Mosquito spray can also damage the wearer.
Mosquito repellant can contain harsh chemicals that are harmful not only to mosquitoes and other insects but also to the wearer. Because of this, choosing the right insect repellant for your children can be difficult. Fortunately, several insect repellants are designed to be safe for use with children as well as parents without diminishing the effectiveness of the repellant. Does this Spark an idea?
DEET
DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) is an oily chemical repellent found in several mosquito repellents. This chemical, has been tested on children and found to be safe. Still, this is a powerful chemical repellent and can cause harm if too much is used. For small children, use chemical repellents with only 30 percent DEET or less to ensure safety. Additionally, avoid spraying DEET on the face or in areas such as the hands where children can ingest the chemical. Child-safe DEET repellents include OFF! and Ben's 30 Percent DEET Tick and Insect Repellent Wipes. Do not use DEET insect repellent on children under 2 months old.
Citronella
Unlike DEET and many other insect repellents, Citronella oil is deemed non-toxic by the Environmental Protection Agency and poses no risk to wildlife, the environment or children. This oil comes from the citronella plant (pelargonium citrosum) which blooms annually The plant itself uses the oil as an insect and animal deterrent, and the oil is also used in insect repelling candles, wipes, lotions, gels and sprays. Skin So Soft by Avon is a popular child-safe insect repellent but Off! and Triple J Insect Repellent also make Citronella-based repellent products.
Soybean Oil
For those who do not enjoy the smell of citrus, soy bean oil is another safe alternative for children who need protection from mosquitoes and other insects. Also listed by the EPA as a non-toxic repellent, this substance can be found as an active ingredient in several insect repellents such as Bite Blocker insect repellent. In fact, Bite Blocker also uses food-grade organic ingredients in its spray, including coconut oil and purified water.
Lemon Eucalyptus
Lemon Eucalyptus has a strong smell, but it is also the only child-safe natural alternative that has been approved by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to repel West Nile Virus.
Tags: Bite Blocker, chemical repellent, insect repellent, insect repellents, Lemon Eucalyptus