Best bug repellents for kids and babies
Summer-time means fun. But it also means bugs.
Biting insects are not just annoying; they can also transmit serious infections. In fact, I treated my first case of Lyme a few weeks ago — and I expect to see more because the rates of tick-borne illnesses have been climbing in the US over the past decade.
Here is a practical overview of what to know so you can keep your kids safe this summer!
https://unsplash.com/@chriscantlose
The best way to protect your kids from insect-borne diseases? Choose an effective insect repellent, and use it correctly.
For those who just want the quick and dirty version, read the top section. If you’re interested in more in-depth info, read further!
What do I really need to know?
When it comes to bug repellent, natural does not mean better. I’m sorry. Natural bug repellents like essential oils are simply not as effective, and many are not well studied / considered safe - they’ve certainly not been studied as thoroughly as DEET or Picaridin. They can also cause reactions. Not worth it! (relatedly, please don’t make your own).
This year I’ve transitioned over to using Picaridin more than DEET — not because it’s safer or more effective, but because it leaves less of a residue on clothes. But I have no hesitations about DEET and am happy to use it if it’s the only option around.
Pick a product containing between 20% and 30% DEET or Picaridin.
Permethrin is a product that can be used to treat clothing, camping gear, etc as an added layer of protection.
Apply only as much as you need. Apply only to exposed skin (not under clothes). Avoid hands in infants and toddlers to decrease the risk of ingestion.
Wear the right clothes. Light long-sleeved pants and shirts provide a layer of protection. They also mean you don’t have to use as much insect repellent.
Apply only once a day. In general you should not need to reapply bug repellent more than once a day except in unusual circumstances. 20% Picaridin should provide ~12 hours of protection while 25% DEET should provide ~10 hours.
Don’t use suncreen/insect repellent combos. Remember, sunscreen needs to be applied every 2 hours so you would end up applying your bug repellent more often than needed if you use a combo.
Bright colors, flowery prints and scented soaps are more attractive to bugs.
What about babies?
Yes, DEET AND Picaridin can be used safely after your baby is 2 months old.
Mosquito netting is also an option, especially for younger babies. BUT you need to make sure that anything you use is netted and allows air-flow / prevents over-heating. If you’re using it over a stroller, for example, make sure you can still see your baby.
Using a spray increases the risk of inhalation. If you have no other option, spray in your hands first then rub on your child.
Using wipes is an option, but protection likely won’t last as long.
Wash hands with soap and water before eating. Because kids are kids.
Check for ticks at the end of the day. YES, EVEN IF YOU USED INSECT REPELLENT. EVERY DAY. Here’s a video that covers how and where to check.
Don’t use on cuts or irritated skin.
How does bug repellent work?
Many repellants work by disguising the scent of the carbon dioxide (which we all breathe out), although the exact mechanism may differ by product. Even after using repellent, some people are simply more attractive to mosquitoes and we don’t know why (although there are theories).
But what about the chemicals? Can they harm my baby?
It is always worth being thoughtful about the products we use on our children. Many parents are concerned about bug repellents causing skin irritation, or being absorbed into the body through the skin.
The active ingredients in the repellents I recommend are well studied and I consider them to be safe (I use them for my own kids!) But bug repellents are just one tool in your kit. You should also minimize exposure in other ways and layer protection (see list at the top of this post).
The Pediatrician Mom Tip: Apply sunscreen UNDERNEATH bug repellent the first time. After that the sunscreen will go on top.
https://unsplash.com/@angela_on_unsplash
The Pediatrician Mom Tip: As with all things, this is about risks vs benefits. The risk of an insect-borne illness in most cases outweighs the (small) risk of toxicity from an insect repellent, especially one that is well studied.
My favorite repellent: Picaridin
Effective against mosquitoes and ticks.
Considered safe; more widely used outside of the US
Choose a product with a concentration of 20%, which should provide decent tick and mosquito protection for 10-12 hours.
Can cause skin irritation and rashes (as can anything else). In this case, you should pick DEET or talk to your pediatrician about your options.
Does come in wipe and lotion form, but many of these products usually are lower in concentration. There may also be a lag in how quickly they work.
The deets on DEET:
Effective against mosquitoes and ticks.
Well-studied and safe
Choose a product with a concentration of 20-30%, which should provide decent tick and mosquito protection for 10-12 hours .
Below 20% may not provide enough tick protection.
Can cause skin irritation and rashes (as can anything else). With that said, DEET-associated toxicity is actually very rare (and is usually a result of ingestion by mouth rather than absorption through the skin).
Can be smelly
Oily consistency can damage clothing and other products (eg made of plastic) — the newer “dry” formulations make this less of an issue.
The Pediatrician Mom Tip: If you just want to know which products I use for my own kids, check out my Amazon page (but please be aware this is an affiliate link).
Permethrin
This is something I’ve added to our toolbox this year. It is sprayed on ITEMS (not people) - for example, shoes / socks / pants / camping gear. Wearing permethrin-treated socks and shoes has been shown to significantly decrease the risk of tick bites (PMID: 21485369, 32277701)
Pick a product with 0.5% Permethrin that has been approved for clothing. Do not spray while wearing the clothing - let the clothing dry completely before you put it on!
Protection can last through multiple washes, depending on the product. Wash treated clothing separately.
Do not apply to skin directly or inhale. Do not spray around cats (it can be toxic to cats immediately after application when wet) but is not a problem after it dries).
This should not be considered an alternative to using traditional bug repellents. Think of it as an added layer of protection!
What about natural products?
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus is a synthetic version of a chemical from the lemon eucalyptus plant. It is not actually an essential oil. The active ingredient is P-menthane-3,8-diol. Although some studies suggest that it is effective against mosquitoes and gnats, other studies have shown inconsistent and lower efficacy compared to DEET or Picaridin (and likely shorter duration of efficacy). Of note: many formulations can cause eye damage and historically have not been recommended for children under 3 years. I wouldn’t use it in my own kids.
The Pediatrician Mom Tip: Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus is not the same as Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil.
Citronella is not considered to be as effective or long-lasting for mosquitoes compared to DEET, and it is not really effective for ticks. Citronella candles are fine as a second layer/back-up if you’re in your yard, but I would not rely on them as your primary repellent.
Essential oils (eg: lemongrass oil, cinnamon oil, soybean oil, sandalwood, peppermint oil, clove oil, etc) make the rounds every year as “natural alternatives” to the standards. But these have not been studied as thoroughly for safety. There also is minimal evidence that they work to protect you from bugs (especially ticks). One study comparing a number of different essential oils found that protection from mosquitoes - if present - only lasted up to 20 minutes. (PMID: 12097535). Essential oils are also not regulated. Don’t be fooled! Remember: just because something is natural doesn't make it safer.
The Pediatrician Mom Tip: Garlic oil may protect you from vampires, but there’s no good data that it protects you from ticks. Stick to what works!
https://unsplash.com/@little_klein
I hope this post provides some reassurance as you plan your summer fun. The bottom line: if you’re going to use a product, pick one that we know is safe and effectively protects against all types of biting insects. Ideally, this means one containing Picaridin or DEET.
