How To Choose The Best Bug Sprays: Deet Vs Picaridin
Two of the most common types of chemicals used in bug repellents are Diethyl Toluamide and Picaridin.
DEET: This is the most common and widely-studied ingredient used to keep you from getting bit, but the downside is that it can be greasy, smelly, and irritating for sensitive skin.
Picardin: A synthetic chemical that mimics piperidine is also effective in repelling bugs, but it doesnt have an odor or oily finish, and its also safer for sensitive skin and kids.
Off Deep Woods Bug Spray & Mosquito Repellent
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Contains fragrance
For camping trips or playing in wooded areas, this bug spray offers great protection. It contains 25 percent DEET and a single application can protect your child from mosquitos, ticks, chiggers, gnats, and flies for up to six hours. Once applied to the skin, this bug spray does need to dry or be rubbed into the skin.
Expert Notes: Chemical products with DEET provide the best protection against insect bites, while permethrin is most effective against ticks,Dr. Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, author of The Working Mom Blueprint and founder of www.modernmommydoc.com.
Active Ingredient: 25 percent DEET | Application Type: Spray| Bug Protection Type: Mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, gnats, and flies | Price at time of publication: $13
Natrapel Tick & Insect Repellent With 20% Picaridin
Price: $$
The CDC recommends a concentration of 20 percent picaridin, and thats exactly what this repellent contains. The Natrapel repellent comes in both aerosol and pump spray forms, so you have options. It offers up to 12 hours of protection, and it also wont harm your clothing or outdoor gear, according to the manufacturers.
One thing to keep in mind is that users did find this repellent to be more oily than some of the other options on our list. If dryness is a key factor for you, this might not be the best fit.
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Best For Babies And Kids: Babyganics Natural Insect Repellent
Keep your little ones defended against mosquitos with this baby-safe DEET-free formula, which uses a blend of bug-repelling ingredients and essential oils like citronella, peppermint, rosemary, lemongrass, and geranium. Recommended for ages six months and up, its packed in a travel-friendly spray bottle that wont get lost in your baby bag.
Theres not many products I feel safe using on my daughter that actually work, but this one does, . The smell of citronella a little strong but it keeps the bugs off the babies and mommas if you have sensitive skin.
The Best Insect Repellents For Children And The Family
Summer is here and its likely youre heading abroad or spending a decent amount of time outdoors. With this, comes a price. There is nothing more irritating than getting some nasty insect bites. So, here at Mother & Baby, weve made it our mission to stamp out any itching to ensure a happy holiday. Weve put together the best insect repellents for children and everyone else.
Luckily, there are plenty of products out there that will help keep pesky mosquitoes at bay. But, first, some questions have been answered for you.
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Checking The Faq And Customer Reviews Simplifies The Process
Checking FAQ answers and customer reviews can save your time enormously. There comes some questons in our mind which are similar with the people asked before frequently, that is called FAQ or Frequently Asked Questions. On the other hand, customer reviews are the short stories of the people who got experience of the products that you are looking for.
Our Top Tips For Using Insect Repellents On Eczema Children
- When using insect repellent on your child, take the time to read the label and follow all directions and precautions.
- Spray repellents in open areas to avoid breathing them in and apply just enough repellent to cover clothing and exposed skin more doesnt make the repellent more effective.
- When you come inside, wash your childrens skin with soap and water to remove any repellent and wash their clothing before they wear it again.
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Choosing An Insect Repellent For Eczema Children
Most parents of children with eczema are understandably wary about putting anything on the skin, sticking to tried and trusted shampoos, soaps and emollients only. However, when the summer insects are on the move here in the UK, or youre going on holiday where there may be mosquitos, you will probably have no choice but to use an insect repellent.
In this article, we explore the issue of insect repellents for children with eczema. We also and look at ways to keep your child bite-free without having to use a chemical on their skin.
