When I went on holiday to Malaysia last year I really learned the importance of having a mosquito net bed canopy above my bed at all times. To be clear I’m not talking about the curtains or drapes that you find on a canopy bed. If, as you travel round these exotic Asian countries, you’re lucky enough to stay at the high class establishments that provide four-poster beds with their own bed canopies then that’s all well and good. Typically though you will be staying in more basic accommodation with normal beds and it is in these places that a mosquito net, one that you’ve brought with you, will be invaluable.

If you don’t want to carry one with you, I can only suggest that when you visit these countries you stay in one place where you know they have these nets in every room. If you are going to travel around the country and stay in several places then I would suggest that you invest in buying one. They wrap up nice and small and will easily fit into your luggage and the will prove an absolute godsend.They’re not expensive and can be bought from any number of online stores, just search for “mosquito net canopy” or from a camping or outdoor activity store.

Remember this isn’t just about avoiding the irritation of a mosquito bite! In many of these countries mosquitoes carry Malaria and even if you’re taking all the right medication on your trip, and you should make sure you are, you don’t want to run any risks because malaria is really nasty. Furthermore there are plenty of other creepy crawlies that you just don’t want in bed with you. Your mosquito net will keep them out too.

I love Malaysia but personally have never encountered a worse country for mosquitoes and just having the canopy protection at night has made my journeys bearable. Do yourself a favor and get one.