Pest Strategies

Acting as an alternative to bug spray, mosquito nets keep flying insects away. Learn about our top net recommendations here.

If you’re sleeping somewhere heavily infested with mosquitoes, no amount of sprays or other repellents will keep you bite-free throughout the night. To ensure an undisturbed night’s sleep, a mosquito net is necessary. Pest Strategies researched several options on Amazon to help you find the best mosquito net for your needs. Discover our top picks below.

 

Buying Guide

Mosquito nets protect campers from mosquito bites that could potentially transmit blood-borne illnesses. Although it may seem like all mosquito nets are one and the same, there are a few differences to note. To comb through these differences, read the following information. 

• Indoor vs. outdoor use: Indoor and outdoor mosquito nets have different designs.

• • Indoor: Though indoor nets can be used to keep out any mosquitoes that happen to make their way inside, they’re mostly used as a decorative element to accentuate a bed. However, if the insulation or weatherstripping in your home is particularly poor, an indoor net can be useful during the summer. 

• • Outdoor: Nothing ruins a trip outdoors like a swarm of blood-thirsty mosquitoes. Fortunately, wearable nets that cover your head and face are available to prevent countless would-be bites. A simple mosquito net can also be used to keep flying insects out of gazebos, hammocks, and tents. 

• Size: Many mosquito nets come in a pre-cut size. If you can’t find the right size, you can buy a roll of mosquito netting and trim it to meet your exact size specifications. Mid-sized nets generally cover the area required for one adult to sit or stand comfortably. Smaller, more compact models are available to protect a child or pet. 

• Material: Most mosquito nets are made using polyester, nylon, or plastic. These fibers are finely woven together to create a soft, silky mesh. If a mosquito net is labeled as “luxury,” this usually means that its mesh is softer than the competition — similar to high-thread-count pillows and sheets. 

• Hole count: Some manufacturers provide you with a hole count over a certain area, which tells how small the holes in the mesh are. The greater the number, the harder it is for mosquitoes and other flying insects to penetrate the netting. 

• Closure design: While wearable mosquito nets slip on or off or use a drawstring, many nets use a zipper closure that allows you to enter and exit the protected space. Zippers tend to be the most secure closure option, while fabric fasteners may allow a few mosquitoes in.

• Hanging design: Many mosquito nets have the ability to hang above you, though the hanging mechanism varies among products. Some nets, for example, are hung with ropes and carabiners secured to nearby trees. Others hang from a gazebo, ceiling, or other structure using the included hardware. 

 

How To Maximize the Use of Your Mosquito Net

Mosquito nets are remarkably versatile items that can be used in a variety of situations — not just for sleeping at night. Here are some tips and ideas to help you maximize the use of your mosquito net:

• Use a mosquito net to cover growing plants. While fully grown plants tend to be pretty resilient, baby plants are sensitive to pests and could die prematurely unless they’re protected. With the breathability of a net, your plants will still get ample sunlight, air, and water. 

• Wear a mosquito net around your head while you’re doing yard work. Even if there aren’t many mosquitoes out during the heat of the day, other bugs may be attracted to the sweat on your skin. You can also find full-body netting to protect your arms and legs if you’re working near a body of water where mosquitoes and other biting insects tend to swarm. 

• Consider an insecticide-treated net. Though many mosquito nets don’t come pre-treated, some do. They work as a two-part protection system against mosquito bites.

• Cut a large roll of netting to meet your needs. Bed canopies and wearable nets already come in set sizes, but a roll allows you to cut just the right amount of netting for whatever you need to cover. Here are several items you can cover with cut netting: 

• • • Food at an outdoor event
    • Doorways of a treehouse or other outdoor play area
    • Personal belongings at the beach
    • Doorways of an open garage
• Don’t allow too much tension. If you’re using a tight-fitting mosquito net for a baby stroller, mattress, or other purpose, leave some slack. Too much tension in the mesh webbing makes it prone to tearing. 

 

 

FAQs

• Will a regular, general-purpose net work in place of a mosquito net? 

Yes, but it may not work as well as a mosquito net depending on the size of its holes. 

• Why should I choose a mosquito net over repellents or other mosquito-related products? 

Unless they’re pre-treated with insecticides, mosquito nets are a chemical-free way to avoid getting bitten. Most nets are also reusable, so they’re more environmentally friendly than sprays or other repellents that come in single-use plastic bottles. 

• Can I hang a mosquito net by myself? 

It depends on the size of the net. Mosquito nets for personal use, such as head nets, are easy to don with no help. Larger canopy-style nets for queen- or king-size mattresses, however, may be easier to hang with someone else’s help.

• What items can I pair with a mosquito net to make camping more enjoyable?

Camping and mosquito bites often go hand in hand. Though bug sprays, long sleeves, and fine-mesh tents are your primary weapons to ward off mosquitoes, we also recommend using a portable fan to keep mosquitoes away from your immediate area.

• Are mosquito nets available in other colors besides white? 

Yes. The majority of mosquito nets come in white, but there are a handful of colorful options. Other common colors are brown and green to blend in with the surrounding landscape. 

 

 

Pest Strategies provides reviews of select products that are top-selling on Amazon and/or popular in consumer searches. Our team evaluates the products based on industry research, consumer reviews, pricing data, and other objective criteria. Unless otherwise noted, these product reviews are intended to help inform buying decisions for non-professionals. Because pest control products can be dangerous to your family if mishandled, we always recommend consulting with an exterminator, even if just to ask for advice on how to apply pest control products yourself.