DIY Window Screens/Bug Screens for Sleeping in a Car, SUV, or Van

In this video I show you the two different methods I use for attaching bug screens to my car windows to make sleeping in my SUV a more pleasant, bug-free experience. It's great for car camping, vandwelling, SUV RVing, RVing, and more.

[@Ed-cs6kw]

The duct tape is brilliant! Not only does it make the magnets easier to work with, but it also protects the finish on your car.

[@TammyTimeMovies]

I might put black tape over my magnets that I have from my pop-up cabin that attaches to my vehicle

[@mesutt159]

Love the tape covering the magnets... they are really hard to find when you drop them in the dirt or grass. Brilliant!

[@SUVRVing]

Yeah, the tape definitely makes a huge difference!

[@SweetsourGamer]

I'd imagine it helps protect against scratching the car's paint finish as well! :)

[@TheSunGoethDown]

I made this and used it in humid, mosquito-war-zone Florida and it worked like a charm! Thank you!

[@EKEACRES]

I did the same method on my Toyota Van for the two large side windows that go down. What I did was fold a small seam over of the screen, and sewed the magnets in the screen with a sewing machine so they never get lost. Once I unfold it, I just attach & I'm done:)

[@therrienmichael08]

I have a Toyota van also. My daughter is a seamstress and can do it. Great idea.

[@TammyTimeMovies]

I would hand sew it if i use this method...will do without sewing for now see how it goes.

[@annecifelli7453]

I used scrap stretch lace fabric and prefer the inside configuration. I also got some tension rods to put along the bottom of the window where there is no metal for the magnets to make that a bit more secure. Thanks for this awesome simple idea!

[@tracymcnealey4707]

Grandson just bought first car...a Subaru Outback. This video is awesome and the setup will allow him to sleep in his car while camping and fishing. Thank you for sharing your solution to bugs!!

[@richbayers6008]

I just retired and bought an older Suburban that I am camping out of. You have some great ideas, thx for sharing. Still getting things figured out but having a ball doing it!

[@SUVRVing]

An old Suburban is a great vehicle for camping. You'll have a great time in that thing. Thanks Rich!

[@zuperzebra9496]

Perfect ideas! Bringing our big dog with us this summer for her first time car camping (in a Seat Leon 😄) and we’ll definitely need the air flow for her but don’t want the mosquitos!

[@TammyTimeMovies]

I'm going with my two babies my tiny tots my two chihuahuas Peanut and Colada ❤❤

[@TheTonialadd]

This is what I did, but I just taped the magnets along the edges of the screen with duct tape. When I wasn’t using them I rolled them up and stored them in the seat back. I liked this because it was very fast and easy. It worked great.

[@TammyTimeMovies]

That's good too but if it's really hot the tape will melt off

[@miketsangarakis7237]

I used velcro for mine, but i like the magnet idea much faster and easier. Cant believe i never thought of it!

[@psdaengr911]

I discovered that a bug screen made for a baby buggy is big enough to stretch completelty over the outside of a small SUV's rear door.

[@msmith342]

thank you thats awesome

[@remingtons4607]

What’s a baby buggy?

[@lthiel975]

Just discovered your channel!! Everytime i watch a video there’s an easy, practical tip! Im loving it!

[@chelseaanderson3329]

You rock! I have a third gen Forester, and the doors aren't framed...There is no metal upper portion surrounding the window itself. This is the way to get screen up with unframed doors. Also, the duct tape is ingenious.

[@mardicheriex291]

You can purchase rear window shades that you pull over the door it’s inside and out that would hold better it’s like a pillow slip for your doors

[@sexyladyakb]

I was soooo pissed that our first van life experienced was ruined by the JUMANJI Texas mosquitos lol

[@stealth48nurse]

excellent idea about the tape and also putting the screens on the inside. I just bought my magnets and fabric today and I'm going to do that. thank you

[@SUVRVing]

Glad you found the video helpful. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@RockStudioLive]

Very elegant piece of engineering. Cheap, simple, and effective. I liked the video and subscribed. Happy camping!

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks! I appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@cindideets]

I had my finger ready to hit 'purchase' on those Skeeter Beater screens for 54 bucks until I saw this on youtube..Thank you for sharing,I am so excited to see how simple it is to make my own. Pretty ingenious of you...now I'm a happy camper....

