Woodsy trails, backyard playtime, and bonfires tend to have pesky bloodsuckers that ruin children’s summertime fun. Bites from bugs not only tend to be irritating, but they can also pose a threat to children since insects can transmit diseases.
For instance, some mosquitoes may transmit and carry deadly viruses such as Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Zika, and West Nile that can lead to death or disability. Ticks, on the other hand, can also carry Lyme disease, which is a bacterial infection that can cause chills, fever, and headache.
The thought of seeing our children exposed to such a risk is enough to make any parent reach for the best solution.
That’s why we have compiled seven of the best solutions for how to keep bugs away from your children:
- Avoid the Bugs
One of the best ways to protect your kid from bugs is by avoiding the environments that attract them. To do so, you must understand when the bugs are hungry and out. For example, black flies tend to be active after lunchtime whereas mosquitoes choose to prowl during dusk and dawn.
If your children cannot avoid these times, ensure that you dress them in light-colored, long-sleeved clothing to protect them from bites. Also, make sure that they have closed-toed shoes and that they tuck their trousers into their socks, especially if they are camping in wooded areas. Furthermore, avoid scented lotion and bright or dark-colored clothing that can lure insects.
Standing water is an ideal habitat for mosquitoes. To protect your kids, ensure that you make the area as unbearable as possible by draining all ponds and birdbaths and by trimming all bushes. Check that your area is exposed directly to sunshine since mosquitoes prefer shade.
Ticks prefer living in heavily wooded areas and bushes. These nuisances cannot fly or jump, so they can only be transferred from one person or animal to another. Therefore, trimming the grass and clearing your yard of debris are the best ways to avoid ticks.
Once you go out in the woods, always do a tick check once the kids come inside. Do a thorough inspection of the clothing, around the ears, between the legs, in the hair, and under the armpits. Remember, ticks will burrow into the skin to suck blood, and their bite is painless.
- Use Insect Repellents for Kids
According to medical experts, the two main repellent ingredients that are effective in protecting kids from mosquitoes and other bugs are icaridin and DEET. Although DEET is the most popular, most countries approved icaridin in early 2012 as an ingredient of the best bug repellent for kids.
The best part about products made with icaridin is that the compound irritates the skin less than DEET, and it is not smelly or greasy. Insect repellents for kids that contain this product have two concentrations, 20% or 10%, and both are safe for kids over six months old. The 10% concentration keeps ticks and mosquitoes at bay for two to five hours.The 20% concentration, on the other hand, protects kids against mosquitoes and ticks for seven and five hours, respectively.
If you are using DEET, ensure that you use a product with less than 10% concentration for children between six months and 12 years old. This keeps mosquitoes and ticks at bay for over five hours, and you should only apply it once daily for children age 2 and under.
Whichever product you pick, ensure that you apply it lightly on exposed skin and clothing. When it comes to the face, rub it on your hand, and then apply it on the face indirectly to avoid contacting it with the mouth or eyes. Remember to wash off the repellent when you come home since you do not want to expose your children to repellent for long.
- Use Dryer Sheets
Bounce dryer sheets have a unique ability to repel bugs. This is because they contain ingredients such as beta-citronellol and linalool that are effective in repelling bugs. Linalool naturally exists in basil and lavender and tends to be toxic to some insects, repelling them.
- Try Citronella
Citronella is a non-toxic and safe way to repel bugs, but it does not kill them. You can find citronella mostly in candles, and its oil can diminish mosquito landings by approximately 40% because it covers the human scents that attract insects, such as lactic acid.
The best part of citronella is that it comes in various styles and can offer a decorative touch and mood lighting. Others come in the form of wristbands that you can place on your kids when going camping. However, it would be best if you stay careful while dealing with citronella candles because they can cause a fire hazard.
- Equip Your Home with Fans
Mosquitoes and other bugs tend to be lightweight; thus, using a fan can be an effective way to blow them away. Investing in two or more fans can be useful since it will also provide you with additional comfort during summer.
- Equip Your Home with Bug-Resistant Plants
Bug-resistant plants such as rosemary, garlic, mint, and marigolds are useful when it comes to keeping the bugs away. Chrysanthemums are one of the best plants that can effectively repel roaches, ants, spider mites, and ticks. If you grow these plants strategically, you can reap the benefits of having a few bugs in your house and acquire a beautiful home appearance.
- Paint Your Apartment with Lighter Colors
Naturally, bugs tend to easily see bright and dark colors; that’s why children should wear light-colored clothing to keep them away. Thus, you should ensure that you use the same theory in your home.
To make your home less attractive to bugs such as mosquitoes, paint your home’s doors, siding, patio, and fencing with lighter paint color shades. However, do not forget to paint your home with the color that suits your needs and that enhances your home’s beauty and appearance.
Care for Bites
When your kid gets a bug bite, you could try and give them a cool bath or a cold compress. This will reduce swelling and itching. Remember, scratching the bite can lead to more itching and swelling, which can adversely affect their skin. Therefore, it is good to distract your child or to apply hydrocortisone cream if he or she can’t manage the pain.
In case your child has multiple infected or painful bites and has a high fever, you should contact a medical expert. Do not forget to research poisonous bugs in the place your children visit so that you know how to evade them and how to treat their bites.
By using the above repelling and preventive options, you can ensure that your kids have a summer free of stings, bites, and itchiness. Call us today to learn more about how you can protect your kids from bugs and treat them if the worst happens.
