Bug Spray for Camping?

We grow citronella in the yard. When mosquitos are bothering us we pluck some leaves and rub them all over us. Smells great and is safe for babies!

I have friends that used dry sheets last year and were never bitten. They tied one around the belt loop of their jeans. Good Luck.

Burt's Bee has a natural lemon scent bug repelent in a small squirt can. It worked great for me and the kids and was safe! Also get the candles.

There is a book entitled "Bugs Off" which has some great ideas about keeping mosquitoes away. I guess I haven't unpacked my book yet so I can't give you the full story. 1 suggestion was a citrus spray which can be used on you and is to be sprayed all over your camp site. They hate citrus. The other suggestion was eating lots of garlic starting 3 days before going camping. Garlic is also excellent for colds. If you put the head of garlic in the microwave (or oven with oil), the garlic will fall out of the shell easily and is much sweeter, Spread on bread or eat whole. Kids have been known to love this.

Hope this helps a bit.

J

Hi, You have a lot of good suggestions already, but I just wanted to add 1 more. Tying a bounce sheet to belt loops keeps bugs away I am alergic to bugbites I swell more than the average person so I keep bounce sheets on my belt loop during camping trips and the summer. I used to put them on the door of our tent, on the ends of the picknic tables, and on the backs of our camp chairs. I would buy 1 box per trip unless it was planned to be a longer trip like 2 weeks or the like.
What ever you decide to go with, I wish you happy camping and fun memories.
A.

OFF for the Family works well. It has DEET, but in smaller amounts. I've used it on my children who are the same age. I spray some on my hands and rub it on the 18 month old's legs, feet and hands. I also rub in on the clothes and that seems to work well.

I've used the Burt's Bees repellent, and it works okay. I didn't get bitten NEARLY as much as I normally would, but it didn't keep them all away like OFF does. I always get eaten alive!

Tea tree oil will keep the bugs away and will help ‘treat’ any existing bug bites. My favorite bug spray is called, Herbal Armor. It works so good at keeping the bugs away and there is no DEET or chemicals…it’s all natural oils that actually smell good too! This stuff works camping, by the lake, at the cabin…EVERYWHERE! You can find it at Whole Foods or other natural co-ops.

I love seeing posts like this! Reminds me that spring is on the way!

Here's what I found from the CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/insect_repell...

Have fun!

Great question...and timely too! I will tell you THE ONLY thing we use. ORANGES. We eat oranges for/with breakfast and lunch we grind the rind into pancakes or french toast etc. REAL ORANGES - make orange juice and anything else you want with the oranges and most importantly the RIND. Citrus is the BEST REPELLENT on the planet, it's natural, good for you AND won't hurt the baby.

PLEASE WASH the rind well before consuming it.

B.
Family Success Coach

Hi. Last summer we went to Washington state and the mosquitoes were terrible!! We used OFF! Deep Woods and were sooo glad we did. My son was a little over a year, and it worked on him as well as the rest of the family. We sprayed it on our hands then rubbed it on him. He didn't have 1 bite the whole 4 days we were there. My hubby which must be very tasty to them had only 2 bites and the girls and I didn't have any either. I hope this helps!

Happy Camping!

We started using the non-deet geranium oil or lemon eucalyptus based sprays and wrist/ankle coil bracelets. Several different brands make them and they have been quite effective. You can usually pick them up at the drug stores or Walmart/Target type stores. They are also non-toxic in the event the the baby decides to "taste" a coil before you realize it....we always put them on the ankles or sometimes pin them on the back of the shirt depending on what activity we're doing. Also, ThermaCell makes a unit that protects w/i a large radius using a butane power system.....we use one for the general campsite area when we are going to be eating or just hanging out as well as on our porches during the summer. OFF, Cutter, and the other brands have come out with similar products over the past couple of years but we think the ThermaCell works the best.....I think they were originally designed with hunting and camping in mind. They are pretty expensive but you can find better deals on eBay than in the stores unless you happen upon a clearance sale. Even if you end up paying full price for them though, we think they're well worth it. My little ones are in the "scratch them 'til they bleed" category when it comes to the bites so anything to prevent that is worth it! I'm pretty sure no matter what product you use, the label will advise against using on children under the age of 3 but as long as you are a responsible parent, they can be used safely....we grew up being plastered with OFF with Lord knows how much Deet and miraculously survived without permanent brain damage.....so far......I think.......some days I do wonder though, lol! I use what the kids use now and my husband is one of the lucky ones and I guess his blood is just to bitter for the bugs to want any!??? I never understood how some people are like that! Well, hope this helps.....have fun!!

Something that smells good and has worked for our family for years (I remember using it as a kid) is Avon Skin So Soft oil. the pink one has a better scent but both (pink and blue) work. I know the Deet is important but not sure how safe it is on little ones. Hope it helps. Talk with your doc. Have fun camping!

Badger Anti-Bug Balm works great! It's a rolll on. We've used it many times for us and our 1 year old. It's all natural, which makes it even better! I always get eaten alive as well, but found this product to be very helpful. Have a great time camping!!

I know that DEET is not recommended for young children (but not sure of the age), so I would ask your pediatrician about the 18 mo old. They might tell you to use a non-DEET bug spray. Also, you should not use the combination bug sprays/sunscreens. Use two separate products. If you apply the combo as frequently as you should for good sunscreen, you are probably applying too much bug spray. Good luck and have fun camping!

we've always used OFF and never had a problem. I think Burt's Bees has an insect repellant, I've never used it but I have always liked Burt's Bees products.

Every 4th we use OFF citronella candles around us where we're doing our fireworks, and it works pretty well too.

We camp often. I really like the Off smooth and dry. It doesn't feel wet or sticky and it seems to keep the bugs off. Off also has a towelette (I think it's called Light and Free or something similar to that) which we have used for faces (avoid the mouth and eyes),around ears and necks (my son used to be uncooperative about getting his neck sprayed)

Hi M.,

Avon makes deet free protection called Bug Guard. It also comes in a lotion with SPF 30 and is gentle enough to be used on babies as young as 6 months. I happen to be an Avon Rep, but have many customers that call me specifically because their doctor has reccomended it. You can visit my website at www.youravon.com/autumnlugo and look for SSS Bug Guard. The one for kids is in a blue package, goes on blue and dries clear. There is also a lotion for adults that can also be used on kids just is a regular lotion with a fresh scent. Youl will also see sprays available as well. If you have any questions please let me know or if you order through the site you can use code REPFS for free shipping. Thanks!
A.

Take lots of vitamin B12 and you should be much less attractive to the bugs (along with plenty of other benefits).

Avon Bug Guard for children and adults! They have wipes, so no aerosol spray and they contain sunscreen. Works great. We go every year.
Have fun.
~L.

We buy Bullfrog. They make one that is bug spray and sunscreen in one.

M~

What a fun adventure for your family! I remember camping with our kiddos when they were so little, and it was simply wonderful.

Over the years, I have really struggled with insect repellants, especially since so many of them simply aren't safe for little ones. A couple of years ago, I started shopping with an online wholesale company called Melaleuca. They specialize in creating products that don't have any of those dangerous chemicals in them. They have quite a few options for bug repellents - one that even works in a rain forest!

These options would certainly be safe and work for both you and your precious babies.

If you would like to know more, feel free to email me at ____@____.com.

Happy Camping!
T.

Skin so soft original scent from Avon works wonders and your skin will feel fantastic afterwards! Bonus!!!