[@SUVRVing]

No problem, happy to help! If that works out for you and you want slightly nicer versions, check out my Bug Screener product: kamchatkagear.com/products/bug-screener-magnetic-window-screens

[@robincrook5630]

I am about to turn my 2003 Honda CRV into a microcamper for my husband and I (we use great dog/cat/house sitters for the babies). I was wondering what to do for bug prevention...this is excellent! Thanks for your videos!

[@Chillinasdylan]

definitely helpful. I was thinking about magnets but maybe sewing them into the mesh would be a good bet for me. Thanks brother 🤙🏽

[@kimprocarione5473]

Much easier than other videos about this!

[@heartlandlight6862]

What a good guy you are. Very helpful guidance. Good travels!

[@SUVRVing]

I'm glad you found it helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@ImStillLooking]

I used left over screen from my windows. I bought magnetic strip for the top and bottom of my screen. Have a couple of magnets to cover the sides. I'm very pleased with the finish product and looking forward to mosquito free sleep in my suv

[@maryfrady7149]

I did this too except I folded the net over the window. The door closes on it and I use clear tape and magnets to seal the rest. Costed me like $5.00 to do both windows.

[@paulg7294]

So glad I found this. Simple, cheap and effective. Thanks.

[@harryjames2299]

Nice ideas. Though I am surprised nothing crawls through those edges between the magnets...

[@lindasue8719]

Slightly off topic, but I'm having trouble figuring this one out : if camping in a modern SUV, how to put the windows up and down overnight without having to access the dash? I sure do miss cranks!!

[@heavensplayer]

That’s a great question and I honesty don’t think there’s an answer to it lol

[@JK-fz6tk]

Keep the key turned to accessory.

[@CM-ef8fu]

Awesome idea! Thanks for sharing!

[@sharonatseanicstudios9970]

The duct tape wrapped magnets is brilliant. I feel as if I'm wrestling an alligator each time I try to get my magnets apart. Thank you!

[@maryfrady7149]

I folded mine over the door and close the door on them. Can use clear tape or magnets.

[@blanezing]

Thank you so much for giving independence to the people something I wish our government did instead of turning the country into a prison.

[@chastitycox6633]

Awesome was wondering how to cover my sun roof to keep it open and covered at night going to give it a try

[@SUVRVing]

Great, thanks for watching!

[@piratechocolate]

Thank you for sharing this video. I’m so excited to try it when we go camping in a couple weeks. Where did you get your magnets? How do I tell whether the magnets I purchase are strong enough? Is there a magnet “intensity“ factor? Thank you.

[@captainjim6300]

There is a company that makes nets for several different SUV's front and back windows all custom fit so you can open the door. Also black or camo color. I will have to edit and put the link when I find it as I saved it just in case I needed it.

[@-Yikes]

Captain Jim any update? Thank you!

[@GavriloPewPew]

Thanks for never posting the link

[@FrankGreenway]

great idea. I'm thinking about doing what you're doing after I retire. I don't currently have a van, suv, but I'm looking for one. I'm really considering a conversion van, but I have seen some really nice mini vans. I just found your channel and enjoying your videos

[@SUVRVing]

Go for it, Frank! You'll have a great time in whatever vehicle you choose. Thanks for commenting.

[@BanFrenchRoast]

At my (our) age, 4W is just another way to get stuck in even more inaccessible places. Rav 4 is tiny as are most the SUV short of the giants. Strongly recommend looking at Chrysler'/Dodge Sto and Go seats which fold all the way down giving 4x8Ft plywood storage space. Great for goods which can be offloaded to a tent and use folding foam mattress for sleeping. So you have 2, 4, 5, or 7 passenger van, a cargo van, and a sleeper. Competition by now may have caught up but beware of ones where you have to remove seats and where they leave tracks behind.

[@ediedaley3701]

Adding to this thread, I love my Ford Escape, but putting the rear seats down wastes a foot of space in their design, and even at 5'2" I don't fit in the back head to toe straight. I opted for a backseat air mattress and will sleep across. It's a tad tight but a tidier option. The back will be 2 storage layers.

[@DiegoJordanA]

I guess this vid answers one of the questions I asked in the other video, great idea!

[@AbuInsights]

Thank you for sharing. But there are still open edges between the holding magnets, I do not think it is tight enough against some stubburn bugs while camping in summer. Have your considered putting a rubberband instead? it might work better.

[@stephenpowstinger733]

Rubber band how? Maybe just use strip magnets.

[@ga8065]

Earth magnets at your local Harbor Freight, very cheap.

