FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MOSQUITO NETS

When is a mosquito net above your bed useful?

A mosquito net protects you and your bed from nocturnal insects.

In your own home or on travels in the south of Europe, it guarantees a peaceful sleep with the windows open in summer. You can save yourself the nocturnal hunt for the little beasts.

When traveling in tropical areas, it has the additional task of protecting against dangerous diseases. It is therefore a good idea to protect yourself from mosquitoes on these trips at night. Additionally with an impregnation in areas with malaria or dengue fever. Our travel mosquito nets GlisGlis Blue Edition mosquito nets with impregnation nets offer this protection.

Where to buy a mosquito net online?

You want to buy a mosquito net online and are wondering where?
Here you can look around and find the right network for you.
Our GlisGlis Shop on Amazon

The best selection of mosquito nets is offered either by Amazon or online shops for travel needs, such as Globetrotter, for example. Depending on the area of application and type of use, there are a large number of mosquito nets. Unfortunately, there is also a plethora of cheap and poor-quality networks. So don’t fall for the first offer that comes along. Cheap doesn’t pay off in this case and when it comes to health, you should buy quality.

Which mosquito net is the best for your home?

There are many mosquitoes, even in our latitudes. Since these rarely transmit malaria in Europe, a non-impregnated mosquito net is sufficient. We recommend our GlisGlis Green Edition, which has no impregnation. But these nets have a slightly higher mesh density to protect you optimally.
GlisGlis Green Edition mosquito nets without impregnation

Which net shape is best?

It always depends on what your needs are.
The advantage of the pyramid shape mosquito nets is that they can be set up quickly and practically. The pyramid shape has only one suspension point at the top and is therefore set up quickly. It can accommodate 2 people. For example, if you are traveling in Asia and would like to visit a new island or city every week, this is the best decision.

The advantage of the cube shape mosquito nets is the large amount of space inside. Due to the cube shape, these nets have vertical walls and offer significantly more space inside. Since these nets are hung at the 4 corners, it takes a little longer to set up. But it’s definitely worth the extra effort. 2 people have enough space here.

Which mosquito net do you recommend for trips to tropical countries?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions. For trips to tropical countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Bali or other countries in Southeast Asia, you can generally travel with the Green Edition and the Blue Edition. However, if it is an area with a risk of malaria, you should definitely use an impregnated mosquito net from our GlisGlis Blue Edition. These mosquito nets are treated with ©Green First impregnation and offer you additional protection against mosquitoes.
GlisGlis Blue Edition mosquito nets with impregnation

Mosquito net installation

Our mosquito nets are quicker and more convenient to set up and take down than conventional nets. Because all our nets have a huge advantage over the competition – the expander in the hem. With this, the net can be stretched over the corners of the mattress in seconds – similar to a fitted sheet. It fits tightly and does not slip. More details about the mosquito net construction can be found here Mosquito net set up and installation

Mosquito net setup without drilling

Mosquito nets can also be hung above the bed without drilling. If there is no pre-installed hook on the ceiling, we recommend adhesive hooks as a convenient and quick alternative. These can be attached to the centre of the ceiling above the bed and removed without leaving any residue after use.

If you don’t have anything at hand, we recommend stretching a cord across the room, e.g. from a picture to a mirror. The mosquito net can now be easily hooked onto the cord with the carabiner provided. A loop prevents the carabiner from slipping.

You can find self-adhesive ceiling hooks e.g. here Tesa adhesive hooks

What makes the GlisGlis mosquito net better than conventional mosquito nets?

Actually everything 😉
Our mosquito nets have a few very practical features. On the one hand, our nets can be quickly and easily stretched over the mattress thanks to an expander in the lower end. Secondly, our mosquito nets have a large zip at the foot end and offer a secure entrance. This way, our nets close securely all around and offer no gaps through which mosquitoes can get inside. Find here more information: Mosquito net with a concept

When to use a travel mosquito net with impregnation?

