The Best Bug Spray for Babies

Are you feeling confused about the best bug spray for babies? Don’t worry mama, I got you!

Picking out the right bug spray for your little ones can feel challenging, but the importance of a good bug repellant is something you should not overlook! Insects such as ticks and mosquitoes can carry diseases that we need to prevent our babies and children from being exposed to.

But what’s the best option for doing this without harming our little ones in other ways?

Let’s start by going over all the options for bug sprays:

Bug Spray for Babies: DEET Bug Spray

DEET spray has gotten a bad reputation partially from some brands selling repellants with up to 100% DEET that are definitely not safe. But let’s see what the research says about the lower amounts and the other alternative options to DEET spray.

After further research, DEET spray has actually shown to be safe and effective for everyone two months of age and older if used directed and with no more than 30% DEET in the spray. Plus, this bug spray is also safe for pregnant women. Dr. Blair Wylie states that DEET repellants are “considered safe with few side effects if used properly.”

As for babies, The American Academy of Pediatrics (or AAP) states that DEET is the best. Still, my personal catch with DEET bug sprays and why I don’t prefer them is that they only offer protection for 2-5 hours, they are toxic in high amounts, and you can only apply it once a day safely.

Bug Spray for Babies: Alternatives to DEET

The alternatives available include picaridin bug spray, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and natural bug sprays made with essential oils.

According to AAP, both the oil of lemon eucalyptus and picaridin bug sprays are equivalent to about 10% DEET.

Bug Spray for Babies: Picaridin

Picaridin is a synthetic version of a repellant found in pepper plants. It’s safe, protects for 3-8 hours depending on the concentration, and has fewer side effects than DEET, but the downside is that we don’t have studies yet on the long-term effects of use.

Bug Spray for Babies: Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus

Oil of lemon eucalyptus is another effective option for bug spray, but it isn’t safe to use on children under three years old due to a lack of research on the effects. But if your child is at least three years old, the CDC says it is safe and effective. 

Oil of lemon eucalyptus and lemon eucalyptus oil are not the same things. They come from different plants, and lemon eucalyptus oil has far less of the ingredient that repels mosquitoes called PMD.

So far, research has found that the oil of lemon eucalyptus bug sprays is effective in repelling female Ae. aegyptimosquitoes, the species most likely to spread Zika (Source).

Also, citronella essential oil isn’t the same as oil of eucalyptus either, but it is an effective insect repellant that I use! I especially love these soy citronella candles.

Bug Spray for Babies: Natural Bug Spray with Essential Oils

Natural essential oil-based bug sprays can be just as effective as DEET, but they last for less than 2 hours before needing to reapply again.

And you must wait until your little one is at least 3 months old to use! And always talk to your baby’s pediatrician before using any essential oils or new products.

DIY Natural Bug Spray Recipe

This is the DIY recipe I have been using for my daughter and family for the last three summers, and we all LOVE it!

• 4 oz glass spray bottle
• (optional) bug spray label
• 2 oz witch hazel
• Citronella – 10 drops
• Lavender  – 5 drops
• Lemongrass – 5 drops
• Cedarwood – 5 drops
• Peppermint – 5 drops
• (optional) 5 drops of clove or thyme

Non-Toxic or Low-Toxic Options for Babies

1. Badger Anti Bug Shake and Spray
2. Hello Bello
3. Babyganics

When to Apply Bug Spray to Your Baby or Child:

1. Sunscreen
2. Bug spray
3. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours
4. Reapply more bug spray if needed (read Dos and Don’ts!)

The Dos and Don’ts of Applying Bug Spray

Dos:

Don’ts:

✗ Do not use DEET on scratched, open, or sunburnt skin.

✗ Don’t put onto baby or child’s hands

✗ Avoid eyes and mouth. Use sparingly around ears

✗ Do not apply to hide under clothing

✗ Do not reapply DEET bug spray

✗ Never apply bug spray to babies under two months of age

✗ Do not use a combination of sunscreen and bug repellent

✗ Do not use oil of lemon eucalyptus on children under three years old

✗ Never apply essential oils to babies under three months of age

My Outdoor DIY Natural Bug Repellant

I spray this around the doors and windows of my home during the summer to keep the bugs out.

(same as bug spray above but with 2 oz of dish soap)

• 4 oz glass spray bottle
• (optional) bug spray label
• 2 oz witch hazel
• Citronella – 10 drops
• Lavender – 5 drops
• Lemongrass – 5 drops
• Cedarwood – 5 drops
• Peppermint – 5 drops
• (optional) 5 drops of clove or thyme

Bug Bite Itch Stick Roller Blends

For Baby (3 months+)

• 10 ml roller bottle
• Lavender – 1 drop
• Chamomile – 1 drop
• Tea Tree – 1 drop
• Fill the rest with a carrier oil

For Toddler

• 10 ml roller bottle
• Lavender – 1 drop
• Chamomile – 1 drop
• Copaiba – 2 drops
• Tea Tree – 2 drops
• Rosemary – 10 drops
• Fill the rest with a carrier oil

Check out the Adult Itch Stick here!

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Sources:

Choosing an Insect Repellent for Your Child

How to apply bug spray

AAP: Insect Repellent

DEET safety tips to know

DEET repellents safe in pregnancy

Are insect repellents with DEET safe for kids?

Do ‘Natural’ Insect Repellents Work?

Using chamomile solution or a 1% topical hydrocortisone ointment in the management of peristomal skin lesions in colostomy patients: Results of a controlled clinical study

Effect of Lavender Essential Oil on LPS-Stimulated Inflammation

Treatment of Ocular Itching Associated With Ocular Demodicosis by 5% Tea Tree Oil Ointment

Stacy D. Rodriguez, Hae-Na Chung, Kristina K. Gonzales, Julia Vulcan, Yiyi Li, Jorge A. Ahumada, Hector M. Romero, Mario De La Torre, Fangjun Shu, Immo A. Hansen, Efficacy of Some Wearable Devices Compared with Spray-On Insect Repellents for the Yellow Fever Mosquito, Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae), Journal of Insect Science, Volume 17, Issue 1, January 2017, 24, https://doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/iew117

DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding you or your baby’s health. Please read my Medical Disclaimer for more info

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