Bug Off! A Parent’s Guide to Safe Insect Repellent Use for Kids

Keep your kids safe from mosquitoes and ticks this summer. Miami Pediatrics shares age-based guidelines, top insect repellent recommendations, and what to avoid for healthy, bite-free fun.

With the summer sun also comes a surge of mosquitoes, ticks, and biting insects — especially in warm, humid climates like South Florida. These pests are more than just annoying. Mosquitoes can carry viruses like West Nile, Zika, and dengue, while ticks can spread Lyme disease and other infections.

At Miami Pediatrics, we’re committed to helping families enjoy the outdoors safely. This guide offers everything parents need to know about using insect repellent for kids — what works, what’s safe by age, and what to avoid.

Choosing an Insect Repellant for Your Child

One way to protect your child from biting insects is to use insect repellents. Follow the instructions on the label for proper use. Keep in mind that most insect repellents don't kill insects. Insects that bite—not insects that sting—are kept away by repellents. Biting insects include mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, chiggers and biting flies. Stinging insects include bees, hornets, and wasps.

Insect repellents approved as safe and effective

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC) recommend using an insect repellent product that has been registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These products contain ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or another EPA-registered active ingredient.

DEET

The concentration of DEET in a product indicates how long the product will be effective. You can choose the lowest concentration to provide protection for the among of time spent outside. For example, 10% DEET provides protection for about 2 hours, and 30% DEET protects for about 5 hours. A higher concentration works for a longer time, but anything over 50% DEET does not provide longer protection. DEET products can cause skin rashes especially when high concentrations are used, but these reactions are rare. Until infants and children are at least 2 years old, apply DEET sparingly when needed. Only apply to exposed skin, not under clothing.

Picaridin

Similar to products made with DEET, insect repellents with picaridin provide protection from

mosquitoes and ticks for an amount of time that is based on the concentration of picaridin. For example, insect repellents that contain 5% picaridin can protect against mosquitoes and ticks for 3 to 4 hours. Products with 20% picaridin can provide protection for 8 to 12 hours.

Oil of lemon eucalyptus

When choosing insect repellents made with oil of lemon eucalyptus, look for EPA-registered

products. These products should not be used on children younger than 3 years. These insect

repellent products contain no more than 30% oil of lemon eucalyptus. Products with 8% to 10% concentration of oil of lemon eucalyptus protect for up to 2 hours, and products containing 30% to 40% oil of lemon eucalyptus provide 6 hours of protection. "Pure" oil of lemon eucalyptus (i.e. lemon eucalyptus oil) products have not been tested for safety as

insect repellents and are not registered with the EPA as insect repellents.

Natural insect repellents

Examples of "natural" insect-repellent ingredients include citronella, geranium, peppermint and soybean oil. These are deemed safe but have not been approved for effectiveness by the EPA. Most of these keep insects away for only a short time. Some natural repellents can cause skin irritation. Other products that are not proven to be effective against mosquitoes include wristbands soaked in chemical repellents and ultrasonic devices that give off sound waves designed to keep insects away.

Tips for applying insect repellent on your child

Do:

• Choose products in the form of sticks, lotions or unpressurized sprays.

• Read the label and follow all directions and precautions.

• Only apply insect repellents on the outside of your child's clothing and on exposed skin—

not under clothing.

• Use just enough repellent to cover your child's clothing and exposed skin. Using more

doesn't make the repellent more effective.

• Use spray repellents in open areas to avoid breathing them in.

• Help apply insect repellent on young children. Supervise older children when using these

products.

• Wash your children's skin with soap and water to remove any repellent when they return

indoors and wash their clothing before they wear it again.

• Use mosquito netting over baby carriers or strollers in areas where your baby may be

exposed to insects.

Don't use:

• Sprays in pressurized containers if children might accidentally inhale or get into their eyes.

• Repellent on children's hands because they may put their hands (and insect repellent) in their mouth and eyes.

• Repellent candles if your child is at risk of breathing problems from fumes (i.e. asthma).

• Insect repellent directly on your child's face. Instead, spray a little on your hands first and

then rub it on your child's face. Avoid the eyes and mouth.

• Insect repellent on cuts, wounds or irritated skin.

What if my child has a reaction to an insect repellent?

• Stop using the product and wash your child's skin with soap and water.

• Then call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for help.

Other ways to protect your child from insect bites:

• Tell your child to avoid areas that attract flying insects, such as garbage cans, stagnant pools of water, and flowerbeds or orchards.

• Dress your child in long pants, a lightweight long-sleeved shirt, socks, and closed shoes

when you know your child will be exposed to insects. A broad-brimmed hat can help to keep

insects away from the face.

• Don't use scented soaps, perfumes, or hair sprays on your child because they may attract

insects.

• Use mosquito nets and fans in outdoor eating areas.

• Keep door and window screens in good repair. Remove standing water so mosquitoes

cannot breed outside your home.

• Check your child's skin at the end of the day if you live in an area where ticks are present,

and your child has been playing outdoors. Remove ticks safely.

• Remember that the most effective product for ticks is permethrin. It should not be

applied to skin but on your child's clothing and gear. Permethrin also may be applied to

outdoor equipment such as sleeping bags or tents.

Final Advice from Miami Pediatrics

Whether you're heading to the park, beach, or on a summer hike, insect protection should be part of your family’s routine. The right repellent can keep your kids bite-free, healthy, and happy all season long.

Need help choosing the right product for your child’s age or skin type? Schedule a visit or give us a call — our pediatric team is happy to guide you. Call (305) 868-5181 or visit www.miamipediatrics.com to speak with one of our pediatricians or book your next appointment.

Adapted from the AAP Parent Website (HealthyChildren.org)