According to an ancient Vietnamese legend, the birth of mosquito nets for windows can be traced back to the story of a betrayed love. Many years ago, a young couple lived in a village built on stilts. They were in love and happy, but one day she fell ill and quickly died. The husband’s torment was so great that the genie of the swamp, moved by her, decided to intervene and restored the girl’s life by drawing it from a drop of blood extracted from her husband’s finger. The magic was accomplished, because the bride immediately began to live again, and their marriage resumed, more serene and happy than ever.
After many years, she decided to flee and return the immense gift she had received, so she pricked her finger, gave the drop to her husband… and in an instant she turned to dust. Nothing left of her body, only the dust that, falling into the swamp water, transformed into a larva: a mosquito larva. The mosquito would therefore embody the unhappy wife, who relentlessly bites humans in the hope of finding the drop of blood that will restore her life.
The story is romantic enough to paint even one of the most hated insects pink, but it’s undeniable that the mosquito is a true scourge of summer evenings. It’s not like other insects: flies, midges, and moths simply circle around us, flitting around the room…but not the mosquito. It comes to us intentionally, it
seeks us out to give us a nice little bite, to steal our blood and leave nasty itchy bumps in return. What do we do about it?
If it were just a one-off, maybe we’d let it happen, we wouldn’t be so relentless in searching for the culprit and administering punishment… but it’s she who’s relentless against us, and so we can’t help but react. As they say, war is war.
Perhaps we can start off gently, avoiding sweet perfumes and light colors, and using natural substances with mosquito-repellent scents: geraniums and citronella, first and foremost, but also basil, mint, and lavender.
If we’re lucky, the problem is solved: mosquitoes are gentle, easily frightened, and perhaps they’re few in number and prefer to seek easier prey.
If, however, we’re unlucky, as is the fate of most people, “our” mosquitoes are tenacious, aggressive, and undaunted by delicate flowers and essences. Perhaps they’re “vaccinated” against the substances listed above and resist that unpleasant odor in the air.
In this case, the only option is to resort to extreme solutions and, having put aside the idea of rackets that ‘fry’ them instantly, equip yourself with mosquito nets.
Mosquito nets for curtain windows
A mosquito net is a protective device against mosquitoes, but also against other types of insects, because it acts as a barrier to anyone who tries to enter.
It’s nothing more than a mesh with extremely tight meshes, so dense and thin that it might even go unnoticed at first glance, but it still allows air to pass through; while it undoubtedly inhibits it somewhat, it’s not a significant reduction.
You place the mosquito net on the window and that’s it, the problem is solved.
Nothing can get through if the product is of good quality and positioned correctly, covering every gap and every possibility of contact with the outside world. It’s installed in the window frames through a sort of custom-made frame into which the mosquito net is inserted, which then opens and closes via a simple track. The closure is vertical for windows, while for French doors it is horizontal.
This is the curtain model, but there is also the one integrated with the frames and in this case we move from the so-called basic version to other more creative ones that mirror the structure of the frame on which they are placed. Here then are the accordion mosquito net , the sliding mosquito net , the hinged mosquito net , the mosquito net in metal mesh or plastic.
The electric mosquito net
Then there’s the electric mosquito net, designed as a sort of small oven or animal cage, equipped with an internal blue light that attracts insects thanks to specially designed UV-A emissions, causing them to fall into the net without posing any harm or danger to humans. They neutralize mosquitoes without poisoning us, so to speak.
But how do they do it? Once they get close to the lamp that emits the “magic lights,” the mosquitoes are captured by a fan that sucks them in and deposits them at the base of the cage—not dead, because the fan blades are tilted and don’t kill them; they do stun them, that’s true, it’s as if they were given a push, but it’s dehydration that causes them to die right there, at the bottom of the oven.
At the end of the evening, or the next day, the drawer, which usually has a simple self-closing mechanism, is removed and the insects are thrown away or left free, in case there are any live survivors, such as a moth.
The advantages of electric mosquito nets are clear: they don’t release invasive odors like mosquito coils, which are certainly effective but also harmful to health and impossible to use around children. Furthermore, they consume little energy because they typically feature a technologically advanced electric motor and therefore don’t significantly impact energy consumption. They are washable, equipped with a filter that releases only healthy air, and comply with European Community safety regulations.
