The 10 Best Bug Sprays for Kids to Keep the Pests at Bay

Best With Picaridin: EarthKind Stay Away Mosquitoes Insect Repellent

Why We Like It

EarthKind Stay Away Mosquitoes Insect Repellent is an EPA-registered product. We love that it accommodates simply 4 components, is secure to use throughout being pregnant, and works for up to 14 hours. After making use of it to our personal pores and skin, we have been ready to go a complete day with out being bitten, even whereas spending a number of hours at a time open air amongst seen mosquitos. 

In phrases of software, we like that this repellent looks like a moisturizer and offers off a barely candy scent (although it’s technically unscented). We additionally like that its nozzle casts a variety, which is able to assist make sure you apply it evenly in your wiggly kiddo.

But Take Note

Although we like that this repellent is available in a sprig, it did make it difficult to apply to our children’ faces. It didn’t seem to be waterproof throughout our testing course of, and we discovered rapidly that somewhat goes a great distance—so rubbing it in was essential to stopping a white forged on our pores and skin.

The Details:

• Active ingredient: 20% Picaridin
• Protects in opposition to: Mosquitoes, gnats, biting flies, and chiggers
• Recommended age: No age restriction
• Reapplication: Up to 14 hours

Best Lotion: Sawyer Products Picaridin Insect Repellent

Why We Like It

Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent is an EPA-registered product. Its thick, white consistency makes it straightforward to see the place it’s been utilized and reminds us of sunscreen—besides that it lasts for up to 14 hours and doesn’t go away a white forged behind. One of our editors who examined it whereas working in her backyard reported that it was resistant to sweat and guarded her from getting bitten the a number of hours that she was open air. We suppose youngsters will like its nice citrus scent and fogeys will respect that it doesn’t stain garments.

But Take Note

This lotion feels a bit greasy at first, so make sure to rub it in all the method. Also, it’s solely obtainable in a 4- or 6-ounce bottle, however its managed launch will be sure that your baby is protected all day lengthy. 

The Details:

• Active ingredient: 20% Picaridin
• Protects in opposition to: Mosquitoes and ticks 
• Recommended age: No age restriction
• Reapplication: Up to 14 hours

Best Plant-Based: Cutter Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent

Why We Like It

If you’re wanting for a extra pure strategy to defending your child from bug bites, give Cutter Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent a attempt. Specifically, this spray accommodates 30% oil of lemon eucalyptus, which may present up to six hours of safety from mosquitoes and is the solely plant-based repellent really useful by the CDC.

This Cutter spray is an EPA-registered product. If your baby is snug with a Vicks VapoRub-type scent, they gained’t thoughts you spraying it on their pores and skin. We like that it can be utilized to clothes to give youngsters an additional layer of safety.

But Take Note

Dr. Rose advises mother and father to save this repellent for their older youngsters since oil of lemon eucalyptus just isn’t secure for kids who’re youthful than 3 years previous (primarily due to the lack of analysis on younger kids). 

The Details:

• Active ingredient: 30% oil of lemon eucalyptus
• Protects in opposition to: Mosquitoes and ticks
• Recommended age: 3 years and up
• Reapplication: Up to 6 hours

Best Stickers: BuzzPatch Mosquito Stickers for Kids

Why We Like It

Easily the most kid-friendly choice on our listing, the BuzzPatch Mosquito Stickers are a enjoyable, mess-free method to defend youngsters from mosquitos. Each sticker accommodates citronella oil, which makes it more durable for mosquitos to find your kiddo as a result of it masks scents that appeal to them. According to the model, these stickers final for up to eight hours and include medical-grade adhesive that can be waterproof. This makes them a fantastic different to spray and simple to take alongside for tenting, a visit to a theme park, or a day at the seashore. 

We love that these stickers are available in a pack of 60 colourful smiley faces with particular directions on the place to place them relying in your baby’s age. And since these stickers are worn on clothes slightly than pores and skin, they’re even secure for infants to put on—though it’s best to all the time examine along with your pediatrician first.

But Take Note

Since Buzz Patch Mosquito Repellent Stickers include citronella oil, they’re exempt from registration with the EPA. Also, every sticker solely repels a specific amount of space, so older youngsters and adults are required to put on extra. 

