Hammock camping in the summer is the best – the only problem is all of the mosquitos!
Chances are that you’ll encounter your fair share of bugs unless you’re going hammock camping in the winter. To make the most of your next trip, you need a top-quality bug net to keep these pesky critters away.
But not everyone wants to dish out the dough for a brand-new bug net. That’s where these DIY hammock bug net projects enter the picture. If you’re feeling creative, short on cash, or both, one of these DIY projects might fit the bill.
1. Zipperless DIY Hammock Bug Net
Make your own hammock mosquito net with this super simple method – no zippers required!
However, it does require basic sewing skills. A sewing machine makes the job a whole lot easier, although it can be accomplished with hand sewing.
The finished product is an incredibly cheap hammock bug net that will keep bugs away from your hammock during summer camping trips.
We love the fact that the finished product looks so professional. It looks like something you’d buy from a professional manufacturer.
Required Items:
- Mosquito Netting
- Suspension Cord
- Cord with Tightener
- Sewing Machine (or Hand Sewing Supplies)
- Scissors
- Tape Measure
Making the Bug Net:
- Measure Your Ridgeline – The ridgeline attaches your bug net to the trees and holds it above the hammock. Measure the approximate length between the trees you’ll be using and cut the suspension cord a few feet longer than this (to account for differences in tree distance in the future).
- Fold Mosquito Netting in Half – Fold the mosquito netting in half with the ridgeline through the middle. It must stick out a few feet on each end.
- Sew Ridgeline to Mosquito Netting – Use the sewing machine to sew your suspension cord ridgeline into the mosquito netting.
- Measure Your Netting Length – Measure the length of the netting to make sure it will completely cover your hammock while in use.
- Sew the Sides Together – Sew the sides of the mosquito netting together, ensuring that there are zero holes or gaps for mosquitos to get through.
- Sew Space for Cord – Sew a small fold along the bottom ridge of the mosquito netting to put the other length of cord into. Leave a small gap at one end. This will be the “door.”
- Install Cord – Slide the cord through the sewed cord so that the two bottom pieces of the mosquito netting are held together.
- Set It Up and Tighten – Set the bug net up around your hammock by attaching the ridgeline to both trees with the hammock inside. Cinch the tightener on the cord after you are inside the bug net to close up the “door” and keep the bugs out!
2. The Bug Sock
If simplicity is your chief concern, then you have few better DIY mosquito net options than the bug sock.
The design is as straightforward as they come. Simply pull the sock over one end of your hammock, attach it to your trees, and then cinch the end once you’re inside.
The bug sock method is undoubtedly one of the simplest designs but it does provide slightly lesser coverage. We recommend that you use it when you’re camping with a sleeping bag rather than simply relaxing in your hammock with your legs uncovered.
This project does require sewing, but nothing too complicated. A sewing machine makes it far easier, although it’s certainly possible with hand sewing tools.
Required Items:
- Mosquito Netting
- Paracord
- Mitten Hook Cinch
- Ripstop Nylon or Ribbon
- Sewing Machine
- Scissors
- Tape Measure
Making the Bug Net:
- Measure and Cut Materials – Measure your ridgeline and cut the paracord so that it’s slightly longer than your hammock straps. Cut the mosquito netting so that it will cover the entire hammock without too much slack.
- Sew in Ridgeline – Fold the mosquito netting in half over the ridgeline. Sew the ridgeline into the mosquito netting, reinforcing it with your ripstop nylon or ribbon for increased durability.
- Sew Sides Together – Sew the sides of the mosquito netting together. Reinforce these seams with ripstop nylon or ribbon.
- Add Mitten Hook Cinch – Sew in the mitten hook cinch to the open end of your bug netting. You can use this cinch to tighten up the end with the opening to keep bugs out.
- Check for Holes and Gaps – Look over the project for any gaps or openings. Sew these up to ensure that no bugs can get inside.
3. DIY Minimalist Hammock Mosquito Net
You likely don’t have a lot of extra room in your backpack while backpacking – that’s why a minimalist mosquito net is essential.
This DIY bug net is not only lightweight and simple, but it’s also cheap and easy to make. It keeps the bugs out without any bells and whistles.
Another great thing about this bug net is that it utilizes so few materials. It truly is one of the most minimalist designs that we’ve seen.
It’s similar in design to the bug nets created by top hammock manufacturers but is actually much more lightweight. All in all, you’ll end up spending less than $25.
Required Items:
- No-see-um Netting
- Rope or Cord (for Ridgeline)
- Sewing Machine
Making the Bug Net:
- Sew the Netting – Cut and sew the netting to the shape of your hammock. You want a few feet of extra space so that your mosquito net isn’t claustrophobic. Leave an opening on a single end and sew the rest.
- Insert the Ridgeline – String the ridgeline through the top portion of the netting. You can then attach the ridgeline to your hammock suspension system or the trees you’re using as your anchor points.
- Set Up Over Hammock – After attaching the ridgeline to the anchor points, pull the bug net over the hammock until it’s down by your feet.
- Adjust as Needed – As a minimalist design, this bug net doesn’t provide as much coverage as other DIY methods. But you can still adjust it as needed. For example, you can pull the end of the netting down beyond your feet and tuck it under your sleeping bag for ample protection.
4. Goatbone Method
Another way to make your own hammock mosquito bug net is with the all-in-one Goatbone method.
As you’ll notice in their YouTube video, their DIY tutorial actually includes instructions on how to make your own hammock straps, hammock, bug net, and stuff sack.
However, we’re going to focus specifically on the bug net today. It’s super lightweight, incredibly easy to set up, and actually looks really good too.
Our favorite aspect about this DIY bug net is that there are so many small adjustments you can make to customize it to your personal preferences.
Note that this project, like the rest on our list, does require sewing – preferably with a sewing machine, although hand sewing will also work.
Required Items:
- No-see-um netting
- Rope or Cord (for Ridgeline)
- 2 Short Lengths of Cord
- Ripstop Nylon
- Sewing Machine
- Scissors
Making the Bug Net:
- Cut the No-See-Um to Size – Your first step is to cut the no-see-um to size. It must be just a little larger than your hammock and be able to completely cover the entire thing when it’s set up.
- Cut the Ridgeline to Size – This DIY method uses a ridgeline attached to the carabiners and hammock straps rather than to the trees. Cut your ridgeline to size so that it extends completely over the top of your hammock.
- Sew the Bug Net – Sew the sides of the bug net so that a small opening is left at the bottom and on each of the ends. The opening on the bottom is the “door” and the openings on the ends are for the ridgeline to slide through.
- Insert the Ridgeline into Bug Net – Slide the ridgeline lengthwise through the top of the bug net, leaving an equal portion outside of the net on each of its two ends.
- Reinforce if Desired – In the video, the top of the bug net (where the ridgeline goes) and the two ends are reinforced with ripstop nylon. Though not necessary, completing this step adds a lot of extra toughness.
- Tie One End of Bug Net to Hammock Strap – To set up this but net, you simply tie each end off to the hammock strap with the smaller lengths of cord. Start by tying the first end off.
- Slide Bug Net Over Hammock – Now, slide the entire bug net over the hammock to enclose it inside.
- Tie Off the Other End of Bug Net – Tie off the other side of the bug net to the hammock straps with one of the small lengths of cord.
- Enter Complete Setup from Bottom – You enter this hammock by entering from the bottom rather than through an actual door (or pulling it over you). The sides of the bug net simply hang down to provide complete coverage.
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