Insect Repellant-recommendations from Experienced Moms

Hi Jami,

YOU don't want to use any kind of insect repellant with deet on children. It causes them to have seizers and can get really sick even may die.My mom sells Avon and I go along with her to the avon meetings so I learn all kinds of things about the products.Please feel free to email me about any of the avon products.

T.

Avon also sells an insect repellant/sunscreen that is
wonderful! I forget the name of it exactly, but it's in
a green bottle with orange lettering.

I can't remember what we used last year, but I do remember my dr. specifically telling us that the Avon skin so soft does not work and not to use it.

I have struggled with insect repellent for 3 summers because I don't want to get anything with deet, but the natural stuff I've tried doesn't really work.

It's great to hear the other responses as I search again this year, but I also want to put out this website: http://cosmeticsdatabase.com/splash.php?URI=%2Findex.php

You can see how cosmetics rate in their safety (sunscreen and insect repellent, too). I've found it really helpful in buying other stuff for my kids!

Wal mart sells something called "Organic bite blocker xtreme" it's in a purple bottle with the other bug sprays, it's an all natural DEET free spray that says right on the bottle that its safe on kids. It repels mosquitoes, ticks, gnats, fleas and blackflies. it's also sweatproof and waterproof and has 8 hour protection. it was really affordable too. It kinda smells like mint, but it works better than skin so soft.

I've heard that the chemicals in dryer sheets are toxic, too. Even our dryer repair guy said the fumes dryers let off out the outdoor vent are very bad for you when dryer sheets are used. If you're going to use the sheets for bug repellant or static control, etc., maybe just rub them on the clothing instead of the skin.

Hi Jami, I sell avon and have been using their insect repellant on my own kids for a few years. I would strongly reccomend that. It is deet free and works for 8 hours. and contains an spf of 30. I have a website to visit if you would like. For like $3 it can be shipped directly to your house. I can also send you a code for free shipping to waive the $3 fee. it is www.youravon.com/cdietrick
It also is relatively inexpensive right now they are basically 2 for the price of 1. Let me know if you would like the free shipping code. C.

Hi Jami,

Melaleuca has an alternative with NO DEET!

There is a recipe that we use from several of the products that actually make a wonderful repellent.

My family hasn't used repellent in almost 7 years!

We have an oil that mosquitos don't like. I put this oil in our Renew lotion, rub it on, and it is fabulous and safe!!!

If you want to learn more, feel free to e-mail me.

J.
____@____.com

http://www.soapourri.com/shop/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=...
This is a natural mosquito repellent from Soapourri that is essential oils in an aloe vera gel base. It works very well and doesn't need to be rinsed off like a DEET-based product.

I use Herbal Armor, purchased from Whole Foods or other health food stores. It is 100% natural and contains no DEET, but it works great. I love it and it smells good (not bug spray good, but it actually smells good).

As an Avon rep for many years, I can definitely recommend the Avon SSS Bug Guard lotion. It is for kids and comes in 2 types, one is called disappearing color so it is blue when you put it on your child and you know if you missed any spots, the other is the regular lotion with a gentle scent. They both repel mosquitoes, deer ticks, flies, gnats, etc. and they both have a sun protection factor (spf) of 30 so you are protected there as well as from insects. Also this doesn't need to be washed off at the end of the day and is of course deet free.. We also sell the aerosol spray and pump spray with excellent repellency as well as a spf. If you don't have an avon rep you can order directly from my web site youravon.com/sbradley pay for it online just like any other online ordering and it will come directly to your house from Avon.
Hope this helps you.

Here are the 2 that I use.

Natrapel plus insect repellent (is is a lean lime colored spray bottle and contains no deet, good for @ 4hrs)

Cutter All Family Mosquito Wipes (I like that I can wipe it on, making sure I get good coverage, there is 7.15% deet)

I found both at Walmart so you should be able to find them just about anywhere. It is a bit pricey for my taste but I think it is on sale right now (still almost double what you pay for the above) but others really seem to like it so might be worth the extra cost.

