RV Awning Mosquito Net Solutions: Keeping Bugs at Bay
The space under your RV awning can be great for relaxation and socializing. To preserve the pleasantness of the experience, you must get a mosquito net for your RV awning.
A mosquito net will help you prevent bugs, reduce the intensity of sunlight, and make the space cozy and more private. Also, attaching a mosquito net to your RV awning can save you the trouble of swatting insects or spraying insecticides.
Anyway, keep reading to learn how to find the right kind of net for your awning and install it properly.
What Is a Mosquito Net for an RV Awning?
An RV awning is a shade system. It is retractable and attaches to the outside of the vehicle. You can expand the RV awning and create a nice little outdoor space for socializing while camping or traveling.
You can make the RV awning experience more comfortable and enjoyable by integrating a mosquito net with it.
This net is essentially a mesh or protective screen. Its primary purpose is to keep the awning area free from harmful pests and bugs.
The mosquito nets for RV awnings are usually available as netting panels. You can attach them to the awning structure with a fastening mechanism, such as Hooks, Velcro, magnets, etc.
What are the Benefits of a Mosquito Net for RV Awning?
Attaching a mosquito net to your RV awning can make the campsite healthier and cozy. Plus, you don’t have to worry about bugs falling into your food while having a nice outdoor dinner.
Stay Safe From Diseases:
Bugs can be a major mood-killer when you enjoy your time in the wild. Besides grossing you out, insects are also the source of various deadly diseases. Such as dengue, malaria, Zika virus, etc.
A mosquito net is your best option to protect your family from such diseases. You might think, What about insect repellents? Well, those sprays aren’t effective for long in open spaces.
Also, do you really want to breathe in those harmful chemicals instead of fresh air? Therefore, a mosquito net is the best option to keep your awning space disease and pest free.
Read Also: Make Your Own RV Awning Room: A Comprehensive Guide!
Sun Protection:
The sun can be pretty scorching in some areas, making your outdoor sessions a burning experience. Attaching a mosquito net to your awning is an excellent way to deal with this situation
A protective and properly colored mosquito net will reduce the intensity of the sunlight on your awning.
However, you can still enjoy an unobstructed view of the outdoors. So, install a mosquito net for a cooler awning area.
Privacy and Coziness:
A mosquito net is the best way to define your space outside the RV. The net acts like a barrier or fence for your temporary yard space. It establishes your claim on the area for other campers and the woodland critters.
For those inside the RV, the mosquito net makes the total RV space feel cozier and home-like.
They also enjoy more privacy in the awning space since onlookers have to pry their eyes really hard to look past the net.
Read Also: 10 Top Bathroom Storage Ideas For RV You’ll Absolutely Love
Better Dining Experience:
A mosquito net is mandatory if you are having a party or barbecue in your awning area. Unless you want to keep busy picking up bugs from your food.
The scent of food will always attract pests and insects. And they will ruin the lively conversations and your dining experience. In other words, don’t dine outside your RV if the awning doesn’t have a mosquito net.
What Types of RV Awnings Can a Mosquito Net Be Used On?
RV awnings come in many different forms and arrangements. They can be retractable or fixed and made of acrylic or vinyl. You must understand what kind of mosquito net goes with which type of RV awning for the best result.
Retractable Awnings
You can open or close a retractable awning using a manual crank. Or it might be motor-assisted. A mosquito net with velcro or zipper has the best compatibility for these awnings.
However, retractable awnings are vulnerable to strong winds. So, provide some support and secure the attachment points of the mosquito net to keep everything steady.
Vinyl Awnings
Waterproofing and scratch resistance make Vinyl Awnings the ultimate choice for many RV owners. The materials have excellent durability and don’t fade easily from environmental stress.
You can use a mosquito net with floors to go with your Vinyl awnings. This will prevent the entry of crawling insects into your awning space. However, the floors can trap heat and make the area too warm.
Read Also: 5 Reasons Why RV Roller Shade Won’t Stay Down: How to Fix?
