Latin America is currently experiencing an epidemic of mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika, which is why it is more important than ever to protect yourself from them.
These diseases can have serious long-term consequences, such as microheadaches in children when Zika affects pregnant women, or chronic pain in the case of chikungunya. All of them are transmitted by the Aedes aegypti, a mosquito that is easily recognized by its striped legs.
To avoid this, it is necessary to take basic precautions, such as using repellent and emptying all containers in which stagnant water accumulates, because mosquitoes can spawn there.
You can increase the precautions with some elements that you can do yourself, such as a natural insect repellent, a candle to ward off mosquitoes, or this screen door that will not allow them to enter your home.
You can also, for example, have easy-to-grow plants in your garden that keep insects away, and protect not only you, but all your neighbors.
Materials
– 2 sturdy pine boards, the length of the door
– 4 boards of the same wood with the measurement of the width of the door, subtracting the width of the vertical wood
– Pieces of a finer wood that you will use for the joints (see images)
– Ribs of a more solid wood such as oak or walnut
– Metal mesh to cover the surface of the door
– Two strong door hinges
– 80 brass screws long enough to go through wood
– Handle and a hook to lock
– Chainsaw)
– Drill
– Wood glue
– Hammer
– square
– Sandpaper (you can also use a sander)
– Stapler and staples for wood
Process
1. First of all, you need to prepare all the parts. This door is placed inside the frame of a solid door, to be able to close only the mosquito net, allowing light and air to enter, but not mosquitoes.
Measure the door opening and cut two pine planks to the length of the opening; three with the width but subtracting the width measurement of the vertical boards; and a piece that can have the same size, to place inside one of the free rectangles, vertically. Guide yourself by the photographs, but adapt the design to the door and materials you have.
2. Make the necessary holes in the large boards to insert the smaller ones into them. The small pieces may have a surplus that you sand to fit into the large boards, or you can drill holes in their sides and use pieces of wood to fit them together. Take a look at the photos.
3. Fit all the pieces together and secure with screws.
4. Cut some pieces of metal mesh a few inches larger than the openings in your door.
5. Cut some solid wood slats to form frames around these openings.
6. Place the screens over the openings, on the side of the door that will be on the inside of the house, and secure them with a stapler.
7. To give a better finish, place solid wood strips on the edges of the mesh, which you will have to cut diagonally, as in the image, to form a frame. Screw them at each end to the door, going through the mosquito netting.
8. Attach hinges to hold the door, and a hook to close it. You don’t need a lock as this screen goes over another door, but if you want the house to be closed with just the screen, you can add one.
9. Tie your screen door to the door frame on the inside, leaving room for both to close.
Clever! Let the air and sunlight into your house, but not the mosquitoes!