Insect Repellent Hats For Africa

Page Updated: May 2021

Do you really need an insect repellent hat for hunting in Africa?

An insect repellent hat will do the job in one of two ways...

A hat is made with material impregnated with an insect repellent such as permethrin OR
A hat is constructed with a drop-down mesh screen to create a physical barrier against insects.

A Permethrin Insect Repellent Hat Is Useful...

If you have always been particularly bothered by insects or are a 'mosquito-magnet', you might find some relief by wearing an insect repellent hat.
Certainly, if you are going to hunt in a malarial area of Africa and want to take every possible precaution.
However, most malaria-carrying and non-malarial mosquitos bite at dusk and during the night, so an insect repellent hat is rather defunct unless you wear it at dinner or in bed.
Generally when you are out hunting during the day in the usual bushveld hunting areas, mosquitoes are not a big problem. It is the tsetse fly and tick that are the real pests and and insect repellent hat is of limited use. Tsetse will mostly ignore permethrin and take a chunk out of your ear just under your hat and ticks generally start their journey on your body lower down on your legs.
Certainly, if you are hunting in swamp areas, rainforests or thick damp vegetation near water, where swarms of mosquitoes can make your life a living hell, a permethrin-impregnated hat with a mesh net and industrial quantites of deet smeared on exposed skin may help.

Anti-Insect And Sun Protection

Most of the high-tech anti-insect hats also have built-in sun protection where the fabric has been treated with chemical UV absorbers or even a complete chemical sunblock. They should be labelled with their UPF value, such as 30+ or 50+. However, unlike the anti-insect properties, the sun protection effect diminishes if the hat fabric gets damp, very wet, over-stretched or worn frequently.

Recommended Insect Repellent Hats

Please note, this page contains affiliate links, which means Shakari Connection receives a commission if you make a purchase using these links.

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The BugsAway Adventure Hat is quick drying, lightweight and packable. It is designed for ultimate sun and bug protection. It is constructed from jade infused nylon so it's cool to the touch, UPF 30 and comes with a removable chin strap. Buy Now

This boonie style hat is made of insect repellent impregnated fabric which creates a 'no fly zone' for insects buzzing around your face and neck. It has a mesh crown, an adjustable toggle, moisture wicking sweatband, a 2 1/2" brim, an hide-away neck insect shield neck cape and provides UPF 50+ sun protection. Buy Now

The Outdoor Research hat is treated with Insect Shield and helps protect against mosquitoes, ticks and other biting insects, including those that can carry disease. A wide brim, Solar Shield construction, mesh vents and lightweight UPF 30 fabric keeps you covered and cool on adventures in hot climates. Buy Now

Insect Repellent Head Nets

Head nets which are not built in to a hat, can be pulled over your regular hat when necessary. They can come ready impregnated with insect repellent or without.

To be effective the netting must be more than a probosis length away from your skin as tsetses and mosquitoes can pierce mesh and fabrics. Also make sure there is a snug fit around the neck and no holes, as a tsetse will find a way in.

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Keep mosquitos and other flying pests off your face and head with this fine mesh net which has an elastic neck for a snug fit. Designed to fit comfortably over most headwear. A safe and effective way to stay bug free without the use of chemicals. Lightweight and easy to carry anywhere. Buy Now

This hat comes with a hidden mesh net compartment on the top that conceals a mosquito head net. This hat also has an al round wide brim and provides UPF50+ sun protection. You are advised to measure your head circumfrerence if ordering this hat net. Buy Now