Posts Tagged ‘Screen Houses’
Screen House Assembly
Putting together a screen house is fairly simple, but in case you’ve forgotten, here is a quick refresher:
Begin by spreading the screen house out on the ground. The corners where the tent poles should be inserted should be visible. Put the tent poles together and insert them in the proper slots. Next, get a partner to help you lift the screen house up. Once it is upright stake down each spot where the poles hit the ground (this ensures that your screen house will stay upright).
Combating Vicious Mosquitoes
Last weekend my wife and I hosted our annual BBQ at our waterfront property on Lake Washington. Summer is just hitting its stride here in the Pacific Northwest, and the weather was gorgeous the entire day. But as you probably know, the combination of heat and water creates a hotbed of mosquito activity. And as soon as the sun began to set, the mosquitoes began to rear their ugly heads.
We tried everything to keep the mosquitoes at bay—candles, spray, those tiki torches—but to no avail. Finally I decided to go inside and pull out my secret weapon: the screen house. After setting up the screen house and bringing all of the food inside, we were able to enjoy the rest of the evening free of bug bites.
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.
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.
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.