Tiny, innocuous-looking mosquitoes can cause big pain for kids.
Mosquito bites can make the summer months itchy and painful for kids. With increased concern about West Nile virus and other diseases spread by mosquitoes, mosquito bites can be dangerous. However, kids are still at a much higher risk for inadvertent poisoning than they are of getting a disease from a mosquito bite. Choosing a non-toxic mosquito repellent can help kids avoid the misery of mosquito bites without risking their health.
Skin So Soft
Avon's Skin So Soft is one of the best-known natural mosquito repellents. The soft smell of this skin oil is pleasant to humans but repelling to mosquitoes. Lightly cover the exposed areas of skin in Skin So Soft before going outside. The oil also can be used as a soothing treatment for itchy mosquito bites.
Citronella
Some kids can't sit still long enough to be covered in mosquito repellent. If you don't have time to slather your kid with an insect repellent, try using citronella candles. They'll repel mosquitoes for about 10 feet, so place them around the perimeter of areas where your child will be playing. If you're hoping to repel mosquitoes in an entire backyard, planting citronella plants and lighting citronella candles can be an excellent strategy.
Mosquito Traps
Commercial mosquito traps are now available at most hardware and home improvement stores. These traps work effectively on most species of mosquitoes, but may not kill them all, so it's a good idea to test the traps for effectiveness before spending an evening outside. Set up several around your yard and you may be able to have a mosquito-free summer.
Garlic Oil
It's generally not advisable to cover your child in garlic oil, but garlic oil spread around the perimeter of a play area can both repel and kill mosquitoes. If you need a quicker solution and are just eating an outside dinner, try placing garlic cloves around the area in which you'll be eating.
Baby Oil
Baby oil won't repel mosquitoes, but it will keep mosquitoes from biting. This soft-smelling oil makes skin unattractive to humans and can also make it difficult for a mosquito to find a good area of skin to bite. Cover your child in baby oil and he or she will have soft, mosquito bite-free skin all summer.
Physical Barriers
When weather permits, put your child in long sleeves. Light-colored, loose-fitting clothing can keep your child cool in the summer months and prevent mosquitoes from biting legs and arms.
Tags: your child, mosquito bites, repel mosquitoes, Skin Soft, around perimeter, citronella candles