>>1494861>>1494873I hiked the whole AT with no dedicated bug protection other than a head net. I didn't find a single tick dug in on me. I did have a ground sheet, I have heard that most ticks don't travel far horizontally. They tend only to climb up and down. I also had a sleeping bag liner that was treated with permethrin. Beyond that the only bugs that bothered me were the mosquitos and my head handleded them more than well enough. As long as you can handle the sound of them being close to your head that is.
I think by this stage I have well over 1000 nights in open shelters like tarps and find a head net plenty of protection. Bear in mind that I don't tend to spend much time in camp. My trips are very much focused on hiking so I am normally moving the vast majority of the time. I eat before making camp as well so can pick a bug free(ish) spot to eat. Then when I get to camp it's a case of pitch my shelter if I am using is and go to sleep. I also don't eat breakfast at camp so it's the same deal. Wake up, break camp, leave. Then stop to eat when I find a nice spot.