An impregnated travel mosquito net is always suitable if you are travelling to a region where diseases such as malaria or dengue fever occur. The WHO recommends using an impregnated mosquito net. However, in many holiday regions, even in Asia, a mosquito net without impregnation is sufficient. Since impregnations are often chemical substances, they should be used when necessary. So if you are travelling to an area with a high risk of disease transmission, impregnation will give you double protection at night. Our GlisGlis mosquito nets are impregnated with the natural toxin geraniol, which only works for mosquitoes and poses no danger to us humans.

GlisGlis Blue Edition mosquito nets with impregnation

Have your mosquito nets been tested?

We have of course also sent our mosquito nets to experienced travel backpackers and experts in world travel. So far, everyone has been enthusiastic about the network’s features. Especially the expander in the hem was perceived positively. You can find a detailed report from travel experts on the website of Flashpacker Travelguide read. Or the experts from Indojunkie , who tested the network to have. These travel professionals in particular know what is important when it comes to mosquito repellent, as they have years of experience.

Do your mosquito nets also work for single beds?

Our mosquito nets are basically made for the common bed sizes. This means that they fit best on double beds that are 1.40m to 1.80m wide. Since single beds are only approx. 1m wide, the expander is no longer really tight in the lower end. You can of course still use our nets, but then it only works like an ordinary mosquito net. You then have to stuff the lower end of the net under the mattress to make it airtight.

What does mosquito net MESH stand for?

The mesh number is used internationally to indicate the number of holes per square inch in mosquito nets. One square inch is 2.54 cm x 2.54 cm. If a mosquito net has a mesh number of 156, this means that this net has 156 holes on the said surface. This is the standard mesh size recommended by the WHO. Our mosquito nets have a 220 Mesh which means there are more but smaller holes per square inch which makes it even safer.

What mesh size / mesh number should a mosquito net have?

That depends very much on the place of use, as mosquitoes have different sizes everywhere. And of course the room temperature. For our latitudes including southern Europe, we recommend a mesh size of 220 holes per square inch to be on the safe side. As with our mosquito nets from the GlisGlis Green Edition.

For nights in the tropics, when it is significantly warmer and more humid, the WHO recommends a mesh size of at least 156 holes per square inch + one impregnation.

How to hang the mosquito net from the ceiling?

Our pyramid-shaped mosquito net can be attached very quickly and easily to a hook on the ceiling. Thanks to the included carabiner, it’s just a click.
 

Our cube-shaped mosquito net needs 4 points to which it must be attached in the room. With a simple string you can then attach the net to a lamp or curtain rod, for example. If you don’t have any suspension points, we recommend adhesive hooks from Tesa. These can easily be attached to the ceiling or walls and easily removed again. More information about how to set up a mosquito net: Mosquito net set up and installation

What alternatives are there to a mosquito net?

All kinds of essential oils, incense sticks or bracelets with an allegedly defensive scent are offered on the market. Unfortunately, these things do not really work and do not guarantee any protection against mosquito bites. The only real alternative to mosquito nets are mosquito sprays that are applied to the skin. But who wants to wear a chemical substance on their skin for weeks, especially at night in bed.

When is an impregnated mosquito net advisable?

The WHO (World Health Organization) recommends using an impregnated net in malaria areas such as northern Thailand or similar regions. Otherwise impregnation is not absolutely necessary. An impregnated insect net offers greater protection against mosquitoes at night. Thanks to the impregnation with e.g. geraniol (a natural based treatment) mosquitoes are paralysed or killed as soon as they land on the net.
 

We recommend buying an already impregnated net especially for malaria areas, as impregnation at home is cumbersome and requires basic knowledge. For example, the remaining impregnation should not end up in the drain or groundwater and should be disposed of properly.
 

Impregnated tents are not suitable for children, as they may put their fingers in their mouths and thus absorb the impregnation.

Which mosquito net shape is better? A pyramid shape or a rectangle shape?f

The ideal mosquito net shape depends a lot on your trip. Are you travelling alone or with a partner? Will you be sleeping in a hotel or a bungalow? Do you know if there are fastening possibilities to attach the mosquito net? Will you stay longer in one place or will you change your accommodation every day? These criteria will help you find the ideal travel mosquito net for you.
 

