Two things can ruin a night in the camper: mosquitoes buzzing in your ear and the sun streaming in at six in the morning. Luckily, both have a simple fix with insect screens and blackout systems. They're cheap upgrades that boost comfort enormously, especially in summer. Let's take a look.
Insect screens: ventilation without the bugs
In summer you need to air the van at night, but opening windows or doors unprotected is an invitation to mosquitoes and other insects. Insect screens solve exactly that: they let air through and keep bugs out. Common types:
- For windows and skylights: many come built in; if not, made-to-measure ones are available.
- For the sliding or rear door: curtain-style magnetic or roll-up screens, great for ventilating at night with the door open.
- For cab windows: mesh that fits the front windows.
Ventilating well without bugs is also key against condensation; we cover that in ventilation.
Blackout: sleeping in the dark, with privacy
The other side of it. You need to block out light to sleep (especially in summer, when it gets light early) and for privacy. Options:
- Blackout blinds: built-in or made-to-measure for windows and skylights.
- Blackout curtains to close off the sleeping area.
- Cab insulation/sunshades: cover the windscreen and front windows, which is where most light (and heat) comes in.
These systems also help with temperature, and thermal blinds do it even better (see thermal blinds and curtains).
The perfect combo for summer
The winning combination for hot nights: an insect screen on the door or skylight for ventilation without bugs, and blackout blinds to sleep in the dark. Fresh air circulating, no light and no mosquitoes: the recipe for a great summer's night's rest.
In summary
Insect screens let you ventilate at night without insects, and blackout (blinds, cab sunshades) gives you darkness and privacy to sleep; together, they're key to summer comfort. The step you can take today: if you're travelling in summer, make sure you can ventilate with an insect screen (especially the door or skylight) and properly block out light; they're two cheap upgrades that completely change your nights.
