Canopy Nets

Spacious and comfortable, which allows great air circulation and hence is cool. Requires multiple points of support. Most suited to indoor use in a permanent location.

 

Conical Nets

These are hung from a single support point which allows for more flexibility than a canopy net. Also suitable for irregular bed sizes. Ideal for both permanent and temporary locations but usually indoors.

 

Pop Up Dome and Tent Nets

Extremely versatile, light, easy to erect and pack away. No need for any supports. They are completely self contained and can be used on beds or on the ground, indoors or out. Small volume so little air movement. Best suited to travellers where low weight and versatility are essential.

 

Mesh Size

Different nettings have different hole sizes. Hole size is a compromise between comfort and blocking insects. The larger the holes, the more breathable the net, thus the more comfortable, but larger holes mean that more insects can get through and bite you. Smaller holes, while preventing almost all insects from penetrating to biting level, prevent air recycling, and are therefore much more clammy and hot to sleep in. All our nets have a mesh size that is the ideal compromise between these considerations.

 

Insecticide Treatment

Our mosquito nets are treated with Permethrin or Deltamethrin to help enhance their protective qualities. These treatments and the dosage we use are recommended by the World Health Organisation and have three key benefits:

 

It reduces the number of insects within a room (and hence risk of bites and disease). + It deters insects from biting through the netting. + It helps protect damaged or poorly erected nets.

 

Insect Repellent

Insect Repellents are generally split into two categories - those based on DEET and DEET-free preparations. All repellents need to be reapplied at regular intervals, especially after swimming and in hot, humid countries, when they can be removed by sweating. When both sunscreens and repellents are used, sunscreen should be applied first and then repellent. The following basic rules apply to the use of all insect repellents:

 

Don’t spray directly onto your face. Use only on exposed skin. Avoid contact with lips and eyes. Wash hands after application. Don’t apply to cuts, abrasions, broken or irritated skin. Wash off the repellent with soap and water when it is no longer needed. Sunscreen containing repellent should be avoided.

 

DEET-based Insect Repellents

The chemical N,N-Diethyl-meta-Toluamide (DEET) has been widely regarded as the most effective insect repellent available for many years.

 

For general use, a 50% DEET formulation such as Repel 55 provides good protection for around 6 hours. Products containing 50% DEET are safe for use by pregnant and breast-feeding women. DEET should not be used on children under the age of two years. Over this age, a mild strength may be used but particular care must be taken to ensure they are not able to swallow repellent, and that it does not come into contact with their eyes or mouth. Manufacturers instructions regarding age restrictions on products should always be followed.

 

DEET-free Insect Repellents

Over the years, many substances have been advocated as alternatives to the use of DEET. Many, if not most, of these have been shown to be relatively ineffective against biting insects.

 

An exception is the bio-engineered insect repellent Saltidin, which has been available for some 10 years and is generaly considered as the best DEET-free repellent available. It provides equivalent protection to 50% DEET products, and can safely be used on children over the age of two years. Saltidin is the active ingredient in the Ecoguard range of insect repellents.

 

Other preparations containing various herbal mixtures, Vitamin B or garlic, have very questionable effectiveness and should be avoided. Devices that emit a sonic tone inaudible to humans are not effective.