When is a pyramid-shaped mosquito net useful?
A pyramid-shaped travel mosquito net is generally the most comfortable version. This only needs one attachment point on the ceiling and is simply hung over a bed. This saves time and is super easy. A pyramid-shaped travel mosquito net is especially recommended if you often change accommodation. However, since the side walls are slanted, you basically have less space than with the cube shape. It offers space for two people, but not more.
 

When does a box-shaped mosquito net make sense?
Box-shaped/cube-shaped mosquito nets offer considerably more space for two people. They are ideal if you stay in the same accommodation for a few days and do not move every day. Thanks to vertical walls and a height of 2m, they offer an enormous amount of space. These are hung from 4 to 6 fixing points, which can be a challenge in some accommodation. But with the Tesa ceiling hooks, this is also quickly solved. Weight and pack size are somewhat larger than with smaller travel mosquito nets.
 

We have both forms on offer – with and without impregnation. You can find them here on Amazon: GlisGlis Shop on Amazon

Which mosquito net is suitable for children?

Basically, you should use a mosquito net without impregnation even when traveling in tropical countries with children under 6 years of age. Since small children in particular like to play with the net, they could touch it and then later put these fingers in their mouths. We therefore recommend a mosquito net for such trips that is also suitable for children, such as our GlisGlis Green Edition mosquito nets without impregnation which has a denser mesh size and therefore does not require any impregnation. It is also recommended that pregnant women use a non-impregnated mosquito net. Many manufacturers do not mention this, but it should be pointed out.

Which mosquito net is best for tropical countries?

A mosquito net is a very important travel companion, especially when traveling to tropical countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia or Cambodia. It depends on whether the mosquitoes in the region can spread malaria or dengue fever, for example. If this is the case, or if you are not sure, it always helps to bring a mosquito net with extra protection. Our GlisGlis Blue Edition mosquito nets offer precisely this protection.

I am traveling to a malaria area. where can I inform myself?

The travel destinations where malaria or dengue fever can be transmitted by mosquitoes are mainly Thailand, Indonesia (Bali) or Vietnam and Laos. You can get detailed information on the website of the Hamburg Tropical Institute Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine

Is malaria prophylaxis advisable when traveling to malaria areas?

We personally always had a malaria prophylaxis like Malarone with us. You can buy this in every pharmacy in Germany. However, this is intended for emergencies, i.e. for the time when the disease breaks out. While traveling, we met people who took other anti-malarial pills prophylactically. You should think twice about it, as these are quite a chemistry club.

How do you keep mosquitoes away?

You can’t deter mosquitoes just with sprays. Here are a few common tips to help you keep the beasts at distance.
 

1. Wear light-colored clothing (this scares them away)
Mosquitoes and mosquitoes love to remain undetected. Therefore, they prefer darkness and usually only come out after nightfall. Light-colored clothing is not in her interest. (unfortunately this does not apply to the tiger mosquito, which can transmit dengue fever as it is active during the day)
 

2. Avoid being near water
Mosquitoes lay their eggs in water. This can sometimes be a puddle, but is usually more of a stagnant body of water such as a lake or a creek in a river. You should avoid these places after dusk if possible.
 

3. Shower more often to minimise body odor
Mosquitoes will not be attracted to light as mistakenly thought. It’s smells. And the smell of human sweat is at the top of the list. That’s why it actually makes sense to take another shower in the evening, especially in hot and humid areas, which is most holiday destinations. This is also recommended before going to sleep.
 

4. Apply mosquito spray to your skin
An anti-mosquito spray is an absolute must when going out in the evening, especially in tropical countries. People often wear short clothing here and therefore offer a lot of attack surface for mosquitoes. A mosquito spray with DEET provides some protection against bites.
 

5. Turn on the fan or air conditioner (mosquitoes don’t like wind)
Mosquitoes hate wind or air currents. Which seems logical given their size. Air conditioning or a fan in the accommodation can be helpful here. This airflow also helps to blow away your own body odor, making it harder for mosquitoes to locate you.
 

6. Use a mosquito net when sleeping
Let’s get to the most important point. At night it is absolutely advisable to sleep under a mosquito net. Only a sensible mosquito net gives you the maximum protection you need while sleeping. Here we would not rely on any of the above points. When you sleep you are defenseless and therefore have to be safe.
 

Why does the GlisGlis mosquito net have an expander in the hem?

