Choosing a Mosquito Net

 

 A mosquito net also prevents other nasty creepy crawlies getting near you while you sleep – including cockroaches and even rats in some conditions - which is also reassuring!

 

Many nets are now treated with permethrin, a synthetic chemical widely used as an insecticide and insect repellent. The treatment usually lasts up to about two years (or 35 washes) and boosts the effectiveness of the net by repelling and killing parasitic insects before they even try to get near you. This provides added protection if, for example, a hole appears in your net before you notice (at which point you can seal it up with duct tape).

 

There are a wide range of mosquito net styles on the market, and this guide summarises the most popular types to help you choose the one that's most suitable for your trip.

 

 

Wedge mosquito nets are the most compact and lightweight choice, packing down into a small carry bag that's easy to stuff into a corner of your backpack. They are also easy to put up in most situations, because the net only needs between one and three support points. The only downside is that because the internal space is small, it can get hotter than inside more spacious nets – but there is also a double-sized version.

 

 

Ideal for those who want the maximum amount of headroom and internal space, box nets use a four-point hanging system which essentially creates a box-shaped net over your bed. Available in single and double sizes, they allow more air circulation inside the net, and are therefore cooler than the others. The only problem with this type of net is that it requires several points of support (usually four – one at each corner) so you may struggle to hang it in some rooms – it's generally easiest to attach to a purpose-built frame. However, the Lifesystems BoxNet Mosquito Net has been cleverly designed so that when you don't have four hanging points you can use it as wedge net, using just two hanging points, making it far more versatile.

 

 

Shaped like a traditional ridge tent, the ridge mosquito net is ideal for outdoor use over hammocks or while you're bivvy camping. It's very easy to set up, simply hangs from two cords, so it can easily be set up between trees. It can also be used indoors over a single bed, making it a versatile choice.

 

 A fantastic alternative to a tent for warm, dry summer nights - but the small interior space means it can get hot inside.

 

The tent-like structure of these self-contained mosquito nets gives you peace of mind that wherever you have to sleep, you can do so inside your mosquito net. It's very light, easy to assemble, and simply sits on the ground (or even on top of a bed), so you never need to worry about not having enough hanging points! The Lifesystems GeoNet Freestanding Mosquito Net has a water resistant nylon base which prevents outside moisture penetrating in, making it ideal for staying in sticky, humid destinations.

 

 

This is a classic mosquito net with slightly less volume than the box net, but with the huge advantage of only needing to be hung from a single support point. The Hoopnet Bell Double Mosquito Net has a large hoop hanging point to spread the net across a large area, giving you more space inside, and is even big enough for king-size beds (should you be lucky enough to sleep in any!).

 

 

Finally, if you're off trekking in mosquito-infested areas, a lightweight mosquito net hat can prevent you from getting bitten along the way. It is like a sun hat but with has an integrated ultra-fine net attached to the brim which hangs down to protect your face, head and neck. You can pull a drawstring cord at the bottom of the net to tighten up the gap around the bottom, or just tuck the net under your clothes.