Traveling somewhere warm and potentially buggy? Mosquito nets are essential!
At Tedderfield we love to travel! Whether we are going to exotic places in Africa, Asia, South America, and beyond, or visiting places closer to home in the United States, one of the things that makes travel more enjoyable is not having to worry about bugs.
We have lived, worked and traveled in many places where mosquito borne diseases are a serious concern and we always travel with high quality mosquito nets.
With all of the mosquito borne diseases found in the US and around the world, protecting those you love from mosquito bites is increasingly important.
In addition to keeping mosquitoes and the diseases they may carry away, mosquito nets also provide protection from spiders, flies, roaches, bees or any other bugs that might appear, not to mention snakes, geckos, lizards or anything else that might be wandering the areas where you sleep or hang out!
Our recommendation is always travel with mosquito nets!
This scene looks idyllic, but she is easy prey for mosquitoes and other bugs! A travel mosquito net could be hung from the inner roof of this hut and draped over the bench for great bug protection.
What features are best in a travel mosquito net?
We recommend nets that:
- are made of high quality polyester which is lightweight and sturdy
- have a polyester fabric weight of no less than 50 Denier (anything lighter weight than this will tear easily)
- have mesh that is at least 156 holes/square inch…the greater the number of holes per square inch, the tighter the weave. The tighter the weave, the worse the air flow. 156 holes/square inch is the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation. (Don’t get less than 156 holes/square inch because mosquitoes and other bugs may be able to go through it. More than 156 holes/square inch may feel stuffy underneath.)
- have a single attachment point for quick and easy hanging
- can be used inside and outside
- are a large size that can cover a variety of things (beds, tables, chaise lounges, etc.)
- fold into a cloth carry bag that will easily fit in a roll aboard suitcase, backpack, etc.
What makes Tedderfield’s Extra Large Conical Mosquito Net the Best Travel Mosquito Net?
- The net is truly extra large…8.5 ft. tall (with rope included in the hanging kit for higher ceilings) with a bottom circumference of 42 ft.
- Will cover all sizes of beds and cribs, and you can use it inside and outside to cover a table and chairs, a chaise lounge, etc.
- A single attachment point allows for quick and easy hanging
- One double overlap door (one door means fewer potential gaps!)
- Folds into a cloth carry bag that fits easily in a roll aboard suitcase and weighs only a pound.
- Includes a hanging kit with rope, screw hook and plastic anchor, and can also be hung without leaving marks by using a velcro picture hanger or adhesive ceiling hook.
- Made of premium quality polyester mesh, 156 holes per square inch, with a fabric weight of 50 Denier.
Mosquito Net Travel Tips
- If you hang a mosquito net over a bed, tuck it firmly into the mattress! This will ensure that no bugs or other creatures can get inside.
- If you need to get up during the night, just gently pull out the net on your side of the bed and then tuck it back in when you get back in bed.
- Mosquito net doors are usually double overlap. You want to make sure they are properly overlapping and also tucked in. If your net has one door, you can put it in the center at the base of the bed for an easy entry and tuck it in. Then, just lift your side to get out if you are sharing a bed.
- If you are covering something that doesn’t allow for tucking in, then be sure the net drapes all the way to the floor, all the way around.
- If you are using a net outside and it’s breezy, make sure the net drapes all the way to the ground, and then secure it with whatever is handy…rocks, wood, wine bottles, flower pots, etc. You can gently lift these to go in and out as needed.
- If you’re staying in a hotel or vacation rental, we recommend using velcro picture hangers (Command strips is one kind by the brand 3M) or adhesive ceiling hooks for hanging without leaving marks.
- Great quality mosquito nets make wonderful gifts to offer to local friends or to leave for local staff. (It can be difficult for people to find good quality mosquito nets in many parts of the world and that gives you a little extra space in your suitcase for souvenirs!)
Are you traveling with a baby or toddler?
Mosquito nets are also essential for keeping bugs away from precious baby skin! Did you know that it’s better to cover your baby with a net than to use insect repellent?
Tedderfield’s zipper top net is a great travel mosquito net for babies! Use it inside and outside to keep away all bugs (mosquitoes, bees, spiders, etc.).
- Cover playpens, playards, bassinets, all sizes of strollers, baby backpack carriers, and more.
- The drawstring base makes it adaptable, allowing you to cinch it tight around the base of whatever you want to cover. This is much easier and better than the elastic base found on most baby nets which cannot be adjusted.
- The 2-way zippers allows for fast and easy access. No more having to take a net off to reach your baby!
- When this baby mosquito net covers a playpen or playard, we recommend: position the zippers where you want them, pull the drawstring base tight, and tuck the net under playpen wheels/legs so that the net is stretched tight across the top. When used this way, it will “catch” any lightweight toys should they happen to be tossed in that direction.
- When using this net as a stroller net, it provides a see-through barrier, allowing people you meet to see and greet your baby without reaching out to them with potentially unwashed hands.
Prevent Mosquito Bites While Traveling!
In addition to using mosquito nets inside and outside, there are a number of things you can do to make sure you don’t end up with a mosquito bite that might carry a disease…
- It’s a good idea to visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel website at least a month before you go anywhere outside of the United States. You can find out which mosquito borne diseases may be active in the places you will visit. Medication can prevent malaria and there is a vaccine against Yellow Fever. This site will alert you to any vaccinations you may need.
- Wear light colored and loose fitting clothes. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors and can bite through tightly woven fabric!
- Use EPA-approved insect repellent. Be sure to follow the instructions and re-apply as recommended.
- Some kinds of mosquitoes are especially active at dawn and dusk, so be sure to wear long sleeves, long pants and socks at those times and use repellent.
- Other kinds of mosquitoes are active all day long. So best to at least wear repellent if it’s too warm to be covered in clothing.
- Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale. So, if you’ve gone for a nice run or played a hard game of volleyball or any other sport, and you’re breathing hard, it’s best to stretch and cool down inside or under a mosquito net!
- If you want to do yoga outside, hang a mosquito net, anchor it with whatever is handy and enjoy an outdoor workout without worrying about bites.
- When you return from traveling anywhere with mosquito borne disease and you have symptoms like: headache, body aches, fever, chills, vomiting, be sure to tell your doctor that you could have been exposed to a mosquito borne disease.
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