Acrylic Awnings
Acrylic Awnings are your best option if breathability and lightweight are your priorities. They also come in bright, beautiful colors that can uplift your awning’s mood.
You can complement your lightweight acrylic awning with a similarly breathable mesh mosquito net. The combination can create a colorful and well-ventilated awning area.
Fixed Awnings
Some RV owners prefer Fixed awnings for their sturdiness. They are good protection against rain and snow. However, they lack flexibility. Mosquito nets with flaps or openings can look great with fixed awnings.
Slide Out Awnings
This kind of awning opens by rolling along with the RV’s Slide Out. You can use a tent-style mosquito net with these awnings. Here, the slide-out can provide nice support to set up the net.
Read Also: Why RV Toilet Won’t Stop Running? – Here’s How to Fix It!
How to Properly Install a Mosquito Net for an RV Awning?
You won’t get the benefits of a mosquito net if you install it incorrectly on your RV awning. Therefore, you must take the time to do the job properly. Follow these steps for correct installation-
- Step 1: Collect all the necessary tools to install the net. These include hooks, ropes, velcro, magnets, scissors, and the net.
- Step 2: Use a tape measure or string to calculate your awning’s dimensions and target area. Then cut and shape the net accordingly.
- Step 3: Select the spot on the awning’s edge from where you want to hang the net and attach the hooks. They should be spaced evenly. Pull them to test the firmness of the attachment. You need strong hooks to hold the net’s weight.
- Step 4: Use loops or ties to hang your mosquito net from the hooks. Sew the loops to the net’s edge. You can also use clips to attach the net to the hooks.
- Step 5: Check the tautness of the net and ensure you’ve covered the entire area.
- Step 6: Attach the mosquito net to the sides and bottom of the RV with the magnet or velcro strips. This eliminates all the possible gaps that might allow bugs to enter the space.
Read Also: RV Compartment Door Won’t Open | What to Do?
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Installing a Mosquito Net for RV Awning
Many campers make mistakes when setting up the mosquito net for their RV awning. The consequence of these mistakes might be your net getting blown away, the entry of pests, etc. So avoid these-
- Not measuring the awning beforehand. Later, you might find that you don’t have enough net to cover the area.
- Attaching the net loosely can cause it to blow away. So, always tighten it with extra ropes.
- Leaving too much slack can create a gap or make it flap in the wind
- If there is too little slack, the net might stretch and tear
- Cutting excess fabric or mesh without adequately securing the net first
- Forgetting to clean the mosquito net regularly.
FAQs
Hopefully, you will find the answers you were looking for about attaching a mosquito net to an RV awning.
How do I prevent mold on the mosquito net of my RV awning?
The key to preventing mold on the net is to keep it clean and dry. So, never store a damp or wet net. Allow it to dry first. To keep it clean, spray a mildew-resistant solution.
How do I make the mosquito net more resistant to sun damage?
The UV rays of the sun can damage and weaken the net. Avoiding prolonged sun exposure is the best way to prevent that. You can also paint the net with white or silver paint to reflect the sun’s rays.
Why do I keep finding bugs, although my RV’s mosquito net has no gaps?
If you have checked and ensured there are no gaps in the net, the problem might be on the floor. The bugs you find might have crawled through the bottom edges. Get a net with good floors instead of tucking the net to the ground.
Conclusion
A mosquito net can greatly increase the appeal and comfort of the space outside your RV.
However, you must ensure proper net installation to get the best results. Also, don’t forget to properly clean and dry the net before you store it.
Read Also: 6 Reasons Why an Awning Window Won’t Close All The Way
Zayan is an accomplished author and a go-to expert for all things RV and camper-related. With a passion for adventure and a knack for problem-solving, he has spent years exploring the open road and fine-tuning his knowledge of recreational vehicles.
Zayan’s writing is a testament to his expertise, offering readers practical solutions to common RV dilemmas. Whether it’s troubleshooting mechanical issues, optimizing space, or planning the perfect road trip, Zayan’s insightful advice and engaging storytelling make him an invaluable resource for both seasoned travelers and newcomers to the world of RVing.