Unfortunately, theres no simple answer to the problem of choosing an insect repellent for a child with eczema. DEET is perhaps the most well-known repellent, but if your child proves to be allergic to this, you should look for alternatives which contain Icardin, Dimethyl Pthalate or Eucalyptus oil. As is so often the case, its a question of trial and error to find out which repellent your child can tolerate.
What Is Deet And Is It Safe For Kids
Diethyltoluamide more commonly known as DEET is a common active ingredient found in insect repellents. It can be applied to the skin or to clothing and provides protection against mosquitoes, flies, ticks, fleas, chiggers, leeches and other nibbly insects.
Though DEET may be the most effective form of repellent, it is not advised to use on children under twelve. So, please avoid insect repellents containing DEET this summer if you have little ones. Plus, do not allow your children to apply the repellent themselves.
Most cases of severe side effects caused by DEET involve frequent long-term application on the entire body. However, for some individuals, DEET can lead to some more serious side effects.
According to Dr Axe, it is possible in some serious cases that DEET can cause skin reactions, seizures, fatigue, respiratory conditions and possibly even cancer.
So, what is safe for the kiddies?
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How To Keep Mosquitoes Away From Baby
If you are looking for natural bug spray for babies then you probably are looking for alternatives. Bug sprays are great, but its good to be cautious when using insect repellent for babies under 12 months.
Some quick ways of keeping mosquitoes away from babies are:
- Mosquito nets over playpen when outdoors
- Citronella candles or tiki torches
- Mosquito bracelets or bands
- Long sleeves and pants or onesies
When all else fails choose a baby-safe insect repellent.
Risks Associated With Mosquito Repellents
Some mosquito repellents shouldnt be used when pregnant, but most are safe if used as directed.
These are two mosquito repellents that have been registered by the EPA and have studies to back their safety for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding :
- DEET: DEET repellents are believed to be effective and safe.
- Picaridin: This is an alternative insect repellent thats also reported to be safe during pregnancy.
There are other safe alternatives on the market, but the two above offer the most effective protection.
Stay Away From
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Our Pick: Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent
*At the time of publishing, the price was $17.
After testing 23 spray repellents, weve concluded that Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent is the best. It has a 20% picaridin formula, making it effective against mosquitoes and ticks for up to 12 hours. Compared with the other picaridin-based repellents we looked at, the Sawyer pump spray applies repellent the most evenly, with the least amount of overspray. We also like its compact bottle design and double cap.
The most important aspect of the Sawyer insect repellent is its 20% picaridin base. As we outlined above, this chemical has the most positives and the fewest negatives of any EPA-approved repellent.
All 20% picaridin repellents should provide similar protection, but the Sawyer pump spray stands apart due to a couple of usability features. Compared with other pump sprays, the Sawyer offers the most even cloud of repellent. The majority of the others we tested were too wet, and some even spat out little puddles, leaving thick droplets on the skin. Getting even coverage on an arm or a leg was easiest with the Sawyer repellentaerosol sprays are much harder to control and result in a lot more overspray. They also make it difficult to spray areas near the face, like the shoulders.
Another benefit to a pump bottle is that its easy to tell how much you have left just give the bottle a little shake. This is much harder to do with an aerosol can.
Check Out Our List Of Bug Spray For Centipedes Favorites Below
- Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Cracks & Crevices is a spray foam that spreads deep into hard-to-reach places where bugs can hide, plus
- KILLS HOME-INVADING PESTS: Kills those pesky ants, cockroaches, fleas, centipedes, crickets, boxelder bugs, fleas, ticks and other listed
- LONG-LASTING: It keeps on killing German and American cockroaches and Argentine ants for up to 18 months and keeps killing carpenter ants
- INDOOR & OUTDOOR USE: The foam can be used inside your home or outside, and its non-staining on surfaces that water would not stain
- Ortho Home Defense Max Indoor Insect Barrier kills and prevents insects inside your home (12-month control for ants, roaches & spiders
- KILL LISTED INSECTS FAST: Kills all common household bugs like ants, cockroaches, spiders, fleas, ticks, scorpions, beetles, earwigs,
- INDOOR USE: Apply wherever insects are: in kitchens, bathrooms, basements, around doors and windows spray the hard to reach places where
- USE WITH CONFIDENCE: Dries up to 30% faster and leaves no stains or fumes people and pets may enter treated
- Extra Concentrated for Long-Lasting Protection
- Natural Ingredients Proven Effective in the Real World
- Large 16oz Bottle
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Off Familycare Insect Repellent
The best part about this bug repellent â aside from the fact that it really does keep the bugs at bay â is its sweet tropical scent. It contains 4.75% DEET and repels mosquitoes, gnats, and no-see-ums for up to two hours. Spray it on exposed skin and clothing for the best results.