The expander in the hem is probably the most significant advantage over conventional mosquito nets. While usual mosquito nets simply hang loosely over the bed or you have to stuff them under the mattress, our mosquito net sits securely on the mattress. This makes setting up the mosquito net quick and easy. And guarantees you maximum security against mosquitoes and other insects such as spiders or bed bugs.

Which mosquito net to use in Thailand or similar countries?

Especially for destinations like Thailand, Vietnam or other subtropical countries in Asia or South America, it’s recommended to use the right travel mosquito net. In these countries it can be hot and humid at night. The mesh size of the mosquito net should not be too narrow so that enough air can circulate. At the same time, the mesh size should not be less than 156 holes per inch, otherwise mosquitoes can get in. An additional impregnation is always advisable for malaria areas. In this case we recommend our travel mosquito nets, which are already impregnated ex works.
GlisGlis Blue Edition mosquito nets with impregnation

When is an impregnated mosquito net advisable?

The WHO (World Health Organization) recommends using an impregnated net in malaria areas such as in northern Thailand. Otherwise impregnation is not absolutely necessary.

An impregnated insect net offers greater protection against mosquitoes at night. Thanks to the impregnation with e.g. geraniol (a natural poison) mosquitoes are paralyzed or killed as soon as they land on the net. We recommend buying an already impregnated net especially for malaria areas, as impregnation at home is cumbersome and requires basic knowledge. For example, the remaining impregnation should not end up in the drain or groundwater and should be disposed of properly.

Note:
In case you’re traveling with young children (under the age of 6) Impregnated mosquito nets are not ideal, as they may put their fingers in their mouths and thus absorb the impregnation. In this case we would recommend a mosquito net without an impregnation such as our GlisGlis Green Edition mosquito nets

Impregnation of mosquito nets at home

The impregnation loses its effectiveness after a few years and needs to be refreshed to provide sufficient protection. If you want to impregnate a mosquito net for your trip, there are some sprays on Amazon that make impregnation super easy at home. It is important to read the instructions for use thoroughly.
Here is a spray from Nobite, which you can order on Amazon.
NOBITE Insect repellent spray to impregnate mosquito nets at home

Buying a mosquito net at AMAZON or IKEA?

On Amazon, of course, you can choose from a variety of mosquito nets for home or travel. Please note that there are a lot of cheap but not high quality nets. Our mosquito nets are also available on Amazon. You can find us on Amazon here GlisGlis Shop on Amazon

Mosquito net made of cotton or polyester?

Our mosquito nets are made of polyester. Even if cotton makes more ecological sense, polyester nets have decisive advantages. A mosquito net made of polyester does not absorb odours, weighs less, does not absorb moisture and therefore cannot mold. And is more resilient.

How to impregnate a mosquito net yourself?

Mosquito nets are also easy to impregnate yourself. There are various sprays available in the shops with which you can simply spray the mosquito net. This provides additional protection against mosquitoes and other insects, which is especially important in malaria areas. If you want to save yourself the effort and expense, you should buy an impregnated mosquito net.

Is a anti mosquito spray useful in tropical areas?

Mosquito sprays effectively protect against bites. They act like an invisible protective layer on the skin. Depending on the active ingredient used, this irritates the mosquitoes because they can no longer detect the body odour. At best, it even drives them away. A common active ingredient used here is DEET.
 

However, we would only recommend these sprays as additional protection if, for example, you are travelling in a tropical country in the evening. Especially at night or on longer trips, it is not necessarily healthy to spray yourself with chemicals all the time. Especially when travelling with children or pregnant women, please be sure to read the instructions for use.

How tight should a mosquito net be?

That depends on the place of use. If you travel to tropical regions it is an advantage if the mosquito net offers a good air circulation so it doesn’t get too stuffy underneath. Better don’t chose a too high mesh size number like e.g. everything above 300 holes per square Inch. On the other hand, the holes should not be so big that mosquitoes can get inside the mosquito net. The WHO generally recommends a mesh size of 156 or higher. In areas with malaria danger with additional impregnation. All our mosquito nets have a mesh size of 220 holes per square Inch. Our Blue Edition has an impregnation with Green First repellent already added.

