Any issues with keeping bugs out?

[hiker74]

Does anyone have any issues keeping mosquitoes and bugs out of their quicksilver? We haven't camped yet, but never really had any issues with our tent, but given that the tent is held on with snaps I was wondering? If so are there ideas for keeping things out?

[quicksilverbill]

We've had no problems at all with mosquitos or any other bugs invading our QS6--unless as a result of carelessly leaving the door wide open.

Bill

[admin]

Same here in our 10.0. Any bugs that come is are clearly due to the door being left open.

-Sean

[chuck893]

Agree with Bill and Sean: usually no bugs unless the door and/or flap is left open. Even when there are obvious gaps, like where the flap overlaps the door, they just don't come in. I wonder if mosquitoes don't like to fly up? Sometimes if there are a lot of them one or two will follow you in. I always keep an ordinary fly swatter handy.  P-) 

[dp]

I have a 10.0 and I did have a small problem with them getting in between the bed and the open space at the fold. I put weather stripping all around both sides. Worth the 3 bucks.

[hiker74]

This weekend the only bug problems we had were the gnats. This is probably due to the kids going in and out all the time!

[sandyu]

I have kids also and a total of five people staying in my 10.0 when I go on vacation. So I totally understand having to keep the door open for all the going in and out. To minimize bugs we try to keep lights off at night until we are zipped up. So there are several bugs that always manage to get in the camper at night.
This might sound crazy but it works. I bought a miniature glow in the dark bug zapper from Wally World that operates on batteries. We turn it on sometimes when we are all zipped up. I have also used a dc powered dust buster to suck the little guys up instead of smashing them on the tent.  

[admin]

You might also try running a Thermocell inside the camper. Since it is sheltered it should repel most anything that would venture near the entry door. The only downside (keep in mind I have not tried this) is the possible smell. I've used mine while hunting and never noticed it, but thats in the woods so I dont know what it would be like in a semi enclosed space.

-Sean

[jagwire64]

We don't have bug problems either;  I also keep the inside lights off until the tent is zipped.  We generally keep the door rolled up at all times during the day.  I keep an electric fly swatter on hand.  It works well and doesn't smash the bugs on the tent.  I get mine at Harbor Freight Tools (Lowe's sells them, only the cost is higher but build quality is better).  They will even kill large stingy bugs (sometimes it takes a couple zaps).


http://www.harborfreight.com/electronic-fly-swatter-40122.html

[sandyu]

Just went to Big Lots and saw the instant screen doors with magnets you hang in the doorway. It was five bucks so I'll give it a try.

[electron]

Magnets shouldn't work on aluminum, but I like the idea of hanging a screen over the door flap.

[husaberger]

shouldn't ?  they don't.

BUT you could get another magnet and place it inside and the magnetic screen is attached to the magnet ?

[chuck893]

[quote source="/post/11757/thread" author="@kybrowns" timestamp="1433033467"]Just went to Big Lots and saw the instant screen doors with magnets you hang in the doorway. It was five bucks so I'll give it a try. [/quote]I'm looking at the magnetic screen doors and thinking, yeah, that just might work. As nearly as I can tell the sides of the screen would be adhered to the QS door opening with provided Velcro self-adhesive strips. The magnets are on the center split of the curtain. When you go through the split parts like the Red Sea, and then recloses on its own weight with the magnets snapping together.

There would undoubtedly have to be some modifications. These "doors" are made to cover a full size front door. There would almost certainly have to be some cutting down. The Velcro that comes with might not adhere well to fabric but I think Velcro makes a product specifically for fabric that could be substituted. 

Here's a couple of sources with pictures and instructions that can be enlarged and read:

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/1/1/32652-magic-mesh-instant-magnetic-screen-door.html

http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Magnetic-Screen-Door-Automatically/dp/B00CEFRCVO

[aznighthiker]

We use Citronella candles or tree tea oil, no bugs.