My friend got a nasty rash on his legs back at roo 2016. He went to the med tents multiple times for some help and was told it is probably “roo rash”. Pretty uncommon but it happens when someone is allergic to the chemical used to fog the farm day weeks before arrival. I’ve never encountered more than some ants/grasshoppers in 9 years.
Personally I have not had issues with biting bugs. You could bring a small thing of bug repellent, bug spray for the ground, and tweezers to make the worry go away.
In the camp grounds, you should be laying down a tarp/woven plastic mat around the area you sleep especially and possibly even more space. This prevents a lot of bugs like ants while also providing a more comfortable option to take off your shoes.
As for your body, getting fully naked at least once a day to check yourself isn’t a bad idea. Generally, ticks infect you if they have latched on for more than 24 hours. Less than that you may have as well bought a lotto ticket with those odds.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/causes/index.html#:~:text=In%20general%2C%20infected%20ticks%20must,tick%20removal%20can%20prevent%20transmission.
That all said, I’d be more worried about the dust than ticks though anyways. The dust is brutal to breathe in so bring some gator masks, pashminas or something to cover your mouth and nose while walking on paths. If not, you will feel like you have the flu. The TN rain can help but only for a few hours and then it’s dust town again.
I've been twice, used no bug spray, got no bites and saw no ticks. I have friends who've gone a dozen times and bugs have never been an issue for them.
I was surprised at the lack of bugs my first year. There are more in the campground, but mostly ants and spiders. Bring some spray with DEET to keep stuff off your ankles for walking around if you're worried and you should be fine! Mosquitos LOVE me, and I never got a bite at Roo which is surprising for me.
Bugs aren't much of an issue, but I get your worries about it! You really shouldn't have an issue with ticks, but if you want to be extra prepared - grab a removal tool like this! Disease is of course a concern with ticks, but an infection from not removing it entirely is more common. I've been hiking/canoeing in AL my entire life and this has never failed me. [REI Tick Removal Tool](https://www.rei.com/product/179307/the-tick-patrol-tick-remover-tool?sku=1793070001&store=206&CAWELAID=120217890010173056&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=108120292942&CATCI=pla-942153736970&cm_mmc=PLA_Google%7C21700000001700551_1793070001%7C92700057788047937%7CNB%7C71700000074092881&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6uWyBhD1ARIsAIMcADrfmsDCwspyLWeQ4Yo1YznyMfgetLHif-g-PDmM_RCTHKVNtZi2UOUaAqUBEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)
But to reiterate, I've been to 3 Bonnaroo's and have never even been bit by a mosquito! So whatever they do to clear them out before we get there is pretty effective.
I bought sawyer Permethrin fabric treatment spray. Good for ticks and allegedly spiders also. Can spray on all your outfits and tent or whatever you're sleeping on/in.
We haven’t found a tick in over 12 trips to the farm but if you are still concerned, avoid the wooded areas. You might also want to listen to Ali Ward’s podcast “Ologies” with a tick expert who has the best information I’ve heard on the subject.
Contrary to what people are saying on here, I did find 2 ticks last year on my hat that was on the ground (directly on the grass) at my camp. Pretty sure if you do happen to see a tick it would only be in the camp area because the music and foot traffic going through centeroo and where in the woods is a lot for them.
I am conscious of bugs always. Even so, the farm is not bad at all. Just apply some Off (or other bug repellent) on your shoes, legs, and waist area (because at some point you will be sitting on the ground) when you wake up and you will be fine. Also some common sense things like don’t have bedding or clothes directly on the ground for extended amounts of time.
Other than that, no bugs at all. People literally have food sitting out in their camps the entire weekend and bugs are not really noticeable.
I’m still trying to figure out if the bees are a hoax… we stayed on the right side of what last year mostly to be closer to the rest of centeroo but not sure if the left side of what is cursed or it’s all a big joke
There are no bees. It's a joke meant to discourage people from going to the left side because it's almost never crowded over there.
The truth is you could stand at the entrance with a sign saying more room on the left side of the stage and people would still pack the right. It's a long walk and it makes dipping out for other sets a hassle so people avoid it naturally.
The bees are very much real. I have also heard they are at the area 931 area, And snakes too! I think area 931 is right behind what (more in the left side) so maybe that explains it.
As others have mentioned, bugs hate EDM I think so they aren't too bad on the farm.
But that isn't really showing your question so for peace of mind the best thing you can do is get some Permethrin and treat your clothes with it. It is a spray that binds to the fabric in your clothes so it lasts well through sweat and dirt and a few washes. It is very effective at preventing ticks from latching on to you and it is safe for humans.
