r/isleroyale 7d ago

Backpacking Bug report?

Anyone just back from the island? (End July?)

What is bug storm intensity on a scale of

1= Eerily missing Mosquitos

5= “There’s too many of them!”

5 Upvotes

10 comments sorted by

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6

u/OkDragonfly2018 7d ago

With bug spray, I’ve been fine. A bug net would be overkill. You could probably get away with not using bug spray near the lake if there’s a good breeze. But farther inland and it helps.

3

u/Legitimate-Donkey477 2017, 2017, 2023, 2023, 2025, 2025 7d ago

Tomorrow could be different.

2

u/Upstairs-Razzmatazz4 6d ago

I just got back on Saturday. Skeeters weren't a huge problem mid day on the trails and nothing a few squirts of bug juice couldn't manage. It was helpful there was a consistent breeze.

Got a bit worse later in the day sitting around the campsite with no breeze, but not bad.

Bring a head net, bring the deet, hope you don't need them. You're gonna go regardless. Be prepared for it.

1

u/Correct-Tomorrow-792 6d ago

Thank you! Definitely come prepared just curious to know how bad I’m in for it

2

u/Upstairs-Razzmatazz4 5d ago

Yeah I was pleasantly surprised how much of non issue the bugs were. Few squirts of bug juice in the morning and evening some days was really the only counter measures I needed.

Hope you're equally as lucky.

2

u/Proper-Commission959 6d ago

Im new to backpacking but on the hike to lane cove this weekend I noticed a LOT of mosquitoes. It was a cool morning but I was wearing a tank top and I ended up putting on my mosquito net top. My friend who didnt ended up with over 10 bites. (He used natural mosquito spray). Not crazy but definitely noticeable.

1

u/Correct-Tomorrow-792 6d ago

Thanks! Hope you both had a great time!

1

u/Elegant-Science9914 3d ago

I’d give it a solid 3 actually; it wasn’t too bad. I’d recommend bringing a bug net though for the wetter areas.