Few things can put a damper on conversation than pesky little gnats that fly around. I tested the Insect Shield wrap twice: First,an outdoor brewery, then to a restaurant with an outdoor patio. Since the polyester fabric is so thin, it fits in a purse without making it bulky. When the little buggers found our group, I put the wrap around my shoulders and instantly noticed the difference–no more gnats. At the restaurant, the wrap helped to banish biting flies as we were waiting for our entrees. This time, I didn’t even have to put it on, it was just sitting on the table and the gnats were gone—no insect repellent spray required.
The wrap is 70″ x 36″ so it can double as a light throw for deck chairs. And the budget-friendly price point also makes it affordable to get several so all your guests can enjoy the night without worrying about skeeters.
The Outer Bug Shield throw is made of 100% recycled materials and comes in three classic colorways: striped plaid, houndstooth, and pinstripe. It’s slightly thicker than the other outdoor blankets tested, but that’s what makes it great for keeping it on hand by the fireside. It really came in handy when my family was toasting marshmallows and I had it draped it over my shoulders. Not one mosquito or biting insect came close. Definitely a must-have for camping.
I used the handmade Pang Wangle throw on my upstairs patio space when reading bedtime stories to my kids–all three of us fit under it. Since we got a nice breeze up there, I loved that the cotton blanket kept us from feeling chilly and the bugs didn’t bother us. The hand-loomed Khadi fabric, a craft of artisans in India, felt durable but still soft, so much so that I plan to picnic on it next time we visit the botanic garden. It folds nicely in my backpack.
A “mosquito-magnet” friend tested Shoo for Good during the Fourth of July fireworks. Made by artisans and handwoven in Ethiopia, she describes the blanket as “no joke”. “I get antsy being outside at dusk, and this was a dream,” she added. She also loved that the dusky pink cotton fabric made her feel “very chic.”
Deer are not always welcome guests, primarily because they have lyme-carrying ticks as passengers, which drop on the lawn. This is where the Insect Shield blanket comes in. Made of 100% polyester, it’s thicker than a typical outdoor blanket. While not waterproof, it doesn’t absorb moisture or dew as quickly. We used it during a backyard BBQ as a Magnatile station for toddlers–no one had bug bites. The same blanket was then used later in the night to watch the fireworks and no pesky mosquitos distracted us from the show.
Final Takeaways
It should be noted that these were tested under normal mosquito-y and buggy conditions–not an extreme swampy environment or a controlled environment like the studies mentioned above (and I wouldn’t solely rely on the blankets if I was in malaria-prone Sarasota, Florida). I did wash the blankets once and it didn’t seem to lessen the insect repellent effectiveness, but once again, no dusky night is ever the same.
Throughout my tests, I’d still see a mosquito or two hovering about, but I never left my al fresco evening jaunts with bug bites. I am also glad that I felt comfortable without wanting to reach for the bug spray, especially with my kids who were often already in their pajamas when we read outside.
I do think that each blanket can hold its own, even after the permethrin eventually washes off. I recommend the Insect Shield blanket to my hammock-loving dad who keeps getting ticks just hanging out in his backyard. The densely-loomed Pang Wangle cotton throw is also a stand-out‚ it felt like a bubble once we were cocooned in it. I wouldn’t want to be a mosquito trying to stick my proboscis through that, insect repellent or not.