If you spend time outside — which we all should do — you are likely to get bug bites.
Most of the time, bites are just a nuisance. But besides being painful or itchy, bug bites can lead to illnesses such as Lyme disease from ticks, Zika, Malaria, or West Nile from mosquitoes. That’s why preventing bites is a good idea for all of us, especially children.
Simple precautions will help.
Insect repellents are simple and effective, and most don’t involve chemicals. For example:
- Empty any standing water outside your home. That’s where mosquitoes breed.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants if you are going to be in areas with lots of biting insects. Treating clothes and shoes with 0.5% permethrin can be helpful.
- Be aware that mosquitoes are most likely to be out from dusk to dawn, and plan activities accordingly.
- To avoid tick bites, avoid wooded and brushy areas and keep to the center of paths when you hike. Be sure to do a tick check when you come home — not just of all the people in your group but also any pets or gear that came along. Showering soon after arriving home can help with tick checks and washing off unattached ticks.
Insect repellents can be very useful. Some are more effective than others, and some can have side effects, so it’s essential to do your homework. The Environmental Protection Agency has a great interactive tool to help you choose the best repellent for your situation. It’s beneficial for people who live in areas like Michigan with lots of ticks and disease-carrying mosquitoes.
DEET (N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is the most effective repellent. It works against mosquitoes and ticks and is the go-to repellent if you want or need to prevent bites.
The higher the concentration, the longer it lasts: 10% will give you about two hours of coverage, while 30% can protect you for about five hours.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends not using more than 30% on kids and not using any repellents on infants less than two months old.
The most common side effect is skin irritation, and if you ingest it (you never know with young children), it can lead to nausea and vomiting. Eye irritation is possible, so you should never spray any repellent directly to the face; instead, put it on your hands and then carefully apply it to the face. In rare cases, like one in every 100 million users, DEET can lead to brain problems such as seizures if used in high doses. This is an infrequent side effect and not something that should stop you from using it.
Here are some alternatives with minimal to no side effects:
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus, or PMD (the artificial option). This works nearly as well as DEET.
- Picaridin, which works better against mosquitoes than ticks
- 2-Undecanone
- IR-3535, the active ingredient in Avon products, although it is not very effective
- Citronella, although it is even less effective.
Whatever you use, follow label directions and be careful as you apply it to all exposed skin. It’s best to spray in an open area and on clothing too.
Pump bottles and wipes with insect repellent may help you apply products carefully. Try to choose the best product for your situation so you can use it just once; the EPA tool is excellent for that.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has more information about applying insect repellent to children and preventing mosquito bites and ticks.