Insect Repellent?

Updated on May 30, 2008
K.F. asks from McHenry, IL
36 answers

We have a family reunion coming up in a few weeks in Minnesota. It's on a lake and basically, I'm told, the whole trip will be fishing, boating, swimming, etc. Anyone have a good solution for the millions of mosquitos I'm assuming we'll be dealing with? I try to stick with mostly organic, non-toxic products, but I have no idea what to do about insect repellent. My daughter is 2 1/2 and my son just turned 1. Thanks!!

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D.B.

answers from Decatur on

I just ordered some from California Baby...it is sunscreen and insect repellent in one. I have not used it yet so I don't have a review. But I just wanted to let you know it is available.
Have fun!!!

2 moms found this helpful

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S.D.

answers from Chicago on

Hi
I did a bunch of research on this, and the best , safest products I found were buzz away, and quantum insect repellent. They can both be purchased at Whole Foods. I plan on using them both on my 11 month old, and 9 year old daughters.
S.

3 moms found this helpful
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A.L.

answers from Chicago on

mint lotion and mint soap. it worked wonders while we were in India. I feel like that is the ultimate test! you would literally see the mosquitos come close to your skin then back away like there was some sort of force field. just make sure to cover ever single centimeter because those pesky mosquitos would find any opening! I bought it at Whole Foods.

2 moms found this helpful
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L.M.

answers from Chicago on

Here's a GREAT online source for insect repellant that is safe. I recommend the All Terrain for Kids -It is Deet Free. I LOVE this site as I use a lot of nutritional supplements and organic products, both cleaners and health & beauty, they have the BEST prices! and they have a flat rate for shipping, which I totally love cause sometimes my orders get heavy!

http://www.vitacost.com/productResults.aspx?ss=1&Ntk=...

I have also heard you can put full strength Listerine in a spray bottle and spray in a ring around your deck area or where you are setting out your food, etc to keep the skeeters away. I haven't tried it yet tho

2 moms found this helpful
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T.V.

answers from Chicago on

Hi K.-the last suggestion-vanilla works really great-if you want a lotion the California baby is great. Diapers.com has a green section now and has many natural forms available. There are many other essential oils that you can also use. It depends on what kind of convenience you are looking for.

I have used the California Baby products for a number of years and love it. Discount websites for naturals include naturalwebstore.com, vitacost.com and I think the other one is shopnow.com. The last one I am not sure of but All of the first three have a great kids sections. Let me know if you need anything else regarding organic and naturals. I have a huge list!!

T.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.S.

answers from Rockford on

California Baby makes all natural/organic products and they also make sunscreen and bug repellent that is chemical free. We haven't actually used the bug repellent yet but use their sunscreen and a lot of their washes and lotions, and they are awesome. Their website is www.californiababy.com if you want to check into their products
:)

1 mom found this helpful
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J.W.

answers from Chicago on

I just happen to come across an old Natural Health Magazine from last year and there is a section on Chemical Free insect repellent (July/Aug 2007)

For Mosquitos: says they are drawn to water, dark colors, sweat and blood. You can find DEET free products at www.shopnatural.com where you can find Beat It! www.drugstore.com is where you can find Bite Blocker Bio UD and avon's Skin So Soft Guard Plus. You can apply Witch Hazel on the bite to reduce swelling and itching.

For ticks the Tick Nipper can be found at www.rei.com

It also recommended to have California Baby Aloe Vera Cream on hand for bites and other scraps, burns, etc.

Have fun!

1 mom found this helpful
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D.M.

answers from Chicago on

Hello K.,

I have not tried this but I do know of others who like this product it is called Buzz Away. I think Fruitful Yield carries it.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.N.

answers from Chicago on

I heard about listerine mouthwash and spray the area where you be sitting or playing

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M.H.

answers from Chicago on

Hello, I heard Listerine, put it in a spray bottle and spay it around at the bottom of where your going to be and that should do the trick. Good Luck!!

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F.C.

answers from Chicago on

I bought some Insect repellent at Fruitful Yield. All plant & herb derived with neem for about $6.00. The gentleman at the check out said bugs hate the product in the spray "neem".

