nets for protection against mosquito bites

Last edited 12/2019

Nets for protection against mosquito bites

• if sleeping outdoors or in unscreened accommodation, insecticide-treated mosquito nets should be used
  
  
• protective efficacy against malaria for travellers has been estimated at 50%
  
  
• mosquito bed nets must be free of tears and should be tucked in under the mattress
  
  
• insecticide (pyrethroid)-impregnated bed nets improve protection because they help to prevent
  • (a) biting through the net on parts of the body touching the net,
  • (b) mosquitoes surviving long enough near a net to find any tears in the net which may exist
  • (c) diversion of mosquitoes from someone under a net to someone in the same room without a net
    
    
• most of the nets now available are long-lasting impregnated nets. In these products the pyrethroid is incorporated into the material of the net itself or bound to it with a resin
  • have an expected useful life of at least 3 years
  • if using standard nets these will need to be re-impregnated every 6 to 12 months (depending on how frequently the net is washed) to remain effective
  • if a traveller purchases a standard impregnated net, the 6 months starts from the date when it starts to be used and washed, as washing and handling are the main factors removing the pyrethroid

Reference:

• Public Health England. Guidelines for malaria prevention in travellers from the UK 2019