The Details:

• Active ingredient: 10% citronella oil
• Protects in opposition to: Mosquitoes
• Recommended age: No age restriction
• Reapplication: Up to 8 hours

Best Wipes: Cutter All Family Mosquito Wipes

Why We Like It

The Cutter All Family Mosquito Wipes are EPA-registered and value simply $7 a pack. We like that they’ve a pleasing citrus scent and don’t go away behind a sticky residue. And since most children are accustomed to child wipes, this repellent is simple to apply on little ones (however make sure to keep away from your baby’s eyes, mouth, and fingers). 

One of our favourite issues about these wipes is their dimension. They are a fantastic choice for mother and father on the go and are sufficiently small to slot in a fanny pack. Plus, they’re even inside the limits for carry-on baggage, which implies your loved ones will probably be shielded from mosquitoes as quickly as they step off the airplane.

But Take Note

Although comparatively cheap, the draw back to these wipes is that they want to be reapplied each two hours since the focus of DEET is low (7.15%).

The Details:

• Active ingredient: 7.15% DEET
• Protects in opposition to: Mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats, no-see-ums, chiggers, fleas
• Recommended age: 2 months and up
• Reapplication: Every 2 hours 

Best Bracelets: Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Bracelets

Why We Like It

If your child places up a combat about utilizing bug spray, these Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Bracelets are a fantastic different. They are available in a colourful pack of 10 and will be worn in your baby’s wrist or ankle (so long as they’re at least 3 years previous). Each bracelet is efficient for up to 10 days or 250 hours and will be saved in the resealable bundle when not in use. 

To keep at bay mosquitoes, these bracelets include a combination of important oils, together with geranium, lemongrass, and citronella oil, which were proven to assist forestall mosquito bites. And since they’re waterproof, they are going to nonetheless defend your kiddo throughout a day at the seashore or a dip in the pool. 

But Take Note

Since Cliganic bracelets include quite a lot of important oils, they’re exempt from registration with the EPA. Also, they aren’t for youngsters who’re youthful than 3 years previous, so mother and father ought to maintain them out of attain from their little ones.

The Details:

• Active ingredient: 16.05% Geranium oil, 5% lemongrass oil, 0.95% citronella oil 
• Protects in opposition to: Mosquitos
• Recommended age: 3 years and up
• Reapplication: 250 hours

Best Organic: Hello Bello Organic Bug Spray

Why We Like It

We love that this Hello Bello Organic Bug Spray is constructed from a combination of natural important oils which were confirmed to repel mosquitoes. It’s hypoallergenic, accommodates no parabens, phthalates, or artificial fragrances, and is combined with vitamin E, an antioxidant that moisturizes the pores and skin and improves its general well being.

In addition to youngsters, this spray is secure for your furry relations—your pets! Hello Bello additionally claims it’s secure for pregnant folks to use; nonetheless, we all the time advocate checking along with your healthcare supplier earlier than doing so. 

But Take Note

Due to the important oil components, this spray isn’t really useful for infants who’re youthful than 6 months previous. Also, it wants to be utilized each 4 hours because it doesn’t include energetic components like DEET or picaridin. 

The Details:

• Active components: Citronella, lemongrass, thyme, cedarwood, and peppermint oil
• Protects in opposition to: Mosquitos
• Recommended age: 6 months and up
• Reapplication: 4 hours

Best Mosquito Net: Sysmie Mosquito Net for Stroller

Why We Like It

Mosquito nets are one among the most simple but efficient methods to forestall mosquito bites. Our favourite is that this Sysmie web as a result of it extends almost 5 ft broad and has loads of stretch to match over a stroller, play yard, bassinet, or automotive seat. This breathable web is available in a pack of two in seven colours and folds down flat, making it straightforward to carry alongside in your diaper bag and tremendous handy for journey. 

But Take Note

Of course, this web gained’t defend your baby once they’re outdoors their stroller, which is why it’s additionally not an choice for older youngsters. 