To buy! OFF! FamilyCare Insect Repellent, $5.88
Hello Bello Organic Bug Spray
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Must be reapplied every two hours
This bug spray formula is completely plant-based, DEET-free, and hypoallergenic, so its great for kids with sensitive skin. It repels mosquitos for up to four hours with ingredients like citronella oil, lemongrass oil, peppermint oil, cedarwood oil, and thyme oil, and does not leave a strong chemical smell behind.
Expert Notes: “Do not apply repellent directly to a childs face. Rub it on your hands and then apply to the face, avoiding the eyes, nose, and mouth,Dr. Hes.
Active Ingredient: Citronella oil, lemongrass oil, peppermint oil, cedarwood oil, and thyme oil | Application Type: Spray| Bug Protection Type: Mosquitoes | Price at time of publication: $8
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Off Family Care Insect & Mosquito Repellent
Who else recommends it? Good Housekeeping also picked the OFF! Family Care Insect & Mosquito Repellent.
What do buyers say? 92% of 9,400+ Amazon reviewers rated it 4 stars or above.
Because of its non-greasy application and long-lasting effectiveness, OFF! Family Care Insect & Mosquito Repellent is our favorite bug spray for kids. What we appreciate most about this insect spray is how it applies. Rather than leaving greasy residue or film on the skin, the spray goes on dry like a powder and leaves the skin feeling soft. While its not unscented, users report that this spray has a lighter and fresher scent than most insect repellents .
The spray is formulated with 15% DEET for several hours of protection. The slim, lightweight spray can takes up minimal space and is easy to carry for daily use or when traveling.
Active Ingredient: 15 percent DEET | Application Type: Spray| Bug Protection Type: Mosquitoes, biting flies, gnats, ticks, chiggers, and fleas | Price at time of publication: $14
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Natural Ways To Avoid Bites
Using bug repellent is one way to prevent itchy bug bites, but there are several other ways to avoid pesky bugs. Have your kids wear loose-fitting, long-sleeve clothing in muted colors. Wear socks and shoes instead of sandals. Stay inside early in the morning and at dusk when bugs are the worst. Don’t use scented lotions that can attract bugs.
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Babyganics Deet Free Travel Size Bug Spray
Amazon
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Only two hours of protection
This bug spray is made from all-natural, plant-based ingredients and is 95.25 percent organic. Its DEET-free formula is safe for sensitive skin and contains soybean oil, rosemary oil, citronella oil, geranium oil, cedarwood oil, peppermint oil, and lemongrass oil. This bug spray provides up to two hours of protection from mosquitos and is available to purchase as a single or double pack.
Active Ingredient: Rosemary oil, citronella oil, geranium oil, cedarwood oil, peppermint oil, and lemongrass oil | Application Type: Spray| Bug Protection Type: Mosquitoes | Price at time of publication: $20
What To Know About Deet Bug Spray
DEET is the common name for N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide. Developed by the United States Army in 1946, DEET is the most common ingredient in US-sold insect repellents and generally considered the gold standard in effectiveness. DEET bug spray is meant to be applied directly to skin and designed to repel insects . By messing with the neurons on their antennae and mouths, DEET forces mosquitoes, flies, gnats and chiggers to back up and buzz off.