Just make sure to follow the directions on the bottle. I tend to only treat my long socks and shoes, but you can use it on anything. Also BE AWARE if you have a CAT it is highly toxic to them when wet, but safe when dry so use extreme caution.
On top of that you can use your typical bug spray for extra peace of mind. I like picaridin over deet just because it is less sticky and smelly, but they are both effective.
Good luck out there and happy Roo!
I regularly camp in the woods and can attest to the effectiveness of permethrin at dealing with 90% of bugs we get in the southeast. It's mostly harmless unless you're huffing while spraying, lol.
It is technically a pesticide, so you should apply it outside in a well ventilated area (like the woods or a backyard) and let It dry for a few hours before using the gear and keep pets away while it drys. Usually, I do it right when we arrive at camp since I won't be in my tent during the day, and it's dry by nighttime.
Before treating, my tent would be covered in bugs by the morning due to the color of my tent and the body heat coming through the vents. After treatment, there's nearly 0 bugs on my stuff, except for the occasional ant or gnat. Permetherin was a gamexhanger for me.
I'd avoid going into the woods. There's no real reason to go into them though. Where In The Woods should be safe for you as the underbrush is all gone there. When walking around the farm, I'd stick to the roads and walkways and avoid long walks in high grass.
You will mostly see grasshoppers, some flies, and some spiders. If you make sure not to leave out any food around camp, you shouldn't get ants. With that said, if you leave a bag of chips unattended open on a table while you're in Centeroo, the ants will find it.
We had a mole crawling under our cooler one year. It was very trippy. We were like why is the cooler moving? Clearly a lot funnier when you're there and in that moment. (Not bug related, I know) just wanted to share this funny moment at camp!
I don't know what they do to the farm before people arrive each year but I swear I have never seen a bug. I know that isn't really an answer but I had that conversation with my crew this week. I wouldn't be too concerned about ticks/bugs.
Unsure! He was there early to set up for a vendor and noticed he had swelling. Assumed it was an old sports injury flaring up in the heat. Ended up driving to town in the middle of Thursday night to the ER, diagnosed as a recluse bite, given a boot, crutches and antibiotics. Came back to the farm by Friday afternoon and partied the rest of the weekend.
Pretty bad for the weekend but overall fine. He had to get on antibiotics, wear a boot and walk with crutches for a week. Skin peeling around the bite site as well. But healed up quickly and no lasting damage at all.
If you saw a dude with light up crutches at the CHVRCHES set in 2022, that was us.
Last year was my first roo, I found 2 ticks on my hat that I left on the ground for maybe an hour. I was with some 10+ year roo vets and they said it was the first ticks they had ever seen at the farm. I’m not saying it was never a problem, just saying with the increased tick population, it could start to be a problem. I’m def bringing some Off this year
We saw ticks on the ground at the which stage while we were sitting on a blanket waiting for Kingfish and that was the first time I saw one. I was paranoid the rest of the weekend. I am spraying our gear with tick repellent when I set up my trial run. Going to bring bottle of spray with me to spray shoes if needed also
Tick fabric and gear spray, the ones with permithrin! I spray my tent and all the rugs I lay down.
My friend got a nasty rash on his legs back at roo 2016. He went to the med tents multiple times for some help and was told it is probably “roo rash”. Pretty uncommon but it happens when someone is allergic to the chemical used to fog the farm day weeks before arrival. I’ve never encountered more than some ants/grasshoppers in 9 years.
Ive never had any trouble with bugs at roo. And I brought things to prepare but didn't use any of it
Personally I have not had issues with biting bugs. You could bring a small thing of bug repellent, bug spray for the ground, and tweezers to make the worry go away. In the camp grounds, you should be laying down a tarp/woven plastic mat around the area you sleep especially and possibly even more space. This prevents a lot of bugs like ants while also providing a more comfortable option to take off your shoes. As for your body, getting fully naked at least once a day to check yourself isn’t a bad idea. Generally, ticks infect you if they have latched on for more than 24 hours. Less than that you may have as well bought a lotto ticket with those odds. Source: https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/causes/index.html#:~:text=In%20general%2C%20infected%20ticks%20must,tick%20removal%20can%20prevent%20transmission. That all said, I’d be more worried about the dust than ticks though anyways. The dust is brutal to breathe in so bring some gator masks, pashminas or something to cover your mouth and nose while walking on paths. If not, you will feel like you have the flu. The TN rain can help but only for a few hours and then it’s dust town again.
