Safe Mosquito and Tick Repellants for Children
UPDATED 5/2024
As summer approaches- and stay at home orders become less strict- we will all surely spend more time outdoors. Longer, sunny days will bring picnics, hikes, water activities, outdoor time and, yes BUGS.
Mosquitoes, ticks - they all love the summer months and there are few things worse than a child that has been bitten by a couple of mosquitoes and can’t. Stop. Scratching. What is worse, though? The illnesses many of these bugs can spread.
Lyme disease affects about 300,000 people each year. Dengue, West Nile, Zika are increasingly common.
Which mosquito repellants are safe for children? Will anything help avoid tics?
More on this below- but before I get into reviewing repellants- there are easy, non chemically dependent things we should all be doing that can decrease the chance of getting bitten by mosquitos and tics.
FOR MOSQUITOS:
Grow highly aromatic plants like basil, thyme, lemon grass and lavender. These plants tend to fend off mosquitoes.
Remove standing water from your yard: pay attention to unused planters, buckets, sandboxes and kids toys
Wear long sleeved shirts and pants.
For babies in strollers always take a mosquito net for walks
FOR TICKS
To find out if there are Lyme carrying ticks in your area the CDC has maps of REGIONS WHERE TICKS LIVE (https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/geographic_distribution.html )
Clean up any dead leaves or overgrown brush and mow long grasses. Keep grass short and trim low hanging branches and weeds
If you live in a tick prone area, try creating a barrier around your yard between your yard and a wild green area. You can use wood chips or bark. Lay at least 3 ft wide
If you are going hiking or into a wooded area, or an area with tall grass, have kids wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Make sure they also wear closed-toe shoes and tuck pants into long socks to help keep ticks from biting.
Wearing light colored clothing helps you see ticks better
Any time your little one has been outside in grassy or wooded areas during the warmer months, be sure to inspect her for ticks and other insect bites. Do a bug body scan and make sure to look at:
In and around the hair
In and around the ears
Inside the belly button
Between the legs
On the backs of the knees
ankles
Even if you don’t see any ticks, it is a good idea to drop clothing in the dryer machine’ since its heat will actually kill any tick and give your little one a bath/shower.
If you find a tick you should remove promptly. For younger kids try removing it by soaking a cotton ball in warm soapy water and placing it on your child's skin for 30 seconds; when you remove the ball, the tick should come with it. If not: remove carefully with tweezers. Grab the tick as close to the skin as possible and carefully pull it off. Call your pediatrician for further instruction.
If possible keep the tick in a sealed container- there are different types of ticks and showing the tick to your pediatrician he/she might be able to tell you if it is a tick known to carry lyme disease
RECOMMENDED SPRAYS AND REPELLANTS
Science is showing us that some people attract mosquitos more than others. On a recent trip to Dominican Republic, my sons both had 30+ mosquito bites and my daughter and I had zero…. and we used the same repellent (at the end of the trip I stopped using repellent and didnt get bitten so I wonder if the repellent did anything in the first place!) . WE were using the more natural versions below and a lemon eucalyptus one so maybe the boys just needed something stronger…. but since it was not disease carrying mosquitos and the bites weren’t too uncomfortable ( I jnow 30+bites sounds horrendous and looked horrible too But it didnt bother them too much likely because we were in the water most of the day..) I dint get anything stronger…. but here are my recommendations…
I am going to say there are FIVE IMPORTANT rules when it comes to kids and bug repellant spray:
1. Young babies should not be using any chemicals repellant. This means take extra caution when taking them outside if there are mosquito spread diseases in your are or your area is known for tics. When you are out and about with a young baby- it is preferred to have them sit in a stroller with a mosquito net (check strollers for ticks when you get home too)
2. When using these bug repellant sprays on children : DO NOT LET THE CHILD apply the repellent on themselves. An adult should always be the one in charge of applying the repellant (the CDC recommends this for children under the age of 10). Even the safest of these alternatives still contain chemicals that can be harmful if ingested. Essential oil based sprays like my choices below are milder and safer- but never spray pure essential oils on a baby (or child )
3. Spray on clothing no skin. Whenever possible spray a child’s clothing. Never spray their face nor hands nor cuts. I would also add : Apply spray repellent in an open area to avoid inhalation
4. Higher concentration does not mean the repellent will work better; it means it will last longer. Pay attention to my recommended concentrations below- higher concentrations of certain chemicals (like DEET) can be harmful to children)
5. Always try the more natural botanical options first. Leave the DEET, PICARDIN and LEMON EUCALYPTUS for when disease carrying ticks and/or mosquitos are a problem. These ideally should not be used daily (unless you live in an infested area)
Here are my picks:
DEET
DEET works. There is no doubt about it, however it is a very strong chemical with serious potential side effects like seizures, disorientation and slurred speech.