But is DEET safe? While rumors about potential DEET dangers have been circulating for years, after much research, the conclusion is that DEET is indeed safe for babies 2 months and older , as long as you use it as directed. I always recommend insect repellents that contain DEET for the best protection against insect bites, says CharlRe Slaughter-Atiemo, MD, FAAP, a Baltimore-based pediatrician and founder of CayTer 2 You Baby, a travel baby gear delivery service. DEET has been well researched for human use and is safe and effective for anyone over 2 months of age. Especially when you need to prevent insect-related diseases, the American Academy of Pediatrics says DEET is the best bug spray for babies. Ticks can spread Lyme disease, and mosquitoes can transmit West Nile and Zika, among other viruses.
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The 10 Best Bug Sprays For Kids In 2022
OFF! Family Care Insect & Mosquito Repellent is residue-free and kid-friendly
We independently research, test, review, and recommend the bestproductslearn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
Outdoor activities often come with the inevitable bug bite, and for kids, the itchy bites may feel unbearable. But mosquitos and ticks cause more than uncomfortable itching. These pests can carry diseases, which is why its so important to protect the youngest members of your family from insect bites with bug spray.
Sawyer Products Premium Permethrin Insect Repellent
Amazon
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Very effective for ticks, mosquitoes, chiggers, spiders, mites, and other insects
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One treatment lasts six weeks
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Have to treat before use and let dry
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Only can be used to treat clothing and gearnot directly applied on skin
Unlike the other products on the list which can be applied directly to the skin, this insect repellent from Sawyer Products is sprayed on your clothing, shoes, tent, backpack, and anything else youre carrying outdoors in an area prone to ticks.
Though it also helps keep other insects away from you, its one of the few treatments out there that is truly effective at repelling ticks, thanks, in part to its active ingredient: permethrin. For extra protection, apply permethrin to your clothing, Dr. Mamelak explains. A powerful synthetic insecticide, permethrin can also protect against fleas, ticks, and a number of other insect threats.
Price at time of publish: $22
Active Ingredients: Permethrin | Form: Spray
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Natural Bug Sprays With Essential Oils
There are lots of other natural bug repellents out there containing oils like citronella, cedar, clove, lemongrass, peppermint and soybean, among others. While botanicals may seem safer , plant oils have mainly been found to repel mosquitos only, Slaughter-Atiemo says, and for shorter amounts of time at that. More research needs to be done to see how well they repel ticks and other biting insects. For a quick fix when hanging out in the backyard, some parents prefer using a natural bug spray for babiesbut theyre not the best bet if youre in an area with insect-borne diseases. Lastly, natural plant oils arent regulated by the FDA, and while allergic reactions are rare, Slaughter-Atiemo says, they can still happen when using natural bug sprays with essential oils.
What Scents Keep Mosquitoes Away
Many natural scents that are appealing to humans work as a repellent for insects. These include:
Lavender
This bug spray is perfect for little ones as it does not contain any DEET or Picaridin. The spray shields you from mosquitoes, midges, sandflies, horseflies, ticks and other bothersome bugs. It also lasts for five hours and is approved by the Vegan Society.
If you use this spray to protect a very young baby, the brand recommends spraying the formula mainly on clothes and lightly on their skin.
Suitable for: 6 months +
Review: Absolutely fantastic. Total natural, safe protection and great for children with sensitive skin as well as adults. We’ve had no bites when wearing this in mosquito-laden areas. Works in tropical/malaria zones as well as places with, well, lots of bugs and insects – a fantastic alternative to DEET.
If you are looking for a bug deterrent that you do not apply to your skin, then this candle is infused with citronella oil, green citrus with undertones of fresh, clean fragrance. Additionally, the fragrance is safe for humans, pets and the environment its biodegradable and eco-friendly. Also, it comes in a beautifully packed bowl so that it will be great in any room or patio.
Suitable for: All ages
Suitable for: 6 months +
Suitable for: All ages
Suitablefor: 12 months+
Make sure to read all of the information before purchasing and using.
Suitable for: 3 months+
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