Preventing Bug Bites at School

Research Vinegar. My MIL went to Alaska for a vacation one time. She was told that the mosquito's were the size of humming birds...

She started a few weeks before the trip taking Vinegar pills or something like that. When she got to Alaska she would get covered with bugs, she'd wipe down her arm and leave a black swath. She didn't have a single bite on her body anywhere.

They didn't like her blood.

I don't know how safe this would be for a little guy and HOW MUCH would be right for him so do research the idea.

What kind of bug bites? Mosquitos? Fleas? What bit him?

I don't know if it's natural, but my parents used to slather us in Avon "Skin so Soft" before we'd go outside when we went camping. That repelled the bugs, and didn't have the gross "Off" smell. You could put it on him before school and he shouldn't need to re-apply.

without knowing the circumstances it's hard to say. he might just have been unlucky enough to walk into a mosquito cloud. or the school might be infested with something.
you could put badger balm or burt's bees or something on him every day, but frankly i would be more concerned about slathering my kid in gunk, even all natural gunk, without a pressing need.
khairete
S.

It depends on what's biting him, what the risks are, and whether the prevention is worse that the bite. If they are mosquitos and there is a huge problem with EEE or West Nile, then you have to take precautions. But kids who touch their skin and then eat a snack are ingesting whatever you used. However, if the classroom rug has bed bugs then the school has to take action. But if there are bugs outside during recess, that's part of nature unless your child ran into a nest of spiders or something. It's more important that your child run around at recess than that he try to stay indoors and hope (fruitlessly) that there is never an insect. I think you can call the school nurse and ask if others are reporting a problem that is some sort of infestation. But some people just attract more bug bites from certain critters. It's part of being out in the world and you'll have to get used to it if your child is going to school! If he's not miserably itchy and there's no public health threat, ignore it.

Skin-So-Soft works well for most bugs. I use 50/50 bath oil and water - put it in a spray bottle, spray it on and spread it around with my hands.

I don't know that it works on ticks, so that's something to be aware of.

Insect spray is not where I would be too concerned with "natural." The deet in Off and Cutter is effective against ticks - not sure that anything else really is.

I would just buy Off or Cutter.

If it is mosquito bites you could try the insect repellant bands. I saw two different kinds this week (sorry I didn't pay attention to brands). Both are plastic bracelets that are soaked with repellant. I think both contained citronella and other "natural" repellents. One said it repelled bugs for 6-8 hours. Another said the repellant would last for up to 3 years if stored properly. One could be worn around the wrist or ankle. I think both were I the $5 range. I've never tried them so don't know how effective they are.

You could also check with the school nurse about sending insect repellant to school. You would probably need to fill out a consent form and he would need to go to the nurse to have it applied.

I know some people think mosquito bites are nothing to worry about. But there are more and more diseases coming from mosquitoes. West Nile is the most common. My brother and nephew just got over chikungunya which is similar to dengue fever. It is mainly found in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Atlantic and Pacific. But it has also been found in the Caribbean and now they are starting to see it here in the US--30 different states including Florida, California, Texas, DC, North Carolina, and even Minnesota. Travelers to the Caribbean are bringing it home with them.

It would help us, to help you if we knew what kind of bites.

My daughter came home yesterday from my moms with 3 mosquito bites. I need to give my mom the bug spray when she has her, because I dont want her bit up.

If you do not know what kind of bites, call the school and see if other kids or teacher have been bit as well.

Mosquitos supposedly do not like the smell of dryer sheets, You can tuck one in her pocket?

Good luck.