When to use: I would only recommend DEET if you are in an area with a known bug-borne disease risk (lyme, Zikka, Dengue etc).
Concentrations: DEET comes in different concentrations - pay attention to these and never use a concentration higher than 30% on a child (20% is appropriate for children).
Tips:
Spray clothing, not bare skin.
Never use DEET on infants
Even if you used DEET always check your kids for ticks
If possible, avoid Aerosole sprays and opt for lotions and pumps (pumps being the option for spraying over clothing). Aerosole chemicals can be harmful too
MY PICKS
Honestly this was really difficult (and extremely time consuming !) . The problem is that most insect repellents that I looked into that contain DEET do not disclose their inactive ingredients. To me this is a big concern because while 20 or 30% of a product is DEET….. I don’t love the idea of not having any idea what makes up the other 70-80% of the product
Off! brands - were the only brand I found full ingredient lists for - this is thanks to a new policy their parent company SC Johnson has of disclosure (they even disclosed their fragrance chemicals used)
Thus, there is one DEET product I would recommend: do keep in mind I am not endorsing it as being ‘non-toxic’ . These are NOT natural ingredients but - when you are faced with diseases like lyme, Zikka, Dengue, West nile etc this would be “the best’ out there that I found with DEET.
OFF! FamilyCare Insect Repellent IV Mini Pump Spray:
DEET 7% (note for disease carrying mosquito and ticks 20% is the recommended minimun)
inactive ingredients: Ethanol, fragrance (2-methylbutyl 2-hydroxybenzoate; amyl salicylate* (possible allergen) ; benzyl acetate(EWG 1) ; citronellol*(possible allergen) ; citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil*; coumarin*; dipropylene glycol; geraniol*; heliotropine*; isopentyl salicylate; methyl hydrogenated rosinate*; oils,orange-juice*; p-menthan-8-yl acetate* ) and aloe vera
OFF!® Deep Woods® Insect Repellent VII
Because it is a spray pump and not aerosole, this has ‘ better’ ingredients than its aerosole counterparts.
Ingredients: 25 % DEET, water, Ethanol and Fragrance (2-methylbutyl 2-hydroxybenzoate; amyl salicylate*; benzyl acetate; citronellol*; citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil*; coumarin*; dipropylene glycol; geraniol*; heliotropine*; isopentyl salicylate; methyl hydrogenated rosinate*; oils,orange-juice; p-menthan-8-yl acetate… )
ingredients with a * are known allergens
I did look into the OFF! botanical line (DEET FREE) but I did not like that they had Germaben II- a chemicals that is a known penetration enhancers, among other ingredients.
BRANDS I LOOKED AT BUT DONT DISCLOSE THEIR INGREDIENTS
Sawyer Premium ULTRA 30 nsect Repellent Lotion
30% DEET but the other ingredients are unknown
Sawyers Family insect repellent control release
20% DEET
but 80% are: Supplier Trade Secret
Ben's® 30 Tick & Insect Repellent
DEET, Propylene Glycol: Dipropylene glycol Monomethyl Ether: could have contain ethyl oxide and/or 1,4 dioxane which has been lined to genetic effects, cancer and reproductive toxicity
Total HomeTM Woodland Scent Insect Repellent (Consumer Report’s top pick)
DEET 30% 70 % unknown
REPEL INSECT REPELLENT SCENTED FAMILY FORMULA® 15% DEET
Disclose 57% of their ingredients-according to its Material Data Sheet: the other 43% are “Ingredients not identified are proprietary or non-hazardous.”
DEET (N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide) 134-62-3 25.00% Ethanol 64-17-5 23.00% Isobutane 75-28-5 8.00%…. this last one is a gase associated with allergies and inhalation toxicity
PICARDIN
What it is: Picardin is a synthetic chemical made to resemble piperine the natural compound found in plants used to make black pepper.
When to use: when you live (or are traveling to) areas with known tick or mosquito born illnesses.
Concentration: In order for it to be effective against ticks and mosquitos the spray must contain at least 20% picaridin.
The Environmental Working Group considers Picaridin to be a good DEET alternative with many of the same advantages and without the same disadvantages- however recognizes longer term studies are necessary.
Tips:
This is a good alternative for those days when you need full coverage (walk in the woods etc) but, ideally, not on a daily basis.
At the end of the day, wash treated skin with soap and water always check your kids for ticks
My picks
Sawyer Products Premium Insect Repellent with 20% Picaridin
ingredients : 20% Picardin, ethanol
Ranger Ready Scent Zero Insect Repellant
ingredients: Picardin, Water, alcohol, propylene glycol (this has been linked to dermatitis ) and Fragrance (undisclosed probably contains endocrine disrupting chemicals)
Ingredients: Picardin, Water Ethyl alcohol 20, Polyethylene Glycol 400
LEMON EUCALYPTUS
What it is: The good news is that the CDC, Environmental Working Group and Consumer Report have found that lemon eucalyptus oil is just as effective as DEET and a much safer alternative. The bad news is that it is not advisable to use in children under 3 years of age. Additionally, lemon eucalyptus can cause “severe but temporary eye injuries” so you need to keep it away from eyes.