[@paddypen]

Found it. Been looking for this. Thanks for sharing

[@ga8065]

Do the same if you have a sun/moon roof to let the heat out the top.

[@LindaWolfe20]

Cool love the netting for bugs. thanks for showing...

[@stevekalis139]

I would just use like two pieces of tape to hold in place wrapped around the entire door and then just close the door instead of fumbling with magnets.

[@joaniewillow]

wondering if a strip magnet would give you more holding power and wouldn't be so easily lost. Also, I have had to augment my window screens here in Hawaii because some bugs can fly though the screens. I bought chiffon fabric which works perfectly. Not too expensive and comes in many colors!!

[@SUVRVing]

In my experience, those strip magnets are pretty weak. The neodymium magnets are much, much stronger. I can imagine bugs in Hawaii being a problem! Thanks Joan.

[@TammyTimeMovies]

The chiffon might work....

[@TammyTimeMovies]

I would use black tape to match the screen color or I would use tape that matches the color of my vehicle

[@suzyq1233]

ABSOLUTE GENIOUS!!! There are so many other things you can use this process for.

[@SUVRVing]

Great, I'm glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@GavriloPewPew]

Genius*

[@kendraasbury9055]

i have a rav 4 as well (around the same year), so this is great! i will definitely peep some of your other videos

[@pmsully1620]

the tape is genius!

[@spade0655]

Garlic I'm doing this right now my windows are open and not a single mosquito..last night I was being murdered by them I got a bowl and cut sum garlic put it in the bowl and left it next to me in the back of my truck THIS IS AWESOME IT WORKS!

[@anthonycrothers4488]

Just subscribed. If your other video's are as useful as this one I will be in your debt.

[@Debrajoy]

I wish my 2003 Honda Odyssey had windows like that!

[@brandont5995]

You're just full of great ideas, definitely gonna be doing this

[@SUVRVing]

Awesome! Let me know how it goes.

[@rebelartstudio3730]

Did same thing but screen on inside so can shut windows when it gets cold at night. Thank for video

[@ritadavison4857]

You are one very clever guy!

[@ChrisWatkinsPortraits]

can you post a link in your description to what kind of bug netting? or where you bought it? thanks

[@nurscathwill]

I think a good idea would be to use spray adhesive and stereo speaker material. Looks good when finished. I like your snap explanation. My rv had snap in curtains and I covered them with new material by stapling. Wish I had seen your video 1st. I am going to try snaps!....great video

[@SUVRVing]

Hi Cathy. Why use stereo speaker material? Why not use bug mesh material that's actually designed to keep bugs out?

[@nurscathwill]

SUV RVing Lord be I don't know why I typed that other than I was reading a different post and typed under yours😄anyway I did like your idea with the magnets! Speaker material must have been for another post...so sorry😄😄

[@fisheyeguy]

Can you please provide a link where you got the netting?

[@jeroldssis]

Just found your video and love this idea. Where did you get the netting at?

[@petuniaromania6294]

Could those self adhesive velcro tapes or strips be used instead?

[@lancenorton3747]

Great idea with tapping the magnets to get ahold of them,ty

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks Lance. I'm glad it was helpful.

[@donna6348]

What kind of magnets do you use?

[@SuperDeut4]

P. S. Have you ever thought of sponsoring caravans (rendevous, jamborees, etc.) periodically during the year? You really seem like a very nice young man. Just a thought. Many of us would join you for sure to learn the hows of this travel life or getaways. Thank you much.

[@SUVRVing]

Nope, I hadn't thought about that. It's an interesting thought, though. I've met up with a couple of my readers/viewers while on the road, but I'm a pretty solitary person and enjoy spending time by myself. I don't know if camping with a lot of others or teaching in a group setting would be very appealing to me. I think I'm better suited to just making KZbin videos! Thanks for the kinds words.

[@teslah2997]

where did you get the magnets and magnets, please?

[@SuperDeut4]

You have such awesome videos. Thank you so very very much. I wish you all of the successcon your book.

[@SUVRVing]

I'm glad you like them, SuperDeut4! I enjoy making them, and it's very fulfilling to hear that people find them useful. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@gloriapemelton1708]

Was wondering when you leave your parking spot to go get groceries ,does that mean you give up your spot for someone to park there? Or what is proper etiquette? Thanks

[@suziewong2181]

Thank you!👍 Subbed!

