Bug Spray for Babies

My sister just tried the vanilla with water and it works AWESOME! We all used it last night and the bugs and flies stayed away! I used it on my 8 month old.

I don't really know if it works to keep flies away but Kiss My Face Swy Flotter works great for mosquitos and such. It's natural, and it smells pretty good too! It's what we've been using since the 5 year old was a baby.

Try mixing 3-4 drops vanilla extract per ounce of water and spray it on. It works beautifully for mosquitoes and I've heard all flying bugs are repelled by it. Not sure why, but definitely worth a try.

You'll get a variety of responses on the site about what's safe and what's not.

The FACT is that we really don't know. What we do know is that most "all-natural" products in health food stores, etc. are generally not FDA approved and have little clinical evidence to support their use.

I know AVON has really shied away from people using Skin So Soft for bug control because they haven't tested it and don't want the liability of promoting as such.

Here's what the American Academy of Pediatrics has listed on their parenting website about insect repellants:
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/...

I'd even recommend a call to the pediatrician just to be sure his age doesn't prohibit him from using whatever it is you select.

Good luck and enjoy your vacation!

The ONLY ingredient that works to keep bugs away is DEET. There have been tons of scientific tests done on everything else claimed to work and they don't. DEET is perfectly safe and has been used for years. Sure it doesn't smell good, but it works. There are many variations out there, and some now do smell better than others.

The only other things you can do is keep skin covered, especially around ankles and wrists (works if it's not too hot), and to stay indoors at dawn and dusk, when the bugs are most active.

Cutter's brand works ( spray clothes)

Bug block for horses. Flies avoid this stuff. Can spray porches, rooms, doorways also

You won't believe this, but it works!!! I used it on my 5 mos old and no bugs/ticks came near her at a camp ground. I still use it now at 16 mos old.

50/50 mixture of Water and Blue Listerine Mouthwash (mint flavor)

Recommended by my Pedi. Baby smells minty fresh. If baby puts hands in mouth, will not make them sick. Bugs/ticks CANNOT stand the smell.

Good Luck!

I use California Baby, which is available at Target. I think it's safe even for infants, but they have a website and you can check there. I live in Massachusetts and have had no problem finding it in stores.

California Baby bug spray is the one I've found is least toxic. I "ordered" it from Target, but maybe the one near you carries it??? http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com
Check the above site for toxicity levels in any of your cosmetics!

I know you don't have time now, but I LOVE Badger Anti-Bug Balm, it is certified organic, smells wonderful and we haven't had a bite with it! Order it so you have it next time. It is extremely convenient for travel, I always keep it in my diaper bag. But this time try the vanilla, that should work!

PS: Something to keep in mind, pesticide exposure has been recently linked to autism in a small study: http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/4508 (i.e. DEET is a pesticide)

In my experience, the only thing that TRULY works as a repellant is DEET or Picaridin. I don't like using pesticides on my kids, so I try to avoid it as much as possible. We stay covered as much as we can with clothing, screened in areas, or mosquito netting over pack and plays and strollers. We avoid being outside during the peak buggy times of the day. For those times you just can't avoid it, I would try to spray clothing instead of skin to limit absorption, and be sure to wash off any exposed areas when you go back inside. Good luck!