What attracts mosquitoes?

What exactly attracts mosquitoes? Contrary to what you might think, the little bloodsuckers are not attracted to light. Rather, it is the smell of sweat that attracts mosquitoes of all kinds. Especially in areas with warm summer nights, the risk of becoming prey to mosquitoes increases. Mosquito sprays that are applied to the skin can help here. These cover the smell of sweat and also have a deterrent effect on mosquitoes. A mosquito net over your bed at night is the best option.

Can you wash a mosquito net?

Mosquito nets for the bed can be washed at up to 30 degrees without any problems. Most mosquito nets on the market are made of polyester and therefore do not get very dirty. Unlike cotton mosquito nets, polyester mosquito nets do not absorb odours. We recommend simply airing mosquito nets well, they hardly ever need washing.

 
Note: Travel mosquito nets with impregnation can also be washed. Because of the impregnation, it is essential to read the instructions for use. We recommend washing either in the machine (hand wash or sports textiles mode) or with gloves and a bucket so that the impregnation does not get onto the skin.

When are mosquitoes most active?

The simple rule: mosquitoes become active at dusk and start hunting. In destinations close to the equator, such as Thailand, this can sometimes happen very quickly. It is therefore advisable to be clothed at nightfall and to spray any exposed parts of your body with a mosquito spray. Important: this does not apply to the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) which can transmit dengue fever. Unfortunately, this mosquito is also active during the day and can therefore strike around the clock.

Repairing a mosquito net

A mosquito net can be repaired quickly and easily at home. Only an intact mosquito net can do its job and protect you from mosquito bites. Especially in areas with lots of mosquitoes or malaria, even a single hole in the net fabric can be a problem. For this reason, you should regularly check your mosquito net for damage such as tears or holes.
 

If it is damaged, you can repair it in different ways. The easiest way is to tape over the hole with an adhesive strip or a piece of Leukoplast. There are special adhesive strips on Amazon that are made for exactly this purpose. These mosquito net repair kits are very easy to use for non-professionals. Take the repair patch out of the pack, remove the adhesive tape behind it and then simply stick the patch onto the damaged area of the mosquito net. Done.
 

Mosquito net repair set on Amazon

 
Another method is to simply sew the area. With a bit of thread and a needle, the damage is quickly repaired and your mosquito net is sealed again. However, this depends very much on your skills. So if you are already traveling and discover a tear in the mosquito net, this may be the easiest and quickest way to get your mosquito net secure again.

Mosquito net without suspension system

There are mosquito nets on the market that can be used without a suspension system. These so-called “mosquito domes” or mosquito tents are not hung over the bed, but are constructed more like a camping tent that you put up. Several flexible poles are included in this mosquito net tent, which are put together as usual with a net. The advantage here is that you don’t have to rely on hooks on the ceiling or other hanging options.
 

However, the disadvantages of such a mosquito tent outweigh the advantages, in our opinion. Such a mosquito tent is not exactly space-saving, as the poles are built in and quit big in size. This can quickly take up half of a suitcase. And thanks to the metal poles, these mosquito tents are not exactly light either. In addition, the space inside this mosquito tent is not generous and is not really made for two people traveling.
 

Conclusion:
There is actually always a hook or other hanging option above the bed when traveling to install a mosquito net. We therefore recommend lightweight and space-saving variants such as our pyramid-shaped travel mosquito nets. These are lightweight, quick to set up and offer space for up to two people.

WHO recommendation mosquito net

Basically, the higher the mesh count, the finer the mesh of a mosquito net. At the same time, however, the air circulation decreases, which is not desirable in tropical regions. The WHO recommends a mesh size of at least 156 for areas where there is a risk of malaria. Additional protection can be achieved with a travel mosquito net with impregnation.

Mosquito net with floor

A bottom in the mosquito net prevents insects from entering from below. It offers additional protection and comfort, especially in tropical regions or places where mosquitoes or other insects can transmit diseases. Our mosquito net uses this trick, as it firmly encloses the mattress with the expander and thus forms a floor. This means you no longer have to go to the trouble of fitting the mattress of the bed into the inside of the mosquito net. It’s like killing two birds with one stone. Or two mosquitoes in this case 😉