[@benjamindahlstrom6729]

I like the inside of the car approach better, but how do you keep bugs from flying through the bottom??

[@debralewis3864]

Thats my question too

[@GospelTruth37059]

How often do you camp out? How long have you been doing it, and where do you like to go camp?

[@SUVRVing]

I've been camping since I was a kid. I've been camping in my SUV for the past couple of years, and I get out around 60-90 nights per year. My favorite places to camp are the mountains and the desert.

[@GospelTruth37059]

I thank you for your reply. Id like to try it myself (as far as out west). I mostly have camped no farther west than Texas. Right now I'm in middle Tn.

[@lovingatlanta]

Hello Hello, just found your channel. Very nice idea. I'll check out your other videos too. Wishing you the best. 🤗💞🤗

[@SUVRVing]

Glad you liked it. Thanks for checking out the videos!

[@sydnieleehoughton3935]

Thanks

[@speedfreak8200]

I found some magnets that come in diff colors little bigger than a domino very very strong at Ace Hardware fairly priced thanks

[@SUVRVing]

Nice, I'll have to check them out.

[@steveaguinaga3821]

Cool story bro...

[@coyoteheartdestinythesylph5902]

Could u do this while driving...I'll have pets with me and sometimes just want regular air when driving

[@YOURJERRINESS]

Isn't it true the No Seem Um screens do not allow air to pass through well?

[@chixbleau7321]

Great idea!!!

[@dianebassett1930]

Is there a link to the magnets? I'm not sure what to buy....

[@FacePalmTheWorldArmy]

my F-150 won't hold a magnet, its got an aluminum frame and steel chassis. any ideas???

[@tudortanase8957]

I'm just using a few pieces of tape to attach similar sized netting to the car. Same thing, without the magnets. Tape is cheap 😉

[@SUVRVing]

Yep, that works!

[@TheNicB]

I appreciate your videos! Thnx!

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks for watching, Nicole.

[@ShannaTrenholm]

So clever and helpful, Tristan! PErfect solution for my van--thanks!

[@SUVRVing]

Awesome! Glad you found it helpful. Thanks for commenting Shanna!

[@susananderson9619]

As an older woman, sleeping in my car, I am going to put the screen inside the window. Seems a little too easy for some one to rip it off while im sleeping

[@moosemanretired5184]

May I ask, where did you get the finished edge noseeum screen?

[@GoshGus]

If they weren't sold with a finished edge, it is simple to DYI. Get cotton or nylon "Seam Binding" from a fabric or craft store. If you don't sew, maybe you have a friend who does.

[@Suuegrl]

I love the idea of the screen inside the door/window, how do they do in the wind?

[@SUVRVing]

Like when the car is parked and the windows are down? They work great. They don't have any issues in the wind.

[@thomasmunzar1349]

Link to magnets and screen?

[@christopherlloyd3760]

Close the screen in the door

[@erinowl4407]

Thank you.

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks for watching.

[@kevinseversonandhisvizslas8287]

Putting the netting inside the window doesn’t work because when you take it all down you’ve trapped mosquitoes between the netting and the window and they end up inside your vehicle for the next several days. Put them on the outside

[@candaceflittle4319]

I think black tape would look better

[@ImStillLooking]

Great idea!

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks!

[@dezza72]

Any links for the magnets?

[@KatandzR]

Good deal.. 🌞

[@CherylDFloyd]

Where did you get the magnets?

[@SUVRVing]

Cheryl, I got them at Home Depot. They're on the aisle with the nails and screws and things like that.

[@CherylDFloyd]

Thanks. I just found some adequate magnets at Walmart in the hardware department. They seem to be holding my mosquito netting on pretty well.

[@ianpcorbett]

Are there links for sourcing that variety of mosquito netting and those strong magnets? The kind you find with the crafting supplies in stores aren't especially powerful and the mesh that I've seen in stores has larger holes than I'd like to use. Thanks!

[@SUVRVing]

The mesh is called "no-see-um netting" or "no-see-um mesh." That's what you want to search for online. ripstopbytheroll.com is a good source for it. As for the magnets, I got mine at Home Depot.

[@brewskiification]

What kind of magnets did you use? And where did you get the netting from?

[@SUVRVing]

Neodymium magnets from Home Depot. Don't remember where I got the netting here. Just search online for no-see-um mesh.

[@sandeshgowda8872]

Thank you

[@SUVRVing]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@sandrarochon2247]

Tristan, have been following your advice for several months now. Where did you get the No-see-um netting for those dimensions? Thanks!!!