The DIY mosquito net
And then there’s the DIY mosquito net. Even in this field, craftsmanship and inventiveness know no bounds, but there’s a tried-and-true method, suitable for those who can’t afford to buy a ready-made mosquito net or are just passing through the space they want to equip, like a vacation home, for example.
It’s very simple: attach a few small wooden planks and some tacks to the outside of the French windows and doors, then attach a very fine mesh—as tight as possible, otherwise it’s all useless.
The effectiveness of the device depends on the mesh of the canvas and its perfect fit with the slats, which are naturally less reliable than mosquito nets made with specific materials and meticulously designed to perform their function. This isn’t to say that the “homemade” version isn’t useful, but it’s worth noting that its success depends on the skill with which it’s installed and the type of mosquito influx; if the number isn’t excessive, you should be fine, but if we find ourselves in one of those situations where “siege” is the correct term to describe the situation…then it might be better to turn to a specialized product.
Links to useful websites for choosing and purchasing the ideal mosquito net for you
BAZAR – The Quick Mosquito Net
http://www.zanzarierabazar.com
DIY mosquito net online. Thanks to specific fastening and expansion patents, the products are constantly evolving in terms of technological innovation and quality. In any case, all it takes is an Allen key and, without drilling holes in the wall or requiring any technical skill, the mosquito net is fixed to the wall.
Four models are proposed:
- Bazaar . The first one with the above mentioned assembly and expansion.
- Derby . It is mounted on the roller shutter guides and is extendable.
- The easy one . The simplest, suitable for any environment and economically advantageous.
- Fantasy . For doors and windows. Particularly suitable for holiday settings.
SUNCOVER
http://www.suncover.com
A leading mosquito net manufacturer, with 40 years of experience in producing quality mosquito nets, always complete with a warranty certificate and CE marking. Suncover mosquito nets feature a pre-assembled roller system that can be adapted to both windows and French doors, and is designed to be shortened if necessary. This ensures perfect application, as all mosquito nets are equipped with a tolerance system that makes them suitable for any adaptation. A five-year warranty completes the package. Both versions— Zanzakit for windows and Zanzakit for French doors—are available in a DIY version with a spring-loaded mechanism that allows for lateral sliding opening.
AMB Mosquito Nets
http://www.ambzanzariere.com
There really are all sorts of colors, for every need and every mosquito.
- Vertical roller mosquito net for large openings, motorized movement or with single control
- Vertical roller mosquito net for large openings, motorized movement or with single control
- Vertical roller mosquito net for windows and doors, motorized or single-control movement, with reinforcement slats
- Pleated mosquito net without floor guide (the latest arrival)
All models are available in various colors and sizes, and each awning features horizontal reinforcements approximately every 60 centimeters. Additionally, a range of accessories is available depending on the model, such as a brake for the spring-loaded version, magnetic access for single-leaf side panels, a buttoned strap for all versions with buttons, a bumper, and a built-in single-lever control for all models.
PLEATED MOSQUITO NET
www.zanzarieraplisse.it
The pleated mosquito net is a horizontal sliding system featuring a pleated mesh in place of a roller and a floor guide just 3 mm thick. Its innovative features include the pleated mesh, the spring-free folding of the mosquito net, and the absence of a floor guide, making it easy to handle even for the elderly and disabled. There are also specific features specific to individual models, such as the viscodynamic brake, which can be applied to spring-operated systems regardless of whether they slide horizontally or vertically; the vertical system with a windproof brush, suitable only for vertical mosquito nets, whether spring-operated or chain-operated; the soft system, designed for horizontal models to provide balance and stability; and the recessed system, suitable for wooden window frames.
SOLIDARITY MOSQUITO NETS – 6° Continente Onlus
http://www.sesto-continente.org
For us, mosquito nets are a way to get rid of a nuisance. In other parts of the world, they’re a means of survival. A single mosquito net could save a child’s life, and multiplied by 10, 100… the math is easy. Just 10 euros and malaria will be numbered… while hundreds of children will have a new life.
