Mosquitoes—Can’t Live with Them, Do Live without Them

Mosquitoes are the bane of many an otherwise pleasant outdoor sojourn, and can remain a pestilence through the night. Mosquito netting is an efficient and effective tool to keep these irritating critters away from you. Netting use is one of the most common methods of protection from their painful bites and noisy whining, which can keep a person ill at ease all night long. They can ruin your night with their irritating sound and constant bites. In addition to the annoyance factor, their bites are a health hazard and can carry a number of potentially fatal diseases. The most common of these are Malaria, dengue fever, West Nile Virus, and yellow fever. Obviously, you will want to make sure that you avoid all these fatal diseases by taking necessary preventive measures. Mosquito nets are considered to be the best way of dealing with the mosquito problem.

The biggest advantage of mosquito nets is that they are effective in providing protection against all sorts of insects that could pose serious threats to your health and, ultimately, to your very life. Moreover, they are completely eco-friendly and do not contain any harmful elements. They are far more productive and efficient than the mosquito repellents and other remedies which often contain harmful chemicals. But, if you also want to ensure the death of the flying pests, you would need to use a chemical additive, such as pyrethrum with the mosquito netting. This could prove to be a strong protective measure against the insects. You would need, however, to be wary of any side effects and other aspects of chemical exposure before its use. Additionally, most insecticide impregnated nets outgas the chemical fairly quickly. This will leave you back where you started, with the mosquito net as a physical barrier, without chemical fortification.

Though mosquito nets are beneficial in all aspects, many would perceive them as an obsolete and old-fashioned ploy against mosquito intrusion. They might also presume that sleeping inside these nets is uselessly uncomfortable. The fact of the matter is that mosquito netting can still be trendy and fashionable if you opt for the right type and use the proper method of installation. Conventionally, the nets are tied to the poles of the bed, or hang from ceiling hooks in order to provide a safety zone in the bedroom. Some netting provides entry through overlapping side panels. This decorative style net provides significant protection while maintaining a stylish and romantically attractive look. For more complete protection, what is known as functional netting is required. These nets are sewn together on all sides and top, producing a seamless barrier against flying pests. Entry is achieved by lifting up the net and sliding under. The bottom edge of the net can then be tucked under the mattress for greater security. It is your choice as to which style suits your needs. Both are comfortable and effective. For home use, where windows and doors are screened, the decorative style is frequently preferred. When you are travelling, you might be better advised to consider the functional nets as they are light, easy to carry with you, and provide more complete protection from the many hazards of insect life on the road.

There are a number of different colors, sizes, and designs available for mosquito netting. You can choose whatever suits you best and caters to your demands most efficiently. There are nest available that can be fitted over any size bed, from twin to king size. These are available with four suspension points, or with one suspension point with a large ring or hoop to spread the net. For jungle use there are nets that not only have top and sides, but also are netted on the bottom to keep all marauders at bay. Finally there are nets designed to use with a hammock, and even nets that can be suspended over sleeping bags.

With all that variety it is clear that with a little effort in the selection you can find a net for almost any purpose. One of my favorite, somewhat amusing styles of net is the “head net” which fits over a brimmed hat to provide protection from mosquitoes while gardening in the cool of the morning or evening. These nets resemble a lighter weight version of the bee keeper’s protective gear. Even if they look a little silly, being unbitten and uninfected by mosquito born diseases is well worth it.

So net up and be safe!