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Use a Mosquito Net for Camping to Keep Those Pests Away

Use a Mosquito Net for Camping to Keep Those Pests Away

No matter how much people enjoy camping, there’s literally no one who enjoys sharing the activity with mosquitoes. Plainly stated, mosquitoes suck…literally and figuratively. That’s why today we’re checking out the value of a mosquito net for camping.

We dedicated an entire post to mosquito repellent for camping, and shared some other ideas for repelling them in a chemical-free way in our video, “Keep Mosquitoes Away Without Bug Repellent“.

But today we’re focusing on bug nets for camping that can protect campers who find themselves in an area particularly thick with mosquitoes.

Thanks to diseases like West Nile virus and Zika, protection from mosquitoes is more than just minimizing an annoyance. Serious health consequences can result from mosquitoes in some areas.

Can mosquito netting help? It turns out, it can!

In fact, in places like sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and even parts of Central and South America where malaria is prevalent, it’s common for people (especially vulnerable babies and children) to sleep under bug netting indoors. Bed nets save lives in those areas.

So, are there bug nets or bug tents for camping that’ll allow you to relax & enjoy, or even get a good night’s sleep outside, without those blood-thirsty vultures ruining your camping trip?

Let’s find out!

What Is a Mosquito Net for Camping?

Essentially, what we’re talking about here is any sort of insect protection system that involves using netting to keep bugs out of your camping space.

This could be any area where you relax, eat, or even work.

It could also be where you hit the hay if you’re a camper who sleeps outdoors. In fact, if you saw our post on portable hammocks, you found a great use for bug nets for camping.

A mosquito net for camping can actually come in a number of different forms.

You can buy netting to attach to the open back or side door of your RV or van. There’s also netting designed to form a “bug bubble” of sorts around you and your camping chairs or hammock, or you can carry a pop-up screen tent of some kind.

There are screen tents for campers, (sometimes referred to as portable screen houses or screened canopies), that are very popular among RVers. Some are even water resistant or offer sun protection up to 50 SPF. These include options like the Coleman screened canopy tents, Clam’s Quick Set tents, or Alvantor’s screen rooms.

But, those screened-in rooms aren’t what we’re talking about today.

Popular Bug Nets for Camping

Let’s take a look at several different types of mosquito nets/bug nets for camping with plenty of decent user reviews.

Coghlan’s Rectangular Mosquito Net

This multi-purpose rectangular mosquito net for camping is very popular and well-reviewed.

Made of polyester material with an ultra-fine 240 mesh, it’s lightweight, washable, and can be used indoors or out.

The dimensions are 78″ x 63″ x 59″ and it can be anchored/suspended using poles or ropes (not included) with the loops at the bottom corners.

Coghlan sells six different models of this popular mosquito netting, some with 180 mesh, and some with 240. These numbers refer to the number of holes per square inch. The larger the number, the more holes/openings per square inch, which means they’re smaller/tighter.

A tighter mesh/weave means a couple of things…

First, the smaller openings of the tighter 240 mesh prevent smaller insects from getting through.

However, smaller openings also equal less airflow. So if you tend to camp in summer in areas where it’s very hot, you’ll want to keep this in mind as well.

It can be used over sleeping bags, cots, chairs, etc., to provide a fully-enclosed area protected against mosquitoes and other small biting insects. You can even get creative and drape the net over a large deck umbrella to create a bug-free sitting area.
This bug net for camping packs down small and stuffs into a little drawstring compression sack (included). It also comes with screws for hanging indoors or on a porch.

It’ll fit nicely over a couple of regular camping chairs for eating meals or spending time outside.

The downsides of this particular bug net are that it’s not very tall at 59″, and it doesn’t have access doors, meaning you’ll be lifting the side of the tent for entry and exit.

As with all lightweight mosquito netting, the material is prone to tearing if not used carefully.

Coghlan’s Mosquito Net

Also from Coghlan, this 1-pound polyester circular mosquito net has dimensions of 10″ x 8″ x 2″, making it large enough to fit over a double bed or a couple of camping cots or sleeping bags.

Note that this net has a single-point suspension design so it’s best hung from above. (It comes with a hanging kit, so consider using a tree branch as a hanging point.) It’s 8 feet tall with a 41-foot circumference, has multiple tie-down points at the bottom, and is available in 180-mesh or 240-mesh.

