Here are some of the family friendly products I have tried. So far I have not found a repellent which is ideal in every way, but the following are a great place to look for a repellent to meet your family’s needs. Enjoy your spring and summertime without annoying mosquito bites while also protecting your kids from the West Nile Virus.
TerraShield Repellent Blend is an all-natural insect repellent which is DEET free and safe for the entire family. It is one of my favorites because it lasts for up to six hours and it smells wonderful! However, it is a little pricier than most products ($12.95 for a very small bottle) and it can only be ordered online through www.doterra-aromatics.com.
Off! FamilyCare Insect Repellent Tropical Fresh is a great option for frugal families. This repellent is just a little over five dollars per spray bottle and can be found at just about any chain store. It does contain 5% DEET, but the American Academy of Pediatrics states that repellents with less than 10% DEET are safe for children. The greatest perks about this product are that it isn’t too heavily scented and it can be sprayed over clothing without worrying about staining. Kids don’t complain about this one because it is so easy to apply.
Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent is made with all natural ingredients (mostly eucalyptus oil) and repels insects for several hours. It is a good product to use if your child has sensitive skin because it is very gentle. It is very effective but one downside is that the smell is quite strong, especially once it is first applied. Find it at www.rei.com.
Bite Blocker is one of the safest on the market, but it isn’t nearly as effective as some of the other products I’ve tried. I have found that it needs to be reapplied every hour or two and kids certainly don’t like to be stopped when they are playing. Because it is completely plant-based, it is safe to use on babies, but I wouldn’t waste your money (about $7 in case you’re still wondering). You can buy it on www.amazon.com.
Cutter Advanced uses a safer DEET alternative known as picaridin to keep bugs away. It needs to be reapplied every few hours, but it works well enough and is virtually odorless! It is one of the few repellents that doesn’t feel sticky on the skin and it doesn’t need to be washed off afterwards. It can be used on babies as young as two months, but note that it has been known to cause eye irritation in some individuals. It costs only $5-6 and can be found at your local store or on sites such as www.consumersearch.com.
Bug Bam! Insect Repellent Wristband is a fun and inexpensive idea. Kids like them because they just slip them around their wrists and ankles before they go outside. They are reusable for up to one hundred hours and use citronella to keep the mosquitoes away. They are cheap (just $4) and can be found at www.bugbam.com. Unfortunately, they aren’t as effective as other products but they are something different and kind of fun for a change.