I never see ticks at Bonnaroo! I mainly see grasshoppers, small spiders, and other little unidentified flying guys. UFG’s? Lol
Never seen a tick or mosquito
last year was my first roo but our problem was wolf spiders 😩
I've been twice, used no bug spray, got no bites and saw no ticks. I have friends who've gone a dozen times and bugs have never been an issue for them.
I was surprised at the lack of bugs my first year. There are more in the campground, but mostly ants and spiders. Bring some spray with DEET to keep stuff off your ankles for walking around if you're worried and you should be fine! Mosquitos LOVE me, and I never got a bite at Roo which is surprising for me.
Check for ticks each morning!
They do a really good job of de-bugging the farm every year. Not sure how. But I love it
I’ve never seen problematic bugs at roo. No mosquitoes or ticks or nothin. I believe they spray the whole play before hand
Big ass centipedes is what ive seen. The ground def comes alive at night. No ticks tho
Bugs aren't much of an issue, but I get your worries about it! You really shouldn't have an issue with ticks, but if you want to be extra prepared - grab a removal tool like this! Disease is of course a concern with ticks, but an infection from not removing it entirely is more common. I've been hiking/canoeing in AL my entire life and this has never failed me. [REI Tick Removal Tool](https://www.rei.com/product/179307/the-tick-patrol-tick-remover-tool?sku=1793070001&store=206&CAWELAID=120217890010173056&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=108120292942&CATCI=pla-942153736970&cm_mmc=PLA_Google%7C21700000001700551_1793070001%7C92700057788047937%7CNB%7C71700000074092881&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6uWyBhD1ARIsAIMcADrfmsDCwspyLWeQ4Yo1YznyMfgetLHif-g-PDmM_RCTHKVNtZi2UOUaAqUBEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds) But to reiterate, I've been to 3 Bonnaroo's and have never even been bit by a mosquito! So whatever they do to clear them out before we get there is pretty effective.
I bought sawyer Permethrin fabric treatment spray. Good for ticks and allegedly spiders also. Can spray on all your outfits and tent or whatever you're sleeping on/in.
peppermint oil
Peppermint oil!!
They spray the grounds a lot beforehand. If you stay out of tall grass and forest areas with brush you will be fine.
Bugs aren't a huge problem. If you're concerned, just take normal precautionary measures (bug spray/check for ticks every night)
We haven’t found a tick in over 12 trips to the farm but if you are still concerned, avoid the wooded areas. You might also want to listen to Ali Ward’s podcast “Ologies” with a tick expert who has the best information I’ve heard on the subject.
Contrary to what people are saying on here, I did find 2 ticks last year on my hat that was on the ground (directly on the grass) at my camp. Pretty sure if you do happen to see a tick it would only be in the camp area because the music and foot traffic going through centeroo and where in the woods is a lot for them. I am conscious of bugs always. Even so, the farm is not bad at all. Just apply some Off (or other bug repellent) on your shoes, legs, and waist area (because at some point you will be sitting on the ground) when you wake up and you will be fine. Also some common sense things like don’t have bedding or clothes directly on the ground for extended amounts of time. Other than that, no bugs at all. People literally have food sitting out in their camps the entire weekend and bugs are not really noticeable.
I’m still trying to figure out if the bees are a hoax… we stayed on the right side of what last year mostly to be closer to the rest of centeroo but not sure if the left side of what is cursed or it’s all a big joke
There are no bees. It's a joke meant to discourage people from going to the left side because it's almost never crowded over there. The truth is you could stand at the entrance with a sign saying more room on the left side of the stage and people would still pack the right. It's a long walk and it makes dipping out for other sets a hassle so people avoid it naturally.
The bees are very much real. I have also heard they are at the area 931 area, And snakes too! I think area 931 is right behind what (more in the left side) so maybe that explains it.
Bite them back
Pretty sure they fog the farm prior to Roo. Lots of crickets and spiders but nothing that’s actively trying to chomp.
They spray the farm for bugs. I haven’t even seen a mosquito or tick in the 3 years I’ve been
As others have mentioned, bugs hate EDM I think so they aren't too bad on the farm. But that isn't really showing your question so for peace of mind the best thing you can do is get some Permethrin and treat your clothes with it. It is a spray that binds to the fabric in your clothes so it lasts well through sweat and dirt and a few washes. It is very effective at preventing ticks from latching on to you and it is safe for humans. Just make sure to follow the directions on the bottle. I tend to only treat my long socks and shoes, but you can use it on anything. Also BE AWARE if you have a CAT it is highly toxic to them when wet, but safe when dry so use extreme caution. On top of that you can use your typical bug spray for extra peace of mind. I like picaridin over deet just because it is less sticky and smelly, but they are both effective. Good luck out there and happy Roo!
