The 7 Best Mosquito Hammocks
Special Honors
Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter XT The sleek and reliable Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter XT features two-way zippers for easy entry and a convenient flip-down design that provides an extra-wide lounging area for cool weather, so it can be enjoyed like a traditional parachute hammock. And for your peace of mind, it's guaranteed for life. grandtrunk.com
Clark NX-270 Arm yourself against the harshest of elements when braving the outdoors during any season using the Clark NX-270. The patented WeatherShield layer zips effortlessly over its no-see-um netting, providing fully-enclosed protection from heavy rain, wind, and biting insects. dutchwaregear.com
Warbonnet Blackbird XLC The Warbonnet Blackbird XLC represents a great value for the price, as it can comfortably accommodate users who are up to 6 feet, 6 inches tall. There are many colors to select from, as well as several suspension options, including whoopies or polyester webbing with buckles. warbonnetoutdoors.com
Editor's Notes
June 11, 2021:
Sadly, two of our favorites from Hennessy and Snugpak are no longer available, so we've removed them. Don't worry, though, because there are still plenty of great options. The Eno JungleNest remains one of the best, which is no surprise given the company's reputation. We've also added the G4Free Large, which keeps the mesh off your body as well as or better than the Eno does. If you're on a tight budget, consider the Firiner Backpacking set, which includes everything you need for a safe and comfortable sleep setup.
March 25, 2020:
Due to issues with availability, we've had to remove the GoRoam Premium and the Chill Gorilla, although we've opted to add the Chill Gorilla Oh Hell No! at this time. It doesn't come with a hammock, but it's affordably priced and a big help to those who've already invested in an expensive model that doesn't provide bug relief. And speaking of expensive models, we still like the Eno JungleNest and the Hennessy Jungle Safari. They require something of an investment, but they're made to higher quality standards than many of their ultra-budget counterparts. Plus, the latter includes a rainfly, so you don't have to worry about the elements spoiling your fun. A more budget-friendly, but still weather-ready, alternative is the Easthills Outdoors Jungle Explorer. It's got plenty of nice touches, such as dual gear pockets, and its mesh is very fine to stop all manner of flying pests.
Finally, we've opted to keep the Lawson Blue Ridge. A camping hammock, it sleeps more like a bed than many, so it might even be comfortable for those who find suspended sleeping awkward. If not, it can be set up on the ground and function as a small bivy tent. At nearly 4.5 pounds, though, it may or may not suit ultralight backpackers.
Dangers Posed By Mosquitoes
All of these have been known to be carried by mosquitoes, and there's currently no way to prevent transmission besides avoiding getting bit in the first place.
Quick — do you know what animal kills the most humans every year?
Turns out it's actually the common chinchilla. They have razor-sharp teeth and claws, and do nothing but dream up elaborate ways to commit murder all day.
Okay, so that's probably not true. The real answer is the mosquito, which takes down nearly three-quarters of a million people every year.
They do this indirectly, of course, by spreading disease — not by sucking people completely dry (though it can feel like this sometimes).
You probably already know about the malaria. This is the disease that the little bloodsuckers are most notorious for spreading, and it's also the most deadly. It's far from the only one they've been known to carry, however. What makes malaria so much more problematic than many of the other diseases, however, is that it's extremely widespread, and there's not yet a vaccine available.
Yellow fever is another serious condition that can be caused by a mosquito bite, as is Japanese encephalitis. While both of these illnesses are potentially fatal, the good news is that you can be inoculated against them.
That's not true of other diseases like dengue fever, West Nile virus, and Zika, however. All of these have been known to be carried by mosquitoes, and there's currently no way to prevent transmission besides avoiding getting bit in the first place.
And these are just the illnesses that we know about. Some of these conditions, like Zika, have only cropped up in the past few decades, so there's no telling what new diseases could be coming down the pike in the near future.
The good news is that most of these afflictions are still relatively rare, at least in the United States, so if you get bit by a mosquito, there's no reason to panic.
There is every reason to get revenge, however.
Benefits Of A Mosquito Hammock
You took an entire week off, drove several hours into the mountains, and set up camp in the most gorgeous spot you've ever laid eyes on, all for a little peace and quiet.
And yet that awful buzzing noise won't stop.
Nothing can ruin an entire excursion quite like a mosquito or two. Once they get in your tent, they can keep you up all night long — and leave you itchy and scratching all day tomorrow.
It opens up more possibilities in terms of setting up camp, as well.
That's why a mosquito hammock is such a smart investment. It can allow you to get a solid night's sleep, free of interruption, so that you have plenty of energy to enjoy your camping trip.
It's not just the mosquito netting that makes life more comfortable, either. Simply being off the ground in a hammock is light years ahead of sleeping in a tent in terms of luxuriousness. You won't wake up with an aching back, or in clothes soaked through by the morning dew.
Most tents stifle the breeze, and you end up sleeping in something that more closely resembles a sauna than a teepee. In a hammock, however, you get to experience every bit of that cool mountain air — and you can still wrap yourself up in a few sleeping bags to ensure you don't get too chilly.
It opens up more possibilities in terms of setting up camp, as well. It won't matter if the terrain is rocky, muddy, or uneven — all you need is something to hang your hammock from, and you'll sleep like a champion.
What's more, most camping hammocks are designed to be set up and taken down in minutes, freeing you up to get a fire started, gather supplies, or, you know, enjoy your vacation.
The only downside, of course, is that a bear might come along and mistake you for a burrito.
How To Keep Mosquitoes At Bay
Keeping mosquitoes away is one of the most important factors in having an enjoyable summer. Of course, that's easier said than done.
Prevention is the first step. While you can't destroy the entire mosquito population in your area (although that's fun to think about), what you can do is eliminate any environments in which they thrive.
Standing water is the biggest culprit, so empty out dog bowls, bird baths, and any other area where fetid water might be lurking. You can either replace the water in these often, or replace the receptacles themselves with options that keep the water moving.
We'll be honest with you — you're still going to encounter a few mosquitoes, even if you do all of these things.
Mosquitos might also lay eggs in debris, so clear out that wood pile and keep your gutters from getting clogged. Keep your landscaping well-trimmed, as well, especially the trees.
Next, go on the offensive. You can spray your entire yard with a fogger full of pesticide, but this will kill all the bugs, including the beneficial ones. If you go this route, be sure you find a chemical that won't harm your kids or pets.
You can line your yard and patio with citronella torches and candles, and light them whenever you're hosting guests or just looking to lounge outside. These aren't ideal for wide open spaces, but they can be good for establishing a beachhead that the little jerks won't want to cross.
There are even some plants you can install in your garden that might help. Certain plants, like lavender or marigolds, have essential oils that mosquitoes don't seem to like.
You know what else the little monsters hate? Coffee (apparently they hate everything that is good and true in this universe). If you can bear to part with a few of your grounds, sprinkle them in any standing water that you can't get rid of. For some reason, coffee grounds keep larvae from growing, so while it won't help with the existing population, it help can trim future generations.
We'll be honest with you — you're still going to encounter a few mosquitoes, even if you do all of these things. However, these tactics can drastically reduce the amount of pests that bother you during the summer, and if you spray on a little repellent, you might not notice them at all this year.
Then again, you not noticing them is exactly what they're counting on.