Mosquito Nets

[Sarah]

I realize after reading the information on bed nets on the CDC website, thanks Susanne, that they can be purchased at camping and military outlet stores. But I wonder if anyone in the states has had good luck finding them at a particular store, and at a good price, that they could recommend. How much do they cost? Can they be purchased in the DR? Where? Thanks for any help, Sarah

 

[Ganon]

They can be purchased in the DR at almost any major store and at many of the colmados. It shouldn't be hard to find them, especially in the capital and Santiago.

 

[Charlotte]

I got mine at Eastern Mountain Sports, about $30 US. I believe they have a web site, but I bought mine in the mall.

Charlotte

 

[RW]

They are widely available in the DR as Ganon wrote. I would recommend buying 1 down there b/c it will be much cheaper; I purchased 1 for under US$5 @ La Sirena in Santo Domingo.

 

[Sarah]

Well here's a question then: The one you bought in the DR, do you remember if it was it impregnated with the insecticide permethrin, as the CDC site recommends? Thanks for the help!

 

[arcoiris]

I think they are not, so I brought a spray can on the trip with me and sprayed it myself.

 

[RW]

No, but I sprayed it as well like arcoiris did.

 

[Gunnar]

What is the use of spraying/impregnating anyway? The key function
of the net is to keep the mosquitos at more than sticking
distance at the same time as providing the sleeper with a
poison-free environment. Tha latter might not be important
at temporary use, but I wouldn't like to sleep in pesticide
year after year. I?m reasonably sure that no net you buy
here will have anything like that. (The ones we have in the
family certainly haven't)

What you might consider is a box of pins, or a stapler to fasten
the sides to the bed, leaving a minimal part free for entering
and leaving. Mosquitos basically track you by the carbon dioxide
you exhale, and so will go "head on" and be stopped by the net.
Other parasites like cockroaches and mice have differrent
strategies, and might climb either side of a hanging net. Even
if they dont sting or bite, you might have preferences as to which side of the net you'd like them to stay...

 

[Sarah]

I thought maybe you were going to suggest shooting the staples at the mosquitoes...just kidding. Good idea really. And as far as spraying the nets, I got the idea from the CDC site. Thanks for your help.

 

[RW]

I sprayed the net b/c I had heard of spraying it by friends. Spraying the net seemed to keep the mosquitos out of my room while I was up and awake too. I didn't over do it and the scent wasn't terribly strong. I also washed the net pretty regularly and maybe sprayed the net like once every 2-3 weeks.

Mosquitos seem to always be particularly attracted to me and I can't seem to get away from them. My mosquito bites always turn into welts and I guess I have a little allergic reaction to them. So this is the main reason that I sprayed the net down.

 

[rabble rouser]

Re: as an alternative...

..sarah,you might try using duct-tape. your hosts might not appreciate pin holes through out their furniture. duct-tape is quite strong, should leave no residue when removed, can be detached and reattached several times so it would be easy to make the bed/change the sheets each day, and has a multitude of other uses.
don't know how easy it is to get in DR, but if it isn't then here is the perfect business opportunity for you--authorized distributor in the caribbean. (i of course will expect a % of profits as originator of the idea.)

 

[Sarah]

Re: as an alternative...

Also a good idea. And funny that you mention duct tape! I almost always have a roll with me to patch torn luggage, ripped zippers, strap around trunks for travel, etc and then I leave it with my friends who I know find a multitude of uses for it. I'll try it on the nets and let you know how it works out. Am a bit worried that it might tear the netting. But we'll see! As far as the business venture goes, we're up to our orejas en cangrejo y camarones for the moment. But I'll take it under consideration.

 

[Lyse]

Re: as an alternative...

I sewed an elastic (1? inch wide) on the bottom of the net. It's perfect.

 

[Sarah]

Re: as an alternative...

Hey now, that would work too! And my girlfriend down there has a sewing machine. We'll give it a shot. Thanks, Sarah

 

[Lyse]

Re: as an alternative...

Since the net was too long (reaching the floor) I even shortened it. Some dominican friends told me "bueno tu sabes inventar"

 

[Gunnar]

I'm sorry to inform that duct tape is readily available in
any hardware store. Just be aware that anyone noticing
your possession, will "borrow" it. Price go as high as
15 pesos (.99?) a roll.
As I wrote earlier, spraying/impregnating might be ok for
a short time, but in the long run they (pesticides) can
increase latent allergic reactions.

As to affinity for mosquitos, we all have differrent levels
of carbon dioxide "exhaust". I myself am one of the "lucky"
ones, appearantly oozing CO2 from my left index.

Still, spraying, impregnating etc only made me sick. The mosquitos loved it. A simple, non-impregnated net gives me
the chance of a good nights sleep. Remains to resolve
howling dogs, partying neighbours and snoring family members.
(But as the story goes, I'm pretty good at the last item myself!)

 

[RW]

Well, you should consider yourself lucky for them not having much affinity to you. I learn to tune out all of the other distractions and mosquitos can't be tuned out by me.

 

[Jenna]

OK fill me in, do we need mosquito nets if we are staying in a hotel? Do we need repellent all the time when we go outdoors,or indoors for that matter?