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It’s a fact that kids LOVE to play outside. When the weather is nice, the kids head out, but so do the bugs. Some kids are more prone to insect bites that others.

The most important part is to keep them safe from insect bite and it’s reactions and infections by applying bug spray on your kids.
 
Choosing a bug spray can be confusing since there are many options but are things to consider before choosing one
 
✔ How old is the child?
✔How long will they be exposed to potential bugs?
✔What bugs are being targeted?
✔Do u want non-DEET and non- Picaridin?
 

What age should you start using bug spray?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children should use insect repellents (bug spray) in babies older than 2 months old.

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝟐 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐨𝐥𝐝, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐧𝐞𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 like this & 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠

How long will they be exosed to potential bugs (duration of play outdoors)?

Exposure: Choose type based on duration of exposure (2 hrs of exposure versus 5 hours). The higher percentages may offer more protection if child will be out or longer. However, there is a recommended safety percentage for some (see below).

What bugs are being targeted?

Bugs : Some repellents repel mosquitoes but not ticks. Depending on where you live, be sure to read the labels for potentials bugs targeted.

Does your family want non-DEET and non-Picaridin options?

𝐃𝐄𝐄𝐓 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 but Natural alternatives are an option (though less effective)

Here are the main types to choose from:

1. 𝐃𝐄𝐄𝐓
This is the most common ingredient in insect repellents sold in US.  A concern for a lot of people is for being linked to cancer but evidence hasn’t shown that it is.

Cases of neurotoxicity (brain) where noted to be due to inappropriate high + chronic use. So be sure to use as recommended.

Tips

• Can be used in children older than 2 months old.
• Choose higher concentrations to provide longer durations of protection (10% may last 2 hrs, and 30% may last 5 to 6 hrs)
  • • • For 7% DEET try THIS
      • For 15% DEET try THIS
      • For 25% DEET try THIS

• Avoid those with greater than 30% DEET levels. They are not recommended for kids

 
2. 𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧 is a synthetic version of repellent in pepper plants. It has been shown to be as effective as DEET but also more tolerable- it is odorless, nonstick and non-greasy. It has not been fully studied in humans. It’s mor epopular in Europe and Australia. Here’s a Picaridin repellent to consider

3. 𝐎𝐢𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐬 is a synthetic biopesticide that has been studied, though not as much as deet.
NB”

• It’s 1/2 as effective as DEET
• Recommended only for kids OLDER than 3 years old
• NB this is different from Lemom eucalyptus oil 

4. 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
These are great alternatives for families worried about DEET or picaridin. They contain different plants and oils- citronella, peppermint (check for allergies)

They may not be as effective as DEET but Repeat application may compensate for ineffectiveness

NB: 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐬 & 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 are not effective and are not recommended for children.

Tips for applying Bug Spray on Children.

These are great options. All images are clickable and lead to shopable affiliate links.

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