[@SUVRVing]

Hi Sandra. Just search for "no-see-um mesh" in Google, and you'll find plenty of stores that sell it by the yard.

[@keahnyb1]

I see that you have AVS ventvisors for your windows. I recently ordered and installed the AVS "Low Profile" ones and am not happy with them because I don't think hey will let enough air in when I am sleeping. They are so low profile that I can't even fit the tip of my pinky finger between it and the window. It looks like you have the standard vent visors. Can you tell me how far they stick out from the window? I would like to know this before I order them. Thank you

[@SUVRVing]

With the window closed, there's just over an inch (26 mm) of space between the window and the inside of the visor.

[@gracecallowayable]

Awesome!!!👠👠👠

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks Graycee!

[@susananderson9619]

Can the screening be cut?

[@billnolen538]

Where did you buy the netting? What is it called? Good videos!

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks Bill. Just Google "no see um netting," and a bunch of different stores will pop up.

[@davidjohn9006]

Have you seen the window “sock” that slips over the top, is double sided. Inexpensive and most auto shops sell.

[@SUVRVing]

Yep I have. But I like this solution because I can keep it on all the time and just roll the windows down whenever I get to a campsite

[@davidjohn9006]

SUV RVing ⁉️

[@SUVRVing]

Go to KamchatkaGear.com and look at the video for the Bug Screeners.

[@joapps8135]

INSTEAD buy mosquito netting and make like a "pocket" if u will...that u can slide down over the window while the car door is open... (if hard to visualize think of ummmm pulling a plastic bag over the window from the top down). next get in the car and pull the netting taught and then close the door (yes, close the door onto the netting to keep the netting in place). if u dont want to sew to make the "pocket", use a stapler

[@SUVRVing]

That is certainly an option, and I've tried it before, but I vastly prefer magnets + netting.

[@speedfreak8200]

Thanks for the variation. Jalopy where is the best place to buy skeeter netting?

[@joapps8135]

speed freak any craft store like a hobby store or even a walmart's fabric section

[@joapps8135]

i have a better idea and much cleaner looking. cut out a piece of mesh netting that is sufficient to cover the window (to the interior side of the window) and also extends about halfway into the door jambs. with the door open and to the interior side of the window, use painter's masking tape (for easier removal) to tape the netting along the door jambs (top jamb and the 2 side jambs only). i dont tape the bottom to the car's interior door panel but instead i pull the netting taught enough when i tape the sides at the bottom so it pulls the netting taught against the top part of the door panel...tight enough so that bugs cant come through. (tip for taping: temporarily tape the 4 corners of the netting with small pieces of tape before trying to tape the netting along the 3 door jamb sides...much easier to tape down the netting. AND at this step before final taping, trim off any excess netting). after install, u can close the door and should not see any tape (taping should be all in the jambs). netting should be taught for a cleaner look. u can roll down windows and leave it on semi-permanently, unless u need to stick your hand out the window, etc. i would not leave on too long in hot temps, as the tape may melt a bit and make removal a bit tougher. it looks much more stealth too. in case of rain...i dont like those window rain guards, but i will buy those rain guards that install into the window seam and only temporarily slip it in the window when camping. for most SUVs/vans/et., u can even apply this netting to the rear cargo entrance. creates a very airy place to sleep with the rear hatch open! ...however, instead of applying to the door, u would be applying around frame... eg, my yukon has rubber tubing that outlines the rear cargo's opening's frame/jamb to stop water from entering the vehicle. i just tape the netting to the jamb next to that tubing. (for some SUVs, the netting cant be too taught for the rear hatch to shut properly) to get in/out of the rear cargo entrance, im going to buy a long zipper and tape & staple/sew it to the netting in a big U shape... after taping down the zipper, unzip the zipper and cut the netting along the opening for a door. (tip: when curving the zipper, a fabric lady told me to snip the edges to help the zipper curve). so now u have a tent-like zipper door to enter n exit. later, i might try making a rear door with one of those $10 door mosquito screens with magnets built in... as soon as u go through, the screen snaps itself back to a closed position for privacy n blackout needs, buy the desired fabric, cut out, and attach/detach to interior with velcro pieces. or glue on magnets...one side to the netting (using a backing) and the other side of the magnet to the privacy cloth

[@dawynn9362]

Thank you. Was looking at something similar on Amazon, but not as well made.