can reduce the chance of malaria, West Nile Virus, and other mosquito-born illnesses. While the chance of contracting these illnesses is admittedly slim, there is no harm in being as safe as possible.
The other added benefit is quite pragmatic: mosquitoes are annoying. They bite and leave persistent, itching reminders of their presence. Screen houses can protect you from this annoyance.
Depending on where you like to camp, mosquitoes can be more or less persistent. If you know that your area of the country is infested with these flying annoyances, screen houses can be a cheap way to make your next camping trip as convenient and comfortable as possible.
Keeping Mosquitoes at Bay
Mosquitoes can ruin a camping trip faster than inclement weather, and without the proper protection, they’re a real nuisance even if in small numbers. To protect against mosquitoes, it’s a good idea to use bug spray. For the best protection, purchase bug spray that contains DEET, as this will be most effective in deterring mosquitoes. You can also use mosquito lanterns, which are small burning lamps that emit a smoke which will keep mosquitoes out of the area. There is a common perception that candles can serve to deter mosquitoes, but in truth, standard paraffin wax candles have no effect. You can also use screen houses to keep mosquitoes and other bugs out of the campsite. With large size screen houses, it’s even possible to set up a tent inside which will provide it with an extra layer of protection and ensure there are no bugs that come biting in the night.
When choosing a camping location, be aware that rivers, lakes, and marshes tend to be homes to mosquitoes. Mosquitoes dislike the ocean water, so often camping on the beach there will be no mosquitoes, but they can nest just off the shore.
Summer RVing with The Family
This summer my family and I went on a RV trip around the country. My kids are starting to get older, and I figured that in a couple of years they would protest to spending an entire summer vacation with their parents. We hit all of the major tourist destinations, including: the State of Liberty, Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore.
While we were on our stint in the South, the bugs were unbearable. We would often take a reprieve from the confines of the RV to eat and camp under the stars, but the large Bayou mosquitoes made this difficult. After a couple days of suffering, I decided to invest in a Eureka screen house. Not only did it keep the bugs away, but it also provided shade from the blazing summer sun.
Keeping the Bugs at Bay
If you’ve ever been camping, you can relate to this experience: you set up a beautiful spread for lunch and within seconds hundreds of flies descend upon it. The last thing you want to do after hiking for miles and struggling to prepare a meal in the wild is to try to fend off countless insects. Not only is this unappetizing, but it is also unsanitary.
One of the best ways to eliminate this problem is through the use of a Eureka screen tent. The structure is large enough to house an entire picnic table and has breathable mesh to prevent congestion. After using one on my last camping trip, I’m never going without it again.
Protection from Mammoth Midwestern Mosquitoes
Northern Michigan is a fantastic place to be in the summer. Now that it’s winter, my husband and I are taking our annual snowbirds trip down to a gated community in Arizona. Still, when summer rolls around we’ll be headed for home to indulge in some carefree living on the breezy shores of Lake Huron. My only complaint about the Midwest in summertime is that the mosquitoes run rampant.
No matter how many citronella candles we light and how much DEET-filled pest sprays we daub on our bodies, there just doesn’t seem to be any relief. It’s even worse after a refreshing summer rain, when the mosquitoes begin to swarm in the damp air. Last year we had finally reached our last straw. We didn’t want to surrender the outdoors experience to the winged pests, so we put up a few Paha Que tents with mosquito netting.
Lessons Learned from Constant Campers
Now that our family has camped in the Appalachians for a few years in a row, we’ve picked up a few helpful tips that other outdoors enthusiasts might find helpful. First, I’d recommend against renting cabins for the week. As long as you’re living without electricity and running water, what’s the point of having a bed and a roof? A nice, durable tent with an air mattress will do the same job as much less cost.
I’ve also found that it’s essential to bring along some screen tents when camping in large groups. Our screen tent serves as an impromptu dining hall. The bug-proof netting keeps pests away from our food supply, and eating inside the tent is often preferable to risking beestings and other dangers at a picnic table. Finally, I make sure to pack a thick, comfortable sleeping bag; even if you’re camping in a warm-weather climate, the nights can prove chilly.
Staying Out of the Sun on a Hot Day
Each year when my family reunion rolls around, I pack up the van with hotdogs, hamburger patties, grilling equipment, folding chairs and tasty beverages. If there’s enough room left, I also bring the wife and kids along. When we get to our destination, which is generally a city park on the opposite side of the state, most of the family has already arrived.
Out of regard for the oldest generation of matriarchs and patriarchs, we also pack a screen house that provides ample shade and protection from bugs. While the kids run around and play in the park and most of the adults bask outside in the sun, the elderly folks can kick back and relax without becoming weak in the heat. I’m thankful every generation of our family can enjoy a special day together.
The Screen Room Alternative
Not everyone has the disposable income necessary to cover an ambitious home addition. Screen rooms make wonderful social gathering places in any house, but the construction costs are through the roof. It would probably be well into fall or winter before the work was finished anyway. Instead of footing the bill for a pricy screen room, consider placing a freestanding screen house out on the back lawn.
Screen houses resemble large, roomy tents, but with one notable difference: You can see through them on all sides. These structures are suitable for after-dinner drinks with friends or just enjoying a carefree summer afternoon with a good book. The barely visible screen affords a panoramic view of the house’s surroundings, and it also acts as mosquito netting.