Insects Love Summer, Too
The warmth of the summer months is something that is almost universally enjoyed by humans. Children play outside more and families spend more time together in outside activities. Unfortunately, it is also the time when we see the most exposure to insects. This exposure can range from the mildly annoying to the truly painful, with lots of different levels of reactions in between.
Bites vs Stings
There are two categories of insects that bother humans – those that bite and those that sting.
Insects that bite: mosquitoes, ants, ticks, fleas, flies, chiggers
Insects that sting: bees, wasps, hornets
Insect stings tend to cause more significant localized reactions and pain, and are more likely to cause life-threatening allergic reactions.
Insect repellents work on insects that bite. They do not kill the insect, but rather repel them away from the skin.
Insect Repellents
Prevention of insect bites can be key to avoiding the side effects of the bites, such as itching and pain. More importantly, it can also prevent illnesses that are spread or caused by these bites. Lyme disease, West Nile, Malaria, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Zika are among many illnesses that are spread from insects to people. Additionally, skin infections and abscesses can develop as a secondary result of insect bites.
The use of insect repellents is important in prevention of insect bites, and there are few that have been proven safe and effective for use in children.
But it’s important to use them carefully and correctly.
- Read repellent labels and always be sure to follow all directions and precautions.
- Check labels to make sure repellents has been registered with the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA.
- Only use spray repellents, not aerosol pressurized sprays. Use sprays outside to avoid inhaling them.
- Apply the repellent to clothing or exposed skin only, but do not place on skin that is underneath clothing. Use just enough to cover exposed skin. Using more does not make repellents more effective.
- Do not use repellents on hands of younger children to avoid ingestion.
- Once you return indoors, be sure your child washes with soap and water to remove the repellent and wash any sprayed clothing before wearing again.
DEET
Many of the most common repellents contain DEET. The amount of DEET in products varies, and directly correlates to how long the product lasts. It is recommended to choose a product with the lowest amount of DEET and apply based on label recommendations for frequency.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that products for children should contain no more than 30 percent DEET. Apply sparing and only when absolutely necessary to infants and children under 2 years old, because their skin is more absorptive than adults.
Picaridin
An alternative to DEET repellents, Picaridin also works to prevent insect stings based on concentration. It was developed in the 1980’s and mimics a compound made in plants that produce black pepper.
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
Like the name implies, this is a product that comes from the lemon eucalyptus tree or may be chemically made in a laboratory. This product is distinct from a lemon eucalyptus essential oil and has been shown to be more effective in repelling insects.
Read labels carefully for these repellents and ensure the product you choose has been registered with the EPA. Do not use on children under 3 years old.
Natural repellents
These include ingredients such as citronella, peppermint, soybean oil, and geranium. These are considered safe but have not been proven to be effective in repelling insects. They may also cause skin or lung irritation. These can be used in environments where serious illnesses from insects (such as Lyme disease) are not prevalent, but it is recommended to use proven effective products such as those above in endemic areas.
Other methods of protection
While insect repellents are safe and effective in preventing insect bites, they are not always the best or only choice of protection.
- Avoid areas of standing water.
- Avoid dressing your child in clothing with bright colors or flowers, as these attract insects
- In environments with a higher exposure risk, DO dress your child in long sleeves and pants, closed toed shoes with socks.
- Avoid use of perfumes or scented lotions
- Use mosquito netting over beds or strollers in at-risk areas
- Use screens in windows and doors
- Check your child’s skin closely for ticks after potential exposures in high-risk environments.
Final thoughts
Summertime is meant to be spent outside. Don’t let let the inconvenience and potential for infection curb your enthusiasm for hiking, biking, spending time on the water, or whatever your favorite summer activity may be. Just like you take the time to put sunscreen on your children to protect from UV rays, take the time to apply the insect repellents to protect from insect bites. This is particularly important if you live in high-risk areas for certain infections, such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
Follow the instructions for application on the bottle labels, protect yourself and your children, and go (safely) enjoy the outdoors!
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