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P.F.

answers from Chicago on

I don't like to use chemicals on my skin or on my children.

I have found that "Skin so Soft" by Avon works well on keeping the mosquitos away. Try it out.

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N.S.

answers from Chicago on

I have always used the Off family brand. It is supposed to be safe for children. It does seem to work because my daughter loves to be outside in the summer until it gets dark sometimes and she rarely gets mosquito bites with that on.

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E.M.

answers from Chicago on

I just read that Listerene mouth wash was an awesome insect repellent. You can swab it on and put in a spray bottle.

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J.B.

answers from Chicago on

Try Avon's Skin-so-Soft.

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L.G.

answers from Chicago on

K.,
I know some great products from a Wellness company that I am partnered with and yes, it will repel the mosquitoes in Minesota. They are all VERY safe and have no chemicals in them ...!! Please email me at ____@____.com
L. Guinnee
###-###-####

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J.

answers from Chicago on

There's a product called BugBand (I bought it at Bass Pro Shops). It's a bracelet that repels insects. It all non-toxic and not chemicals. You can check out their webstite www.bugband.net.

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J.R.

answers from Chicago on

You could try the "Don't Bite Me Patch", it is all natural and works pretty well. I sent some to our son who was overseas in the Air Force and he wanted more of them. I have since sent them to a clinic in Africa for the childen to use, since it is all natural.

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M.W.

answers from Chicago on

Hi K.,
I'm a preferred customer with www.melaleuca.com. Because their products or non toxic, you can mix many of them together to create other things you need for your home and family. Below is the insect repellent recipe that I use on my 18 month old and my 6 year old.

Mosquito Repellent for Babies & Children
Sol-U-Mel - 3 ounces
5 Drops of T36-C5 Melaleuca Oil [purest and rarest grade of tea tree oil]
Water 8 to 16 ounces
you can spray this on their skin, clothes and even their strollers

Additionally, I apply the sunblock lotion first since it also helps in repelling mosquitos. If you'd like to try Melaleuca's products let me know. I'll show you how you can shop online and enjoy the PC price that I have for over the past 4 years.

M.
###-###-####
www.melaleuca.com
www.saferforyourhome.com

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V.C.

answers from Chicago on

Buzz Free Zone Personal Spray
Price ex-tax : $14.95
Description
Make your outdoor experience more pleasant with Mother Nature’s help. We use a potent combination of pure essential oils and organic herbal extracts, with absolutely no chemical nasties!

Ingredients
Organic Aloe Vera leaf juice
Purified Water
Proprietry Blend of Essential Oils
Organic Tea Tree Essential Oil
Organic Blue Mallee Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Organic Citronella Essential Oil
Organic Catnip Essential Oil
Pennyroyal Essential Oil
Organic lemon-scented tea tree essential oil
Natural Gum
Neem Extract
Thyme Essential Oil
Pine Essential Oil
Organic Peppermint Essential Oil
Organic Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil
Organic Lavender Essential Oil

These are all the ingredients. This product is 100% natural and it is certified organic. I hope that you will check it out at www.vickiecolon.mionegroup.com

Have fun in Minnesota. I used to live there and you will be dealing with millions of mosquitos but it is a beautiful place to visit.

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T.C.

answers from Chicago on

I read somewhere that listerine works as a great mosquito repellent. I haven't tried it yet, but it's worth a shot. Maybe try it out before your vacation. Good luck.

T. C

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S.F.

answers from Chicago on

California baby has a sunblock/insect repellant combo that I have used on my son for two years. It is all natural. He has never gotten bit!

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A.F.

answers from Chicago on

I found this the other day while looking for mosquito control for outside our house. www.mosquitobarrier.com

Excellent results can be obtained (up to 5 or 6 hours of protection) by using some common household items in a simple mixture you can make yourself! Simply mix 1 teaspoon of soybean oil (available from your grocery store) and one quarter of a teaspoon of Palmolive liquid soap into one cup of water. Mix well and spray onto your arms and legs and wipe on your face and neck.

