When choosing a bug spray for children, you’ll first want to check the label to make sure the ingredients are kid-safe. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, insect repellents containing DEET and picaridin are safe to use for children two months of age and older. Lemon eucalyptus oil, commonly found in natural repellents, is safe for children age three and up. (To protect babies younger than two months, Dyan Hes, MD, Medical Director of Gramercy Pediatrics, advises, “Use netting over a stroller, crib, or play gym.”) To find the best bug sprays for kids, we spoke to three pediatricians about which ingredients to look for and how to apply the products. We considered each bug spray for effectiveness, ease of application, and longevity, as well as scent and the feel of the product (two factors that make a big difference for kids). In addition to bug sprays, we considered lotions, wipes, and wearables to deter bugs. Based on our reviews, these are the best bug sprays for kids on the market today. Because of its non-greasy application and long-lasting effectiveness, OFF! Family Care Insect & Mosquito Repellent is our favorite bug spray for kids. What we appreciate most about this insect spray is how it applies. Rather than leaving greasy residue or film on the skin, the spray goes on dry like a powder and leaves the skin feeling soft. While it’s not unscented, users report that this spray has a lighter and fresher scent than most insect repellents (a huge plus for those sensitive little noses). The spray is formulated with 15% DEET for several hours of protection. The slim, lightweight spray can takes up minimal space and is easy to carry for daily use or when traveling. Active Ingredient: 15 percent DEET | Application Type: Spray | Bug Protection Type: Mosquitoes, biting flies, gnats, ticks, chiggers, and fleas | Price at time of publication: $14 Active Ingredient: 30 percent Lemon eucalyptus oil | Application Type: Spray | Bug Protection Type: Mosquitoes | Price at time of publication: $11 Expert Notes: “Chemical products with DEET provide the best protection against insect bites, while permethrin is most effective against ticks,“–Dr. Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, author of The Working Mom Blueprint and founder of www.modernmommydoc.com. Active Ingredient: 25 percent DEET | Application Type: Spray | Bug Protection Type: Mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, gnats, and flies | Price at time of publication: $13 Active Ingredient: 7.15 percent DEET | Application Type: Wipe | Bug Protection Type: Mosquitoes | Price at time of publication: $7 Active Ingredient: 7 percent DEET | Application Type: Spray | Bug Protection Type: Mosquitoes that may carry Zika, Dengue, or West Nile viruses, ticks, biting flies, gnats, no-see-ums, and chiggers | Price at time of publication: $12 Active Ingredient: Lemongrass, citronella, and rosemary oils | Application Type: Spray | Bug Protection Type: Mosquitoes | Price at time of publication: $21 Expert Notes: “Use netting over a stroller, crib, or play gym to protect the youngest babies from mosquitoes,”–Dr. Dyan Hes, MD, Medical Director of Gramercy Pediatrics. Active Ingredient: Geraniol oil, citronella oil, and lemongrass oil | Application Type: Wearable | Bug Protection Type: Mosquitoes | Price at time of publication: $10 Expert Notes: “Do not apply repellent directly to a child’s face. Rub it on your hands and then apply to the face, avoiding the eyes, nose, and mouth,”–Dr. Hes. Active Ingredient: Citronella oil, lemongrass oil, peppermint oil, cedarwood oil, and thyme oil | Application Type: Spray | Bug Protection Type: Mosquitoes | Price at time of publication: $8 Expert Notes: “Parents should avoid products that combine DEET and sunscreen because applying the sunscreen multiple times may also mean applying too much of the insect repellent and because the DEET can make the sunscreen protective factor (SPF) less effective,"–Dr. Casares. Active Ingredient: Organic beeswax, lemongrass, extra virgin olive oil, and zinc oxide | Application Type: Lotion | Bug Protection Type: Mosquitoes | Price at time of publication: $40 Active Ingredient: Rosemary oil, citronella oil, geranium oil, cedarwood oil, peppermint oil, and lemongrass oil | Application Type: Spray | Bug Protection Type: Mosquitoes | Price at time of publication: $20 While this ingredient is very effective at preventing tick bites, “Permethrin is an insecticide and it should not be applied directly to the skin,” says Dr. Hes, “but it is very safe in treated clothing”. Understanding ingredients in bug sprays can be difficult, so here’s a breakdown of three different ingredients. DEET DEET is a chemical that’s been used as the most common ingredient in bug repellents for more than 50 years. There’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding DEET because it’s a chemical, but it’s actually very safe to use as long as you’re using it correctly.
You only need to apply it once during a single day unless you’re spending time in a heavily wooded area.There is a drawback, though—some people do experience skin reactions from DEET, especially if it’s sprayed too close to the eyes.
Natural There are many parents and caregivers who prefer to go the natural route when picking out bug spray for kids.
Natural ingredients, like citronella and lemon eucalyptus oil, are perfect for light protection against mosquitoes.If you plan on being in an area where mosquito- and tick-borne illnesses are present, though, you’ll want a stronger repellent.
Picaridin This pesticide repels insects, ticks, and chiggers, making them not want to bite.
Repellents with this ingredient can work as well as repellents containing DEET. While it is considered non-toxic to birds, it is moderately toxic to fish.
Effectiveness
You want to be sure that whatever bug spray you purchase for your family is actually effective at preventing bug bites. You can do this by doing your due diligence and reading user reviews. If you are going to be around a variety of bugs, like ticks and chiggers, DEET-based options are going to be the most effective. Dr. Casares notes these products “provide the best protection against insect bites.” This is especially important if you and your family will be outside for a long period of time.
Application
Bug sprays come in many different forms, like spray, lotion, wipes, and wearables, so it can be tough to decide which application method works best for you and your family. Spray: Typically coming in some type of a bottle, you simply spray the repellent on any areas with exposed skin, or clothing, too. This method is easy to use and typically does not have to be rubbed into the skin. Lotion: Similar to applying sunscreen and regular lotion, you rub the lotion into any areas of the body not covered by clothes. You can typically cover more areas of the body when applying via a lotion method. Wipes: Think of baby wipes, but in bug repellent form, as all you have to do is take a wipe and rub it along the areas with exposed skin. These are convenient since you can carry them in a bag or purse easily. Wearables: Bug repellents that are wearable come in the form of jewelry-like products, such as a bracelet, and are filled with more natural ingredients, like citronella. These are ideal for kids as they are more likely to forget to apply a bug spray or do so ineffectively. However, they are a less effective method of insect repellent.
Why Trust Verywell Family?
Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer and mom to a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old and she has personal experience in researching and purchasing children’s products. Key considerations she used when selecting these recommendations include expert advice, ingredients, and user reviews. For older kids, it’s safe to apply bug spray to exposed skin, however, “do not apply repellent directly to a child’s face,” explains Dr. Hes, “Rub it on your hands and then apply to the face, avoiding the eyes, nose, and mouth.”
