Has anyone ever done this DIY? We've got some pretty serious mosquitoes up here in Montana during the spring and early summer. Currently aren't able to really do anything outside. I'm looking for some way to screen in the porch so the kids can at least play outside some.

Wife would really like to have something retractable but all I've really seen are custom made systems, and I'm not looking to spend that kind of money on the current house.

Since the porch is our main entry point into the house, I'll need something with a door on it.

I did it and posted about it here

https://texags.com/forums/61/topics/3207711

Post up some pics with what we are working with here. Also, you looking to do this professional like, or throw down? I don't know how some of these screens will do with big snow.

Of course there are many ways to screen
from staple guns/hammers
to framed that may also have butterfly wing nuts to hold & place, then EZ off to storage.

BUT

Serving also as an Entry?
This allows the porch EZ pest entry, then you are trapped inside with them, spraying/swatting them & selves full time.

It's first worth a try to adopt other solutions ala
Oil rigs have huge bug blaster fans
Mushroom with blue lights & computer fans trap pests into net tray where they dry out
OFF sprays, dry, lotions (DEET)
Bronco E Equine Fly Spray Plus Citronella Scent, 1 Quart
Attract orioles (blood preferred over humans)
Cultivate a garden of plants mosquitoes avoid
Zapper swatters
THEN if fails, the screens become an added defense

tgivaughn said:

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Of course there are many ways to screen
from staple guns/hammers
to framed that may also have butterfly wing nuts to hold & place, then EZ off to storage.

BUT

Serving also as an Entry?
This allows the porch EZ pest entry, then you are trapped inside with them, spraying/swatting them & selves full time.

It's first worth a try to adopt other solutions ala
Oil rigs have huge bug blaster fans
Mushroom with blue lights & computer fans trap pests into net tray where they dry out
OFF sprays, dry, lotions (DEET)
Bronco E Equine Fly Spray Plus Citronella Scent, 1 Quart
Attract orioles (blood preferred over humans)
Cultivate a garden of plants mosquitoes avoid
Zapper swatters
THEN if fails, the screens become an added defense

---

We're beyond all that, I'm pretty sure. I've sprayed all over the dang place with Malathion and we get maybe 1 day where they aren't as bad. There's just too many to keep up with and we're basically in a swamp during sitting runoff. I also am not really aware of any mosquito repellent plants that will tolerate the harsh winters.

I don't expect screening to be 100% effective, but would be great to get 75% effective. The only spray I've found that really works is Repel 98% DEET. It's truly remarkable how bad they are right now.

YIKES, a place in Montana similar to the Everglades or deep Louisiana.
Of course the obvious solution has been posted but doesn't seem to be your budget nor energy level ... nor mine.
So, other EZ ideas & clay pigeons to throw:
... bat houses but takes time to attract enough planting attractions & building/buying/properly mounting houses (applies to anything that eats these pests)
... The main entry door MUST be elsewhere!
... First year trial investment should only be a roll of mos.netting stapled to outside of porch supports & DEET sprayed
... Rent a trencher/else to drain the swamp & curry up mos.eating fish for what remains as swamp
IMHO

We built a sunroom/screened in porch. Used memory vinyl windows. Overall really like them so far. Good option for having the screen + ability to close it up from weather and still enjoy.
https://porchlifedirect.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0fzvtKfi-AIVzCtMCh0yGwpwEAAYAyAAEgKA5fD_BwE

Here's the porch. There's really not another place the door could be moved to. We do have the sliding door that's right there, but it is not a good solution for entry, and I'm not replacing it with French doors.



We are planning to do a new build on our property in a couple of years and retaining this one for STR/guest house, so I'm not interested in sinking a whole lot of money into this one at the moment.

Seeking weird ideas that limit energy sweat money & EZ

https://www.amazon.com/Quictent-Canopy-Screened-Netting-Waterproof/dp/B08JFTH135/ref=sr_1_49_sspa?crid=34ZB5147KC0A2&keywords=screened+wall&qid=1657142972&sprefix=screened+wall%2Caps%2C634&sr=8-49-spons&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.75663753-bdc2-4684-b908-24b2eaf37afa&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE0NDk1RTdJMTRGQiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRJZD1BMDQyOTg5MTJEWDdJOE1ZSVI2MjcmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDY2MTYyMjM1TjROR0g4TloxUzMmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGZfbmV4dCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Pop it up inside your porch and to the rear of your front door & its path
Pop it down when mosquitoes are dead

Really not sure about pests flying up from between the deck boards ... if so, shop a pop-up that offers a plastic floor.


Still thinking about fast EZ cheap ......

You could also frame it in wood then build individual window screens to fill the openings and remove them when you are not wanting screens.

I think you could probably fab something up for a couple hundred and most of a day.

The side with the railing is easy. Make two rectangles for each of the openings between the columns. I would use 2 x 2s get a big roll of screen from amazon. Saw some 96" x 100 feet or something that was less than $150. Staple gun the screens to the 2 x 2 frames, then secure the frames to the columns and whatever else you can screw into. Easy to remove when winter comes and easy to put back next year.
The angled side is more tricky. I would probably frame out a screen door and some kind of triangular piece above.
Just do it, and post some pics. Doing it all the way is difficult. Doing it on the cheap and so it is removable should be pretty easy.

Milwaukees Best Light said:

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I think you could probably fab something up for a couple hundred and most of a day.

The side with the railing is easy. Make two rectangles for each of the openings between the columns. I would use 2 x 2s get a big roll of screen from amazon. Saw some 96" x 100 feet or something that was less than $150. Staple gun the screens to the 2 x 2 frames, then secure the frames to the columns and whatever else you can screw into. Easy to remove when winter comes and easy to put back next year.
The angled side is more tricky. I would probably frame out a screen door and some kind of triangular piece above.
Just do it, and post some pics. Doing it all the way is difficult. Doing it on the cheap and so it is removable should be pretty easy.

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That's the direction I'm leaning. Found a YouTube video where a guy did essentially the same thing, except he put in an accordion folding section on one side. Won't be getting that fancy, but he built a triangular header piece.

I'd frame the two "front" sections like MBL laid out above. Then I would put a "curtain" style on the angled part in front of the door. Install a track, add some magnets (I've seen ones that come with magnets in them, but they may not be long/tall enough for this). Again - cheap-ish DIY, but should last a few seasons.