Buying a mosquito net | What is important to know?

When buying a mosquito net online or in a shop, there are a few criteria to consider. Various points play an important role, such as the design of the net, the mesh size or extra features such as a tensioning device in the ridge. Also important – does the mosquito net have an entrance or not?

In general, the area of use should always be taken into account when buying a mosquito net. This is because the mesh size, the design and any impregnation play an important role. Or are even counterproductive. A high mesh density protects against the smallest mosquitoes, but can be a disadvantage on hot and humid tropical nights because it does not allow air to circulate.

Which mosquito net shape is the right one for me?

The design of a mosquito net is probably one of the most important decisions. How much comfort do you want? How quick and easy should it be to put up? Which design is better for two people in bed?

Advantage: Mosquito net in Pyramid shape

Pyramid-shaped mosquito nets can be set up quickly and easily and offer space for two people. As they only have one suspension point, they are hung on a single hook in the centre above the double bed. The flexible pop-up ring in the ridge extends the space inside upwards.

Advantage: Mosquito net in Cube shape

Box-shaped mosquito nets create a lot of space inside thanks to their vertical walls. It offers space for at least two people in a double bed. The box shape is slightly more complex to set up than the pyramid shape, as it has to be secured in the room with at least 4 cords. This requires a little more patience, but pays off in the end. Ideal for travellers who don’t sleep somewhere else every night.

Buying a mosquito net with entrance. What offers the most protection?

When buying a mosquito net, you should also look out for different opening options. Some manufacturers often offer mosquito nets without an entrance. Which is the lowest class. Or with two overlapping fabric panels, which makes it easier to get in and out. However, this also opens a certain gateway for mosquitoes. Some manufacturers offer mosquito nets with a zip entrance as the most convenient and safest option. These can be opened quickly and easily and closed again securely.

This means that the variants with a zip offer greater protection.

Mesh material and mesh size

As already mentioned, the place of use is very important for the mesh size of the mosquito net. Generally speaking, mosquito nets with a mesh density of 156 (meshes per square inch) or more are considered safe against the most common types of mosquito.

When travelling to tropical regions with a possible risk of communicable diseases, the mesh size should be 156 mesh or slightly higher. An impregnation should also be applied.

When travelling to cool regions such as Scotland or Scandinavia, where there are various species of mosquitoes with a small body size, the mesh density should be significantly higher at 300 to 1000 mesh.

For more information about the correct mesh size please visit our Mosquito net – which MESH size?

Buying a mosquito net with impregnation? Or without?

Another important question when buying the right mosquito net. Generally speaking, you don’t need any additional impregnation on mosquito nets when travelling in Europe. The risk of being infected with diseases such as malaria or dengue fever is very low here.
When travelling to tropical regions, the risk of infectious diseases increases significantly. When travelling to these risk areas, the WHO recommends a mosquito net with at least mesh 156 plus additional impregnation.

You can find more information on mosquito nets with impregnation here: Blue Edition | travel mosquito nets with impregnation

What mounting material is included in the scope of delivery?

Many manufacturers offer a mounting set as part of the scope of delivery, which can vary depending on the manufacturer and variant. A few hooks or dowels or even a piece of cord are often offered in a set when buying a mosquito net.

Don’t be fooled

However, it must also be said that many manufacturers try to advertise a cheap hook or two dowels as a great installation kit to distract from the inferior quality or simplicity of the mosquito net. After all, you often have a piece of string or a dowel at home.

Personally, we are big fans of Tesa adhesive hooks, as they can be easily attached in almost any room and removed without leaving any residue. They can hold up to 500g per hook and can be attached individually, such as the pyramid shape, or as a group, such as the cube shape.

What colours are mosquito nets available in? And which one should you buy?

Mosquito nets come in all sorts of different colours. The best-selling colour is definitely white. But while an outdoor fan might opt for a mosquito net in olive green, his daughter would prefer a pink mosquito net over her bed.

Basically, we would recommend buying a white mosquito net as, on the one hand, it can be easily integrated into any bedroom in terms of colour. Secondly, a white net simply looks airier and lighter and is also easier to see at night in the dark. A black mosquito net, on the other hand, looks very transparent when you look through it from the inside.

But basically the colour doesn’t matter.
Neither for you nor for the mosquitoes.