My family and I live in a largely populated mosquito area and on top of that we are heading to my former state of MN for a week up North where mosquito's are even worse. My son is 15 months old and we are wanting a bug repellent that is organic/natural with no deet for both our son and my husband and I. Also, we would like an organic/natural sunblock as well. I know there are a ton of products out there but wondering if I can get some first hand advice on products that actually work from any of you other moms out there.
Hi! I live in mosquito infested MN and use 'Quit Buggin Me' by Jason. I purchased it at a health food store and it works beautifully!
I also like the Burt's Bees bug repellant - it DOES have a strong scent, but it's no unpleasant.
For sunscreen, I use an SPF 30 from Arbonne's baby line. I am very pleased with it!
I've tried a number of the non or less toxic repellents and found they don't really work. You could use the less toxic repellents on your skin, but put deet on your clothes (hats, etc.) This might at least help a little bit without needing to apply the deet directly.
I am from MN (lived here basically all of my life) and I would use something with DEET in it. The mosquitos are AWFUL right now - I mean BAD. The short term exposure to the DEET of one week is far less troubling than the effects of the multiple bites he will get. I realize that you are looking for something for the other times (just general use) when you are not visiting MN - I don't really have a good answer for you regarding that.
Seriously, bring the highest powered bug spray you can find - my son just came back from a trip up North and it is brutal with all the rain we have had recently. Nothing worse than an itchy baby on vacation :)
Good luck!
For mosquito repellent mix 4 drops of vanilla extract per ounce of water in a spray bottle and spray yourselves down. You won't be sticky at all, no chemicals and the bugs will avoid you like the plague. Another mom posted this repellent a couple of weeks ago and I have been using it every day since. It really works!
I LOVE Badger sunscreen (California Baby is also good, but pretty expensive). In the past, I have used "Liquid Net," which is a natural bug repellent, and I really like it. However, mosquitoes have not been bad in our area this year, and I couldn't tell you how effective it would be against an onslaught. Good luck!
My son is allergic to picaridin so we stick to DEET on clothes only. I've also found that the OFF Clip On! fan is EXCELLENT. No smell, no spray, easy to use, very economical.
For use in an area like your porch, citronella is great.
http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/medicine_cabinet/insect_re...
read this article.
Also, Lemon Eucalyptus Oil spray is the best natural repellent.
