Poll: Did you use a mosquito net while on your trip?

From reading the forums, looks to me like the crowd runs 50/50 on the net issue. Some say it's essential and others say it's the one thing they lugged around and didn't use the whole time. I like the idea of keeping crawling bugs off, as well as the mosquitoes, but am adverse to spending the extra cash and space to bring one if it's easier to use coils/plug ins, etc. Thought I'd take a quick poll. Hopefully I've managed to use the poll feature correctly.

Did you use yours?

a) Yes, but I was backpacking.
b) Yes, most of the time.
c) Yes, sometimes.
d) No, didn't need it.

Hmm, got an error after filling out the poll fields and so it's not displaying correctly. Would still love to hear comments.

Hi ceashel

I have added the poll to your thread.

My own experience is that I have never taken my own mosquito net to India. I have sometimes used one if provided in the hotel, but more often there either wasn't one or it wasn't necessary anyway.

Thanks, Julia! I hit the back button to edit the original text and it didn't like that. Much appreciated!

I never used one. I have only been to India in July, so I get air conditioned hotel rooms. I've never felt the need to use a mosquito net since the windows are shut.

I've only received one mosquito bite.

In something like 48 weeks in India we've used mosquito nets only twice, and then only because they were provided by the hotel and already rigged.

Used them then mostly because it seemed like a neat adventure, though in the back of our minds was the thought, "Well, if they think we really need them here, then maybe..."

We rely on our own All Out plug-in atomizer.

I've never carried a net, but in places where they are provided (Puri, Mahabalipuram), I use them. Malaria isn't the only disease carried by those East Coast mossies. I also take plenty of Deet for where there are no nets.

On several trips to the North East I have used the mosquito nets provided. (In Assam, in Arunachal Pradesh, in the Andamans.)

I packed my own net also but it has never been unpacked. It does not weigh much but takes up too much space in the backpack.

Just curious----could someone explain the option "Yes but i was backpacking" ----cheers

Most of the hotels would provide you either mosquito mat or liquid, so it should not be required!

I feel, in case, they don't provide, you may purchase All Out liquid, and carry to various locations! It would be lesser cumbersome to carry and would sit in any corner of your backpack.

Except that, depending on the area, degree of infestation, and the mossie species, All out (and like products) can prove to be pretty much useless!

Coils, on the other hand, are usually more effective (and also more harmful in the long run).

In this age of the net, why go for anything else?

.

That sounds... funny? but anyway..
No I`m a backpacker and I use duct tape

I assume it to mean, "Yes, but I was sleeping rough and camping out of doors in dangerously infested country, and it would have been madness to do anything less."

I can't wait for someone to tick that option---hope it doesn't go to waste

Exactly! Thanks for translating.

I appreciate all the comments. Makes me feel a bit better about leaving that off my packing list. Have plenty of DEET on board and plan on picking up some plug ins or coils if needed.

I usually light a coil in a closed room when I go out to dinner; by the time I get back, the coil has burned down and I don't have to breathe the fumes. I also like those bug killers that are like badminton raquets. They plug in to charge and there's a very satisfying "pffft" when they encounter a mosquito. A good sweep around the room usually gets them all!