I'm sure you've experienced how unpleasant mosquito bites can be. The most harmless consequences of contact with these insects are swelling and redness, accompanied by unbearable itching. Even adults don't enjoy them. However, bites can be a problem for children: babies under one year old are often fussy and have trouble sleeping. Older children, by scratching the bites, can introduce an infection and worsen the situation. Today, there are many ways to protect children. If you take care in advance, such problems will not arise.
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How to protect your child from mosquitoes
The modern market offers a wide variety of products. Among them, there are several main types:
- fumigators;
- repellents (creams, aerosols);
- bracelets;
- ultrasonic repellers;
- folk remedies.
Let's take a closer look at which products are suitable for children.
Fumigators are mosquitoes' number one enemy.
Fumigators poison insects by evaporating toxic chemicals. They are designed to protect people within the device's range. There are two types: pyrotechnic and electric.
Pyrotechnic "burning" or "smoke" coils are impregnated with an insecticide—a nerve agent. They are attached to a special stand and ignited. As they burn, the poison evaporates, killing insects in the surrounding area. The smoke coil lasts from 7 to 9 hours.
All well-known brands (Raptor, Raid, Fumitox, Mosquitall) recommend using the products outdoors, since when smoldering they release a large amount of carcinogenic substances, which are harmful, first of all, to children under 12 years of age.
Electric fumigators are plates or liquids powered by electricity or batteries. They contain a mixture of toxic substances that activates when heated. Typically, they use pyrethroids, a natural insecticide found in the flowers of the perennial chamomile.
The concentration in the air will be lower than that of the coil. The plate or liquid is placed in an electric fumigator and plugged in for two hours or overnight, provided the windows are open. The duration of action of one plate is 8-10 hours, a bottle of liquid - 30-60 nights (8 hours each).
They are considered safe. However, please follow the manufacturers' recommendations:
- leave appliances no closer than one meter from the sleeping area;
- Do not leave the appliance plugged in indoors for longer than three hours;
- ventilate the room after use;
- People with allergies, pregnant and breastfeeding women should use the product with caution.
The modern market offers a variety of strips and liquids, both scented and unscented. These are most often designed to protect children over one year old—for example, the Mosquitall "Gentle Protection for Children" series. There are also products for younger children. The "Nekusayka" plates and liquids from Raptor and "Nezhenka" from Fumitox can be used from birth.
A smoke coil and electric fumigator destroy mosquitoes with toxic vapors.
How to become invisible to mosquitoes in a couple of seconds
Repellents are more convenient and effective for protecting children while out and about: various sprays, aerosols, creams, and foams. They can be applied to clothing or directly to the skin. They can be either repellent or masking.
Repellents have a pungent odor that deprives insects of their sense of smell. The purpose of masking agents is to make the scent of human skin unattractive to mosquitoes. It can be applied no more than 2-3 times a day, the action time is 2-3 hours.
Protection for children from three months
Almost all brands produce protective equipment for children.
Manufacturers recommend using the drugs at the following ages:
- Gardex Baby aerosol and spray, Mosquitall milk spray and cream “Gentle protection for children” - from one year;
- Baby Deta foam, cream and milk, Mosquitall “Gentle protection for children” milk - from one and a half to two years;
- Mosquitall spray "Gentle protection for children" - from three years old.
Photo gallery: aerosols, sprays, and creams suitable for babies
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- Mosquitall repellents will provide gentle protection for your baby.
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- Gardex products not only protect but also care for your skin.
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- Baby Deta products last for about two hours.
Exceptions include Moustidose baby mosquito repellent cream and Chicco Anti-Mosquito spray, which can be used from 3 months. Parents of children under 1 year of age are advised to contact manufacturers of specialized children's cosmetics.
Moustidose baby cream and Chicco Anti-Mosquito spray can be used from 3 months
By decorating myself, I drive away mosquitoes
The bracelet is a relatively new product based on citronella oil and other natural ingredients.
The active substance is available in the following types:
- cartridges - (Gardex Baby, Mosquitall "Gentle protection for children");
- capsules - (Bugstop);
- fabric impregnation - (Bugslock, Mothercare).
Incidentally, Gardex Baby stickers and clips for clothing work on the same principle. These products are recommended for children aged 2 and up. They are often sensitive to water and, in practice, have a very limited range. Many forums recommend wearing two bracelets at the same time: on the child’s hand and foot.
