No-one likes getting bitten by mosquitos, least of all kids. If you’re travelling to an area where mosquitoes abound (or if you happen to live in a place where mosquitoes like to swarm) then you’ll want to make sure you and your children are fully protected with the best possible mosquito repellents for kids. More importantly, If you’re travelling to a region where mosquito-borne diseases such as zika can be found then you’ll really want to make sure you have a hard-working insect repellent. Countries such as India, Sri Lanka and The Philippines are places where diseases such as dengue fever and malaria are a risk. Don’t let the pesky bugs put you off however, with the right preparation and the right mosquito and insect repellent you can enjoy your travels bite-free! The following recommendations are based on products that we’ve used as a family and through research but you should always check with your own doctor if you’re unsure of any products before using them on kids.
Mosquito repellents for kids: what to look for
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The most important thing is to find a mosquito repellent that will protect you from bites without causing irritation. You should also be aware that different types of mosquitoes bite at different times of the day; mosquitos carrying malaria tend to bite between dusk and dawn whereas mosquitoes carrying other diseases such as dengue fever and the zika virus tend to bite during the day. In addition to mosquito repellent, there are other precautions you can take to avoid getting bitten but we’ll get to that later on in this post.
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Mosquito repellents containing DEET
DEET is the common name for N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide and is largely considered to be the most effective mosquito repellent. It’s recommended as safe for babies as young as two months by both the American Academy of Paediatrics and the NHS Fit for Travel website. It’s also recommended as safe for pregnant women. Insect repellents containing DEET come in different strengths and the higher the percentage the longer it lasts (although above 50% there is not an increase duration of protection). The most popular strength is 50 per cent DEET, although for young children it’s recommended that you use products with between 10- and 30 per cent DEET. Products containing DEET can and should be used on all exposed areas of skin and should be reapplied after washing, swimming, sweating and after applying sunscreen. It’s worth pointing out that DEET doesn’t actually kill mosquitoes rather it deters and repels them by interfering with their neurons and receptors. DEET also works on other insects too such as flies and gnats.
Mosquito repellents containing Picaridin
Picaridin is an odourless synthetic ingredient that is modelled after a compound that is found naturally in the black pepper plant. Percentage is important with repellents containing picaridin – a 5 per cent picardin spray won’t protect you but a 20 per cent picaridin spray will. Picaridin is deemed safe for everyone, including babies.
Natural Mosquito Repellents
There are a number of natural and eco-friendly mosquito and insect repellents, some of which are very good. They don’t, however, have quite the same repelling power as sprays and lotions containing Picaridin or DEET. So it all depends on where you are travelling. If you’re visiting a country where the risk of a mosquito borne illness is a serious possibility, I’d choose a DEET-based product every time. They are proven to act as better repellents and they protect for longer; a DEET product with 5-10% concentration will offer 2-4 hours protection.
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
Often confused with lemon eucalyptus essential oil, oil of lemon eucalyptus extract (also known as p-menthane-3,8-diol, or PMD) is derived from the leaves of the lemon eucalyptus trees and chemically synthesised. It is effective against mosquitoes but should not be used on children until they are at least three-years-old. By contrast, lemon eucalyptus essential oil is not effective against disease carrying mosquitoes.
The best mosquito repellents for babies
As I said above, DEET products are safe to use on babies as little as two months. However, unless you’re travelling in an areas where dengue fever, malaria or chikungunya are prevalent – where you really don’t want your child to get bitten – you may want to use a natural insect repellent.
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Babyganics produce this DEET-free natural insect repellent that is a blend of plant and essential oils (Citronella, Peppermint, Rosemary, Lemongrass & Geranium).
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Made in France, Para’kito specialise in natural insect repellent products safe for babies, toddlers, kids and adults. The main ingredient is oil of lemon eucalyptus, the natural kind (rather than the synthetic).
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California Baby’s repellent spray swaps DEET for a mix of cedar pure essential oil mixed with citronella and lemongrass (apparently mosquitoes don’t like landing on oily surfaces).
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This Baby Creamy Oil Aloe Vera & Vitamin E by Johnson’s is easy to put on and effective too.
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I used mosquito patches such as these by Mosquitan on my kids all the time when we lived in India (I would generally use them with another product as well, however). You simply stick them on the back of your kids’ clothes and away you go. These ones are DEET free so can be used from birth as they don’t have to have any contact with the baby’s skin.
The best mosquito repellents for kids
The following list is by no means exhaustive but is a combination of mosquito repellents that we have used, particular during our time living in Mexico and India, and the best on the market. Obviously, you can use the insect repellent for babies listed above on your toddlers and kids.
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We’ve used this British brand, Incognito, a few times now and found it to be really effective. It is a natural insect repellent but it does include some synthetic chemicals, which may be irritating to children. Incognito can be used on babies older than 3 months.
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Safe for children aged 1 and up, this product contains 7 per cent DEET and is a good option for all the family.
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This family-friendly mosquito repellent contains 7 per cent DEET offering two hours protection from mosquitoes as well as biting flies, gnats, no-see-ums, ticks and chiggers.
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Insect repellent wipes are sometimes easier to use on children than sprays (and there’s no risk of them ingesting it) and these from Cutter are very effective.
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There are lots of these mosquito repellent bands on the market. Infused with citronella, these silicone wristbands are long-lasting and waterproof. They are a good option for older kids – younger children might try and eat them!
Odomos, only available in India and other areas of the Indian Subcontinent, this highly effective and clinically proven mosquito repellent is safe for kids. If you’re travelling in India then definitely look out for it as it’s very good.
Tips for avoiding mosquito bites
In addition to using a good insect or mosquito repellent, there are other things you can do to limit your chances of getting bitten including:
Cover as much of your skin as possible; wear long sleeves, long pants / trousers, socks and covered shoes. Light coloured clothing is less attractive to mosquitoes than dark colours.
Avoid mosquito-attracting smells; perfume and sweat attract mosquitos like bees to pollen. Shower to remove sweat and use unscented sunscreen and shampoos.
Avoid breeding grounds; mosquitoes are more likely to be found in areas where they can breed, such as stagnant pools.
Avoid peak mosquito hours; mosquitoes carrying malaria tend to bite between dusk and dawn whereas mosquitoes carrying other diseases such as dengue fever and the zika virus tend to bite during the day.
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