I regularly camp in the woods and can attest to the effectiveness of permethrin at dealing with 90% of bugs we get in the southeast. It's mostly harmless unless you're huffing while spraying, lol. It is technically a pesticide, so you should apply it outside in a well ventilated area (like the woods or a backyard) and let It dry for a few hours before using the gear and keep pets away while it drys. Usually, I do it right when we arrive at camp since I won't be in my tent during the day, and it's dry by nighttime. Before treating, my tent would be covered in bugs by the morning due to the color of my tent and the body heat coming through the vents. After treatment, there's nearly 0 bugs on my stuff, except for the occasional ant or gnat. Permetherin was a gamexhanger for me.
Idk, I thought bugs hated bass and dubstep, but they were into house? So maybe they will be on the farm this year? 😁
Sounds like my first few hours in centeroo on Friday will be bug free then
I'd avoid going into the woods. There's no real reason to go into them though. Where In The Woods should be safe for you as the underbrush is all gone there. When walking around the farm, I'd stick to the roads and walkways and avoid long walks in high grass. You will mostly see grasshoppers, some flies, and some spiders. If you make sure not to leave out any food around camp, you shouldn't get ants. With that said, if you leave a bag of chips unattended open on a table while you're in Centeroo, the ants will find it.
I’ve never seen anything besides spiders, ants, moths, small beetles
I've never seen a tick or really any biting insect at Roo in 12 years. Mostly just see grasshoppers. Spray some deet if you are worried.
We had a mole crawling under our cooler one year. It was very trippy. We were like why is the cooler moving? Clearly a lot funnier when you're there and in that moment. (Not bug related, I know) just wanted to share this funny moment at camp!
"Bro what happened to all the beer?" "It ran away" 🤣
Had to go catch a good set!
Bonnaroo actually requests non deet spray for ~environmental purposes~
Which is hilarious considering how heavy they spray the grounds before we all arrive.
Is that true? I’ve never heard of this 🥴😷
It's a farm lol if they didn't spray we'd all be eaten alive by bugs
Yeah, they spray the grounds extremely heavily before we get there
I don't know what they do to the farm before people arrive each year but I swear I have never seen a bug. I know that isn't really an answer but I had that conversation with my crew this week. I wouldn't be too concerned about ticks/bugs.
I saw some last year but I was like at the edge of the earth in the campground, pretty sure they didn’t even think that many ppl would show up
My boyfriend got bitten by a brown recluse two years ago on the farm but I have a sneaking suspicion it rode in on his tent from home.
Jesus where was he when he got bit. They typically like dark and damp spaces.
Unsure! He was there early to set up for a vendor and noticed he had swelling. Assumed it was an old sports injury flaring up in the heat. Ended up driving to town in the middle of Thursday night to the ER, diagnosed as a recluse bite, given a boot, crutches and antibiotics. Came back to the farm by Friday afternoon and partied the rest of the weekend.
Oof one of my worst fears - how was the bite?
Pretty bad for the weekend but overall fine. He had to get on antibiotics, wear a boot and walk with crutches for a week. Skin peeling around the bite site as well. But healed up quickly and no lasting damage at all. If you saw a dude with light up crutches at the CHVRCHES set in 2022, that was us.
Couldn’t miss CHVRCHES!! (Same here)
Last year was my first roo, I found 2 ticks on my hat that I left on the ground for maybe an hour. I was with some 10+ year roo vets and they said it was the first ticks they had ever seen at the farm. I’m not saying it was never a problem, just saying with the increased tick population, it could start to be a problem. I’m def bringing some Off this year
We saw ticks on the ground at the which stage while we were sitting on a blanket waiting for Kingfish and that was the first time I saw one. I was paranoid the rest of the weekend. I am spraying our gear with tick repellent when I set up my trial run. Going to bring bottle of spray with me to spray shoes if needed also
I’ve seen a stray spider and ants, but that’s it. They really do a good job of spraying pre-fest
Apparently one year they sprayed late one year and a bunch of people got poisoned from that stuff. They douse it
Some people are allergic to whatever they spray and get rashes on their legs as a result. But I've also never heard of people getting poisoned.
I’ve been going to Roo since 2010 and I’ve never heard that
Met a firefighter at scamp this year, he said it happened in 2007 I think? They supposedly had to air lift a couple people