The Details:

• Active ingredient: None
• Protects in opposition to: Mosquitos
• Recommended age: 0-4 years
• Reapplication: None

Other Notable Bug Sprays for Kids

• OFF! Active Insect Repellent I (15% DEET): This product lived up to its promise of defending us from mosquitoes for 4-5 hours. It was straightforward to apply and didn’t go away a greasy movie on our pores and skin. However, it did emit a scent and the bottle was slightly small, so we’d have to exchange it extra typically than we’d like. 
• Natrapel Tick and Insect Repellent (20% Picaridin): Although this product did a great job of defending us from mosquitoes, it has a powerful chemical-like scent and the bottle sprays an excessive amount of repellent out at a time. 
• Ben’s 30% DEET Tick & Insect Repellent Wipes: We like that this repellent is simple to wipe on, nonetheless, it didn’t soak up effectively and we didn’t discover it very efficient at defending us from mosquitoes.

Our Testing Process 

We started our analysis and testing course of by interviewing 4 specialists to study which mosquito repellent components are secure, efficient, and really useful by the CDC, in addition to the varied security measures mother and father ought to observe when making use of mosquito repellent to their kids. We then researched and examined the high mosquito repellents on the market, prioritizing these really useful by the CDC, and regarded merchandise that make the most of important oils which can be registered with the EPA, equivalent to citronella and oil of lemon eucalyptus. 

When testing mosquito repellents, our editors paid shut consideration to the following: 

• Application: Our editors first utilized a take a look at patch on their arm and famous how straightforward it was to apply. After 5 minutes, they watched for any antagonistic reactions and noticed how the repellent felt on their pores and skin, how lengthy it took to dry, the way it smelled, and if it stayed on their pores and skin when uncovered to water. 
• Efficacy: Our editors wore every repellent open air at least 5 separate instances. They famous how effectively it stayed on their pores and skin in the event that they started to sweat and if it protected them from bugs for the listed period of time. 
• Portability: Lastly, we decided how transportable the product was by evaluating how effectively it slot in a tote bag and if it leaked when carrying it round. 

Our Experts

Due to their particular person experience in biology, entomology, and dermatology, we obtained steerage from the following specialists earlier than starting our analysis and testing course of: 

• Immo A. Hansen, an affiliate professor of biology at New Mexico State University who makes a speciality of molecular biology and physiology of mosquitoes
• Wizzie Brown, BCE, entomologist at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
• Brendan Camp, MD, a dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology who’s double board-certified in dermatology and dermatopathology
• Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist

Factors to Consider When Buying Bug Spray for Kids

• Ingredients: When selecting a mosquito repellent, entomologist Wizzie Brown says the first rule of thumb is to look for an EPA-registered product that accommodates one among the six CDC-recommended components: DEET, Picaridin (generally known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outdoors the US), IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, Para-menthane-diol, and 2-undecanone. Brown explains that these components will defend your baby from West Nile and Zika Virus, and when used as directed, EPA-registered mosquito repellents are secure and efficient, even for pregnant or breastfeeding folks.
• Effectiveness: Although sure important oils can repel mosquitoes, Professor Hansen says they gained’t defend you so long as components like DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus do as a result of they evaporate rapidly. In common, DEET is called the gold customary for mosquito repellents, and Hansen explains {that a} larger focus works for an extended time period.
• Application Method: The most typical method to apply mosquito repellent is to spray it in your fingers and rub it in your pores and skin. However, many mosquito repellents are actually obtainable in the type of lotion, wipes, stickers, and bracelets. 
• Scent and Skin Feel: Mosquito repellents have a status for being pungent and sticky, however that sturdy scent (most frequently from DEET) is what protects us from mosquitoes. However, picaridin is almost odorless and simply as efficient as DEET, whereas oil of lemon eucalyptus has a definite scent that your kiddo could be okay with.
• Duration of Protection: Mosquito repellents can final anyplace from just a few hours to days at a time, relying on what repellent you employ. For instance, DEET repellents can be found in quite a lot of concentrations with the strongest lasting the longest. If you’re wanting to restrict your baby’s publicity to chemical substances, utilizing a decrease focus of DEET is one choice or opting for a extra pure repellent, like stickers or a bracelet. 

Who We Are

Laura Lu, MS, is a commerce and parenting author at Parents and a mother of two. She and her household reside close to a bay in sunny Southern California, which makes them susceptible to the occasional mosquito invasion. She believes in balancing efficient components with pure merchandise as a lot as doable and has used each Off! Family Care Insect Repellent II with Picaridin and BuzzPatch Mosquito Stickers for Kids to defend her little ones from bug bites.