Stagnant water can draw plenty of mosquitoes to the area, leaving parents scratching their head over which bug sprays to use.
Pediatrician David Hill said DEET is the best product to repel mosquitoes and ticks. DEET confuses insects and makes it difficult for them to find you. The concentration of DEET does not change how effective the product is, but it will effect how long the product will work.
“If you're only going to be outdoors for 5, 10, 20 minutes go for a low concentration like 7 percent or 12 percent. But, if you think you're going to be out all day, 30 percent is a concentration that's effective for hours and also safe for any child over the age of 2 months,” said Dr. Hill.
Dr hill also said it is important not to reapply bug spray. Using too much can be unhealthy, because the chemicals can be absorbed through the skin.
In addition to using DEET, avoid dressing your child in bright, flowery clothes or using scented products or perfumes. These things attract insects.
Deet
Ok.. I am going to go old school here....
Our family are avid outdoorsmen and women... As in generations... I have spent many an hour in the swamp and the woods.. Swamp....Now that is buggy.... Our family has always used 100% Deet... No side effects, no cancer... and especially.... No west nile, no lyme disease... Nothing...I am not saying Deet can't cause side effects....But in our fasmily and our friend's famalies... Nothing negative... and no bugs... 100% Deet.. It works regardless of the brand...