A Guide to Kid-Friendly Bug Repellents

Check out this quick guide to safely using bug repellent on children.

Insect Repellents for Children

The warm weather that accompanies spring and summer lures people outdoors. Unfortunately, various arthropod pests like mosquitoes are also more active, and children tend to suffer more severe reactions to bug bites.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, bug repellents containing chemical ingredients like DEET or Picaridin are safe to use on children as young as 2 months old. Such ingredients also have the advantage of longevity, so they don’t have to be reapplied too many times.

Some parents, however, prefer to avoid harsh chemicals used in traditional repellents and instead use natural bug repellent for babies and kids. Repellents can be homemade or can come in various forms like sprays, balms or repellent bands. Repellent bands have a slot for a pellet containing various essential oils, like citronella, that repel mosquitoes.

Natural Bug Repellents

A natural bug repellent will usually be made with essential oils and a carrier oil. The ingredients are sometimes described as food-grade or totally non-toxic. The various wearable options have the advantages of remaining effective for days and providing complete protection. The parent also does not have to worry about missing a spot while spraying a squirming child. Some natural repellents are even made with ingredients like peppermint oil that smell good. While many natural sprays need to be reapplied fairly often, there are some that last as long as the store-bought varieties.

Tips on Using Bug Repellent for Babies or Kids

Choose the right bug repellent for the situation; what works on mosquitoes may have no effect on ticks or vice versa. Read the label and pay particular attention to instructions and warnings.

Be thorough when applying the repellent as mosquitoes may find the spot that was missed. Lastly, don’t use mixtures of bug repellent and sunscreen as sunscreen tends to need to be reapplied more often than bug repellent.