Quick verdict
Two fine mesh covers with drawstrings that pull over the open top of a rain barrel or bucket up to about 80 cm across, keeping mosquitoes and leaves out of the water without cutting a lid. They are the quick answer for open-topped barrels and food-grade drums. The mesh and PE edging are light, so expect a season or two of sun before replacing.
Strengths
- No cutting or tools: pull over the rim and tighten the drawstring
- Fine mesh stops mosquitoes laying eggs in stored water
- Fits barrels and containers up to about 80 cm in diameter
- Two covers in the pack
- Transparent mesh lets you see the water level
Weaknesses
- Light mesh and PE edging degrade in sun over a couple of seasons
- Sags in the middle under leaf load unless the drawstring is tight
- Not a filter for fine grit; pair with a diverter screen
The overall YardToolLab Score is out of 100. Section scores are out of 10.
Screening an Open Barrel Without a Saw
Plenty of rain barrels are repurposed drums or open-topped containers with no lid to cut a screen into. Bandelt’s drawstring mesh covers solve that in ten seconds: pull the mesh over the rim, tighten the cord and the barrel is sealed against mosquitoes and leaves while rain still falls in. The pack holds two, which matches how long each tends to last in full sun.
This review is based on the listing specifications and on how drawstring mesh covers perform on rain barrels generally. We have not used this cover ourselves and the brand is a generic importer.
Design
A circle of fine transparent mesh with a PE edge and a drawstring channel. Stretched it measures about 95 cm, so it fits anything up to roughly 80 cm across, which covers 55 gallon drums, trash cans used as barrels and most moulded barrels. The transparency lets you see the water level without lifting anything.
Mosquito and Debris Control
Mosquitoes need open water to lay eggs, and a barrel left uncovered for a week in summer becomes a nursery. Fine mesh stops that completely. Leaves and twigs collect on top where they can be brushed off, rather than rotting in the water. The mesh does not stop fine grit or pollen, so a barrel fed by a downspout still benefits from a screened diverter upstream.
Fit and Use
Pull the cover over the rim and cinch the drawstring under the lip so wind cannot lift it. Keep the cord tight; a loose cover sags under wet leaves and pools water in the middle. For a downspout diverter hose, aim it at the centre of the mesh.
Durability
Light mesh and elastic edging are the trade for the no-cut convenience. Owners of covers like this report one to three seasons before sun weakens the material, depending on exposure. Having a second in the pack covers the replacement, and a shaded barrel position extends life considerably.
Who Should Buy It
- Owners of open-topped drums or containers used as rain barrels.
- Renters and anyone unwilling to cut a lid.
- Mosquito-prone areas where open water is a hazard.
Common Owner Complaints
Sagging under leaf load, sun degradation and the mesh being too fine for heavy diverter flow in a storm. Tight drawstrings and shade address most of it.
Alternatives to Consider
A metal-framed inlet screen such as the ANTOBLE 6 inch filter is the permanent solution for barrels with lids. Purpose-made rain barrels ship with screened lids. A square of window screen and a bungee cord is the DIY equivalent.
Verdict
For an open barrel the drawstring mesh cover is the fastest route to mosquito-free stored water, at a price that makes replacing it every couple of seasons painless. It is a convenience product, not a permanent fixture, and judged that way it does its job.
Full specifications
Bandelt 2-Pack Drawstring Mesh Cover for Rain Barrels FAQs
Yes. A standard 55 gallon drum is about 58 cm across, well within the 80 cm limit.
Yes for rain falling on it or a downspout aimed at it. Very heavy flow from a diverter hose may pool briefly on the mesh.
Owners of similar covers report one to three seasons before the mesh or elastic weakens in sun, which is why two come in the pack.
Leaves yes, and it discourages birds and squirrels from drinking or falling in, though it is not a locking lid.
