Most malaria carrying mosquitoes bite at night. Mosquito nets, if properly used and maintained, can provide a physical barrier to hungry mosquitoes.

At the present time there are 3 basic types of mosquito nets. Untreated nets, Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) and Long Life Insecticide treated Nets (LLINs).

ITNs are nets that need to be treated once a year with a special chemical solution that ensures their effectiveness.

LLINs are ITNs that do not have to be treated for three years or more.

Whilst an ordinary mosquito net will protect a person from mosquito bites, the ITN and LLIN are much preferred as the chemical in the nets also kills the mosquito without harming the person underneath the net.

Currently permethrin is the chemical most commonly used to treat mosquito nets, although new chemicals are constantly under development.

Permethrin is a man-made insecticide, structurally similar to a naturally-occurring chemical called pyrethrum.

Pyrethrum was initially derived from the crushed dried flowers of the daisy Chrysanthemum, whose insecticidal properties have been recognized since the 18th century. Permethrin is safe to use if handled properly.

Maintenance of ITNs is very important if they are to remain fully effective. This means that the nets need to be re-treated with insecticide sometimes twice a year and that any tears that occur in the net are promptly repaired.

Cost is also a significant factor.  For people living in developed economies insecticide treated nets (ITNs) are relatively cheap to buy, however, in developing  nations the actual cost of buying the net and re-treating it is prohibitive for many families living in abject poverty.

Recently the WHO listed a new class of net, LLIN (Long Lasting Insecticidal Net). The World Health Organization define an LLIN as a factory treated mosquito net that is expected to retain full insecticidal afficacy after at least 20 washes and for at least 3 years in the field under recommended conditions of use.

Only a few nets have managed to meet the WHO requirements for registration as an LLIN. Amongst these are, the Olyset Net, Permanet 2.0 and the BASF Interceptor. Tana Netting's Dawa Net is awaiting LLIN registration. Where possible Buzz Off distributes LLINs.

Ventilation is a serious problem for people using mosquito nets. Some nets have holes that are too small to allow the flow of air inside the net. This is particularly difficult for people living in warmer climates and usually means that occupant of the net will slightly raise the net in order to allow airflow or extend their limbs outside of the net in order to get cool. The raised net and exposed limbs give infected mosqitoes the opportunity to feed and spread Malaria, Dengue and other mosquito borne diseases.

So for mosquito nets to make a difference in the war against Malaria they need to be affordable, have long lasting treatment and allow ventilation. 

At this time Buzz Off is distributing two kinds of nets. The Dawa net made by Tana Netting and the Olyset net made by Sumitomo Chemicals.

The Dawa net is cost effective, has good ventilation and will last for 20+ washes (which is about 3 years), without needing to be retreated.

At this time Buzz Off believes that Olyset, the Permanet and the Dawa nets are the best three LLINs available to it for distribution.

These three nets are well made and address the ventilation issues. The Olyset nets differ from the other nets in the way they are manufactured. Olyset nets are made by weaving the chemical into the fabric of the net – this means that the nets have an effective life of up to 5 years without the need for re-treatment. The manufacturers have also been able to address ventilation problems by making the holes in the net larger. The cost of the nets is also appealing.

A Youtube video about Olyset nets can be found here.

Buzz Off has set up a program called Mozzie Net Bank that will make LLIN nets available to individuals or groups travelling into malaria endemic areas.

Nets can be bought for about $20 each (plus postage). The idea is that travellers give these nets as gift to families living in Malaria endemic areas. You can get more information about Mozzie Net Bank by emailing nets@buzzoff.org

Buzz Off will also be distributing LLIN nets to communities that are living in endemic areas through distribution programs that are initiated through partner organizations in those areas.

Donations towards our net distribution program can be made by using PayPal or through the ARMS secure site. Simply enter in your credit card details and select Buzz Off Donate-a-Net from the International Projects menu. Because we are sourcing the nets in the country we are distributing them costs are lower than when we import nets into Australia. Each net in our Donate-a-Net program costs about $10.