Hi Jami. If you buy the skin so soft make sure you get the Bug guard version. The regular stuff does not work.The one with the sunscreen worked well for my 2 yr old. Good Luck...

L.

Arbonne's aromatherapy rejuvenating mist (Awaken scent) is a pure, safe, and beneficial alternative.

www.arbonne.com

Let me know if you have any more questions.

M.

There is something in Arbonnne's Awaken aromatherapy scent that repels bugs. Since all of their products are herbally and botanically based, you don't have to worry that you are putting chemicals on your family. We used it all last summer (mom with 4 kids) and it works GREAT!!!

I've always used Burts Bees on my kids- it's 100% natural and works well :)

I just asked my Sons Dr about that today & he said 20% deet ONLY, need at least that much to repel, but not more than or it can be poisinus. I have not looked at brands or anything yet, but that is the information he gave me. Also, just an FYI at least a 45-50 SPF was recommended.

what i used last year was bull frog. if i remember correctly it has no deet in it. it comes as a pump spray so youll have to put it in your hands and rub it on. otherwise skin so soft will work and it dont stink like most insect repellent.

I use a combination of products I mix together that does not contain deet that I have found to work the past few years. More information can be found on my website about harmful products in our home. I would be glad to share more. http://M..kidsneedus.com/

Skin-So-Soft is great. Avon also has repellent pacifically for children and it has a sunscreen in it. Check with your local Avon rep or I can help you.

I shop with Melaleuca, the wellness company. Their products can be mixed together and create wonderful repellants that are safe for our little ones and our environment.

RM Barry publishes a book called "The Welless Guide" and it has a problem/issue index that you can look up practically anything. That is where I get my recipes for repellants (and baby wipes!!) They are wonderful products.

I don't distribute products, but I do educate others on the company and the product lines (400 products) and help them set up an account. I've tried many companies before, but this is the best I have found. 60 day money back on any product and $100 in free products just to test drive shopping with them. Save money too because all is at wholesale. Imagine paying $1.20 for bathroom cleaner that is safe and works better than anything chemically caustic? See for yourself risk free.

____@____.com

So glad that other moms are looking for safer alternatives!

Repeated studies over many years have shown that DEET is safe and effective. No other alternative has ever been shown to be effective. Please don't put your kids at risk because of an on-going misconception about DEET.

Buying the family labeled bug spray at the store like target works much better than Avons version.

nothing will work as well when it's natural. but how natural do you want? i don't want any DEET (unless we're camping in the woods, maybe). i'm planning on getting buzz away, i think it is.

FYI, dryer sheets are pretty toxic, i think.

If you live in an area where west nile virus is prevalent, Avon SOS will not be sufficient to protect your child. There is another type of insect repellent available commercially that will protect your child. Cutter and Off make a repellent with Picaridin, not DEET. It doesn't have a strong smell and you child and yourself will be protected. I was told this by specialist who knows about West Nile Virus. It is what I use on my twins

I have attached a link about bug sprays from the American Academy of Pediatrics and recommendations. http://www.aap.org/publiced/BR_Repellents.htm I think the important thing to remember is that bug sprays are meant to protect people (kids and adults) from such diseases as West Nile, etc. so obviously you want one that is safe for your kids but also effective or why bother? The recommendations state no added benefit to DEET higher than 30% and insect repellant not to be used on children younger than 2 months. I hope this helps. Thank you.

The method I always used was a Bounce Fabric sheet and rubbed it all over them. It worked and they were never bitten!!

This product claims to keep most bad summer bugs away, but it doesn't have DEET which is bad for kids.
http://www.bugmace.com/

My husband swears by Avon's Skin So Soft. I like it too, but I'm also just as happy with Off.

get a bottle of Listerine and a spray bottle and see how it works. Spray area around if you can instead of on your kids.