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Interestingly enough, the most common question I receive when discussing Grunt things is "what about bugs and critters in the field?" Honestly, we're usually more concerned about the mission, but that does become a concern when we're static for long periods of time. This is especially true when you finally get to lay down for those two hours of "rest" in your patrol base. Over the last 22 years, I have developed a simple system that has rarely failed me.
First off, I have tried all the chemicals, but have never had any luck. I even tried the now-banned pure DEET on my cuffs and pants, only to awaken with tics or mosquitos having a picknick in those very spots. If the chemicals work for you, great - use them. However, you need consider that, just like with sunscreen, chemicals require a constant reapplication. The treated uniforms can only survive a few washes and drying cycles before they lose their protective properties. That is assuming that the treated uniform worked in the first place.
As always, I apply the K.I.S.S. methodology, and approach this from a logical, field-expedient stance:
1. CLOTHING IS YOUR FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE
The standard issue 55/45 cotton/synthetic mixed uniforms are almost the perfect balance between breathability and protection. Those G-12 Delta Strike Pants are great for short assaults in hot weather, but mosquitos, especially the Southern monsters, will bite right through them. Try getting any rest for a few nights while dealing with that. You are already exhausted enough in the field.
2. CLOSE, TIGHTEN & OVERLAP ALL CLOTHING AND LAYERS
Pants should be bloused INTO your boots. Blousing strings and cords are for garrison only, and will fail in the field. Tuck your undershirt into your pants. Next, your LBE or "battle belt" will provide extra pressure around the other layers. Cuff your sleeves over your gloves. This is why many Grunts love the Nomex gloves. In addition to their many other benefits, they come up high on your wrists, providing overlap with your cuffs. Tape around your boots and cuffs if necessary. Yes, in many areas in the world, the deep woods are truly that miserable. Use a bug head net. They weigh nothing and provide both protection and added camouflage for your face and silhouette. Tuck the net into your collar, and close the collar as tight as possible. With the above measures, you may run into over-heating in the summer. It's up to you to find that balance between over-heating and not being eaten alive. Being a Southern boy myself, I usually preferred the latter.
3. WEAR COMBAT BOOTS
I love my light, "technical" boots, but they do not support you in the field, especially when dealing with the terrain and critters. You cannot effectively blouse your pants into any of the tacticool boots, and combat boots offer valuable protection, from jagged rocks, sharp sticks, and even snake bites. I have personally been struck on two separate occasions by rattle snakes, and they were unable to penetrate the heavy canvas. Although I still felt the hard impact and dealt with bruising later on. If you are wearing all leather boots, even better. Keep in mind, however, the modern, suede combat boots will most likely not protect you in any of these situations. Again, finding that balance between mobility, breathability, and protection is up to you.
4. IF POSSIBLE, SLEEP WITH YOUR FOOD AWAY FROM YOU
I know this is not always feasible in the field, as security is always our main concern. That means you will most likely not be stringing up "bear bags" for your group. Well, unless you want to lose all your food and hygiene products, should you have to bugout quickly. Starving because of stupidity is never a good idea. However, you can at least keep your food and smelly hygiene products in a separate bag, and get them away from you. At a minimum, I always ensure my food and hygiene items are at least away from my face. The last thing you want is a critter going after your food right next to your head. Bonus: store your food close to your most annoying team mate.
5. MAN UP
Grunt stuff is tough and nasty. As it turns out, the more time you spend laying in nature, the more you become nature. I found myself in hide-sites plenty of times in Ramadi, noticing a massive camel spider casually crawling on either me or my equipment. What would you do: maintain discipline or freak out, compromising your position? Maybe that's what separates the men from the boys. On the other hand, remember that most of these creepy crawlies, just like larger animals, often don't want anything to do with us. I can't tell you how many times I've watched unwanted friends simply use one of my limbs (or sniper veil) as a hang out spot, and then simply move on. You'll be fine. Also, most spider bites occur because you either inadvertently trapped one somewhere on you, or when reaching your hand into a dark space. Snakes may make their way into your shelter in the OP or Patrol Base, but once they detect your presence, they will almost always simply move on. Despite what I have read online, I have personally never had a snake "cozy up" to me while sleeping. I'm assuming they notice my heat, or maybe I just smell that bad, and they move on. I think the number one problem, often tied with mosquitos, are tics. However, follow all the steps above and that will give you the best chance at mitigating those. Don't forget to conduct a tic check after every FTX or overnighter. For some reason, they always prefer my privates. Fun.
WHAT ABOUT WILDLIFE?
As I mentioned, most wildlife want nothing to do with us, especially in the true wilderness. The problem is, if you're around any place where humans camp, those animals, especially bears, have become habituated and no longer act properly around humans. For most of us, however, wildlife is usually not a threat. The best deterrent is to not bring in animals in the first place. Although you cannot setup bear bags in a tactical situation, you will have guard shifts. Someone must be awake at all times to detect an enemy, but they will also detect wildlife coming in. The most common infiltrators I have witnessed are wild pigs, often drawn in by our food. However, a light cough, grunt, or any "human sound" will send them running. Just deter them before they have entered your perimeter. Otherwise, they may trample your sleeping teammates. It works the same for bears. In a tactical situation, however, you need to be sure it is an animal, and not an enemy, and you should balance scaring an animal away vs giving away your position.
Sadly I have to admit that I have yet to discover a gator-deterrent. My best advice is to simply be smart about where you decide to hole-up over night. Their nesting areas are generally around water banks, buried in mud. I always sleep away from water points and ensure to check for signs. That's about all I can offer on that subject. Again, this is the big boy world - deal with it.
Carry on!