Last year we had a Mothercare bracelet—in the city, the mosquitoes didn't bite, so we used vanilla extract to keep them away. It didn't work in the woods or at our summer cottage. This year, we got a new bracelet from the same place—it smells different and doesn't work.
We took this type of Gardex, it worked well, my daughter was at camp for 2 weeks, and the mosquitoes didn’t bother her.
These bright and fashionable bracelets are popular with children and are easy to use, but they can be quite fussy. Once opened, they last for 150–270 hours when stored properly.
Photo gallery: the bracelet is an attractive accessory and excellent protection
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- The Bugslock mosquito bracelet should not be allowed to get wet.
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- Mosquitall is waterproof, so it will protect your child even in a body of water.
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- At night, you can put the bracelet near your bed; mosquitoes won't bite you.
We scare away insects with ultrasound
Ultrasonic devices are electronic devices that generate high-frequency sounds. They repel mosquitoes while being harmless to humans. They can be stationary or portable.
- Stationary ones operate from the mains and are designed to operate within a radius of 15 to 20 m2.
- Portable ones are battery-powered and come in the form of a keychain, flashlight, or watch. The range is 2–8 meters.
Since such devices do not emit toxic substances, their main advantage is considered to be safety, including for children. However, judging by the reviews, the effectiveness of the devices against mosquitoes is low.
This is a completely useless and expensive device! I definitely wouldn't have bought it myself without reading the reviews first. Mosquitoes don't react to it at all. We tried hanging it right next to the bed, but it didn't help. The mosquitoes kept flying around the child. I don't recommend buying it. It's a waste of money.
I once wanted to start a business—buying ultrasonic mosquito repellents wholesale from China and selling them here in the country. But… I searched the internet, read reviews from "seasoned" hunters and fishermen, and they all claimed that these repellents were rubbish (either they were ineffective, or the batteries died quickly).
Stationary and portable devices are considered the safest means of protection against mosquitoes.
How to protect yourself with folk remedies
Concerned about their children's safety, mothers often turn to tried-and-true folk remedies. Even such a modern accessory as a mosquito net for a stroller or crib has its origins in the gauze canopy. Our grandmothers knew well that mosquitoes dislike the scents of spices like vanilla and cloves.
You can easily find recipes online for vanilla cream or clove water to apply to your skin before going for a walk. If you don't want to bother with preparation, you can buy essential oils of anise, wormwood, the aforementioned clove and citronella, peppermint, geranium, lavender, and citrus at any pharmacy—these are the most effective against mosquitoes.
Directions for use
Apply essential oils only to clothing and stroller, in a ratio of 1 drop per 10 ml of cream.
We recommend that you exercise caution when using essential oils. Do not use undiluted.
To protect your home, you can use aroma lamps and fresh and dried bouquets of plants.
When relaxing outdoors, essential oil can be dropped directly into the fire.
Photo Gallery: Safe Mosquito Protection for Kids
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- Apply essential oils to your skin or use indoors.
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- Mosquitoes can't stand the smoke from a fire.
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- A lightweight cover prevents annoying insects from getting close to your baby.
In the summer of 2016, Komsomolskaya Pravda journalist Anastasia Pigulina described her experience fighting mosquitoes using folk remedies in her "Tested and Tried" column. Most of these were criticized as useless. Only essential oils received excellent marks.
Aromatherapy forums strongly recommend using essential oils to repel mosquitoes. I chose anise oil. We use regular baby cream as a base and add a couple of drops of essential oil. Don't just apply the oil—it can cause serious burns.
The result. In a park teeming with insects, I witnessed magic: mosquitoes surrounded me in a thick curtain, but didn't come any closer. A few stray mosquitoes tried to "ground themselves," but even they turned their noses up at me. Victory!
Please remember that these products have strong fragrances. Be careful with the amount of product you use; don't overdo it. A concentrated scent can negatively affect the nervous system, cause headaches, or trigger an allergic reaction.
When choosing a protective product for your child, consider safety and effectiveness. For infants, it's best to choose a mosquito net or use natural remedies and electric fumigators sparingly. The sheets or liquid should be labeled "0+." Keep in mind the child's body's reaction to chemical exposure.