Coghlan's Travellers Mosquito Net
  • Circular mosquito net for travelers and campers; fits over double bed, two cots, or sleeping bags
  • Single-point suspension design with height of 8 feet, 2 inches; 41-foot circumference

This bug net for camping also comes in a hiker’s size:

Sale
Coghlan's Hikers Mosquito Net
  • Superfine mosquito netting protects you while you sleep
  • Single-point suspension system with a 6-inch sheeting border that tucks under mat or sleeping bag

MosquitOasis Pop-Up Mosquito Net Tent

MosquitOasis measures 75″ x 30″ x 32″ for this black polyester pop-up bug screen tent that offers 100% enclosure and pops up instantly.

This bug net tent is lightweight and compact and includes a carry bag for storage.

There are also inside hooks where a camping lantern, solar camping light, or a small fan could be hung, and an interior pocket for phones, etc.

Reviews are overall good for this camping net tent, but we encourage you to scan through them for details that may be pertinent to your personal camping situation.

Wicked Cool MosquitOasis Pop-Up Mosquito Net Tent for Summer Camps and Camping
  • Nice Polyester and Fine Mosquito Netting
  • Designed in the USA, made in China

Wise Owl Outfitters Hammock Bug Net – The SnugNet

The SnugNet is a hammock bug net from Wise Owl Outfitters made of waterproof nylon superfine mesh.

It has a double-sided zipper so you can zip and unzip it from either the inside or the outside.

This bug net for camping includes a 30-foot-long ridge line and a compact storage/carry case. The entire package weighs about a pound.

You string the ridge line between the two trees from which your hammock will hang, and hook the net to it. From the inside, feed the hammock ends through the ends of the net and tighten the drawcords.

The SnugNet hammock bug net is easy to set up and use, and reviews are excellent.

Wise Owl Outfitters Bug Net - The SnugNet Mosquito Net for Hammocks - Premium Quality, Waterproof, Mesh Netting w/Double-Sided Zipper - Essential Camping Gear, Black
  • Comfortable: Whether you're relaxing by the fire or sleeping under the stars, our roomy hammock bug net has everything you need to stay covered and...
  • Packable: Lightweight and convenient, our hammock mosquito net packs down small into its included carry bag. Throw it in your backpack and go!

ENO, Eagles Nest Outfitters JungleNest Hammock

Finally, ENO’s JungleNest is a 10-foot hammock that comes with a structural ridge line and an integrated bug net.

A spreader bar increases interior volume, and there’s also some hanging storage inside.

The JungleNest weighs about 1.25 pounds and packs up small. The hammock and net stow inside an included carry sack.

The ENO JungleNest is very highly rated by users who overwhelmingly agree that it’s well worth the (considerable) investment.

ENO, Eagles Nest Outfitters JungleNest Hammock, Evergreen
  • Extended 10' Hammock with Structural Ridgeline
  • Featherlite DAC Spreader Bar Boosts Interior Volume

Final Notes About Mosquito Nets for Camping

We want to mention a couple of additional notes for campers who use a bug net for camping.

Many campers treat clothing, tents, hammocks, and mosquito nets with bug repellent. This one is a permethrin-based spray that bonds to fabric for up to 6 weeks or through 6 washings, and it’s odorless once dry.

The manufacturer says that it won’t stain or damage clothing, fabrics, plastics, finished surfaces, or outdoor gear and it’s effective against more than 55 kinds of insects including mosquitoes, ticks, and chiggers.

Sale
Sawyer Products SP657 Premium Permethrin Insect Repellent for Clothing, Gear & Tents, Trigger Spray, 24-Ounce
  • Add a layer of protection to your clothing and gear with Permethrin insect and tick repellent spray — perfect for use on shirts, jackets, pants,...
  • Ideal for backpacking, backyard BBQs, and other outdoor activities, it's effective against more than 55 kinds of insects — from disease-spreading...

Pro Tip — The OFF!Cast Mosquito Forecast lets you fill in the zip code of an area you’re interested in visiting. Then OFF!Cast will give you an assessment of how thick the mosquitoes are in that area on the date of your search.

Happy camping!

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Judy Bowen

Monday 20th of March 2023

I used midge netting and a 2nd screen over all my RV screens , applied with magnets, and it has worked very well to keep the little critters out. But the mothers were too much for anything and found a way in!!

Judy Bowen

Monday 20th of March 2023

@Judy Bowen, Moths, not mothers, and did keep the mosquitoes and midges out.

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