To make sure you are not allergic to the soybean oil or the soap put small amount on the inner area of your forearm and wait a half hour to see if any redness or irritation occurs.

~~~I dont know if it will work, I have not tried it yet... but its worth a shot!

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L.V.

answers from Chicago on

This may sound weird and I have never tried it personally, but a friend of mine told me that if you put a fabric softener in your pocket it's supposed to keep the mosquitos away.

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S.V.

answers from Chicago on

I just heard from someone about spraying listerine around the AREA you are going to be, not actually on your skin, but for example on the chair you are sitting on. Or for you around the boat you are in. The person claimed there were ZERO mosquitos to deal with. Might be worth a shot.

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B.A.

answers from Chicago on

we use a product from Avon - ordered on line. it is a sunscreen and a insect repellent. check out www.avon.com

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M.B.

answers from Springfield on

Try pure vanilla mixed with water (equal parts, mixed in a spray bottle). We tried it this past weekend and it worked great!

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J.

answers from Chicago on

I just spent a weekend in Norther Wisconsin with alot of bugs and i found that using a bounce dryer sheet repells the bugs, what you do is rub the sheet all over your body and your clothing and if you like you can keep a sheet in a jacket pocket or your back pocket of pants and the bugs really stay away from you, I used this for my 3 yr old daughter because I do not like to use deet on her and it really did work because she did not get bit. I hope this helps good luck and have fun.

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R.B.

answers from Chicago on

Hi K.,

Unfortunatly, insect repellents are very toxic. Have you tried Avon's Skin-SO-Soft. There has been some success with that. Also, you mentioned that you try to stick with mostly organic, non-toxic products. I work for a Wellness company. We have almost 400 fantastic non toxic, naturally derived products that you use in your home everyday. Its a wonderful way to "goGreen" quickly and you can shop from home and save money. The average family saves over $600.00 per year! Our products are scientifically proven, SAFE, and work better than store bought. I would love to introduce you to a safer and healthier life style. It wont take much of your time. Please call me at ###-###-#### and ask for R..

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J.F.

answers from Chicago on

Tea tree oil you can get it at wal-mart or order some from www.melaleuca.com and if you are into safe non-toxic products check out the rest of their line we have been using it for more than 6 years and we love it!

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H.K.

answers from Chicago on

I would recommed Bug Be Gone found here
www.mywellnessoils.com/heidikeitz.htm
its organic and it works just a few pumps and rub it on exposed skin and the skeeters will leave you alone
oh and you can get a 10% off by going through the above page
H.

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A.H.

answers from Chicago on

I would definitely consult your pediatrician on this one, because some insect repellants are not recommended for children under 2. I'm sure your doc can recommend a repellant that is non-toxic and/or organic also.

Have a great trip!

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D.M.

answers from Chicago on

Dear K., I'm a mother of four and dont believe in chemicals on babies skin either. I put baggy clothes on them. Long sleeve and socks for sure. Just cover them up. Bugs are worse at dusk so I made a point ot be inside at that time. Hope this helps...

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J.S.

answers from Chicago on

This is a recipe from about 25 years ago:

Safe for Baby Insect Repellant

1 medium bottle baby oil
1/2 oz. Citronella
1/2 oz. Penny Royal
1 roll inexpensive toilet tissue, not the cushy kind

Combine the ingredients in an air-tight container. Remove center toll from tissue. Allow time for the tissue to absorb the ingredients. Carefully pull tissue from center like baby wipes.

Have a fun trip,
J.

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A.S.

answers from Chicago on

Try Kiss My Face. They carry a small spray bottle that fits in a diaper bag easily and smells pretty good too so my kids don't mind it. It also has spf 15 in it. I've only used it once so far and the bugs weren't too bad at the time. So far I really like it. Hope that helps.

A.
mom of 3 girls, 1,4,10

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G.C.

answers from Chicago on

You can find non-toxic and organic alternatives tht work great at the health food stores. The ones that I've used need to be put on a little while before being exposed to the insects so you need to think ahead. And also my mom swears by eucaliptis soap while bathing everyday, she uses Dr. Bronners. Don't forget to dilute those soaps a lot.

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