When to use: The Environmental Working Group recommends Lemon Eucalyptus Oil to avoid ‘normal’ (non disease carrying) mosquito/ bug bites, as well as to avoid lyme carrying tick bites and West Nile virus. If you are concerned about ZIKA it is best to go with DEET.
Concentration: 30-40% oil of lemon eucalyptus (p-Menthane-3,8-diol) warded off mosquitoes for at least 7 hours and kept deer ticks away for at least 6 hours.
Tips :
If using on kids (ONLY age 3 or older) try to spray on clothing instead of skin
Avoid aerosol sprays- eye exposure can be serious
At the end of the day, wash treated skin with soap and water, and wash treated clothing in a separate wash before wearing again.
Always check your child for ticks
Do not use if pregnant
My Picks
Repel Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus* 30% Citriodiol 30.0% SDA-40B alcohol 40.0%
Murphey’s Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Mosquito and Tick Repellent Spray
Ingredients: ACTIVE INGREDIENTS:
- Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (30%)
INERT INGREDIENTS:
- Deionized Water, Corn Ethanol (70%)
BOTANICAL INGREDIENTS
Although they have been found to be less effective than the chemicals listed above, depending on where you live if there are no serious illnesses threatening, it might be worth it to try these products first since they are much safer for young children. Some of these oils are allergens so patch test first if possible
Among them:
Carnip oil: 7% and 15% concentrations offer 7 hours of mosquito protection, no tick protection
Citronella: 4.2% concentration provides 1 hour of mosquito and tick protection. Citronella may cause allergic skin reactions , so use with caution
Castor oil
Cedar oil
Soybean oil
Peppermint oil (might contain limonene, a known allergen )
Ideal for:
-The occasional mosquito or if mosquitos don't really bother you
Brands I like:
Primally Pure Nature spray ( contains citronella oil which can cause allergies so I do not recommend for young children)
Ingredients: Witch Hazel*, Distilled Water, Fractionated Coconut Oil, Castor Oil*, Essential Oils of Citronella*, Cedarwood*, Lemongrass*, Rosemary*, Geranium*, Peppermint* and Wintergreen*
Badger Anti Bug Shake and Spray
Organic Soybean Oil, Organic Castor Oil, Organic Citronella Oil, Organic Cedar Oil, Organic Lemongrass Oil, Organic Rosemary Oil, Organic Geranium Oil, Organic Peppermint Oil. Inactive Ingredients: Water, Organic Wintergreen Oil.
California Baby Plant-based Natural Bug Repellant Spray
6% Natural Bug Blend Active Ingredients: Pure essential oils of *cymbopogon nardus (citronella) 5%, *cymbopogon schoenathus (lemongrass) .5%, *cedrus atlantica (cedar) .5%.94% Other Ingredients: Aqua (water), *carnauba wax (cera carnauba), vegetable glycerin.*Certified organic, sustainable or renewable
Active Ingredients: 41% Rosmarinus officials (rosemary) hydrolat,* 10% Ricinus communis (castor seed) oil,* blend of essential oils [ 2% pelargonium graveolens (geranium),* 2% cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass),* 1% mentha piperita,* 1% eugenia caryophyllata (clove bud),* 1% thymus vulgaris (thyme),* 1% cedrus atlantica (cedarwood)*]
Inert Ingredients: (41%): alcohol,* glycerin (vegetable)*
Kinfield Golden Hour Deet Free Repellent
citronella oil (10.00%), lemongrass oil (1.00%), clove oil (0.01%),
Inert Ingredients:
isopropyl alcohol, lauric acid, water, vanillin
Soybean Oil 95.25% *, Rosemary Oil 1.5%, Citronella Oil 0.95%, Geranium Oil 0.75%, Cedarwood Oil 0.70%, Peppermint Oil 0.60%, Lemon Grass Oil 0.25% *Certified Organic Ingredient
If you dont mind the soybean oil, this is another option….. also added because it is easy to find in the store
Home made with Essential oils including Rose Geranium, Lemongrass and Cedarwood this is an extremely effective mixture. Safe to use on pets too
VANILLA EXTRACT
recently many people in social media have used and claimed that vanilla extract helps ward off mosquitos. I have yet to try this, but I wonder if those people, like me, are just not the type of person mosquitos are attracted too or if it truly works. NExt time we are around mosquitos we will try this! Make a spray with organic pure vanilla extract and spray away!