Mosquito Repellent Safe for Kids

This summer, the rainy weather has kept puddles full and low spots wet...breeding grounds for mosquitoes. They have been so thick we could hardly sit outside. I don't use commercial insect repellent sprays or lotions on my skin, so I thought the Mosquito Eliminator was an interesting little item. I found this product at WalMart for 97 cents. I decided to give it a try.

Made by Evergreen Research, the mosquito repellent disk is polyethylene impregnated with Philippine geraniol oil, Indonesian lemongrass oil, and citronella oil. As soon as the package is opened the repellent properties are activated. It has a pleasant lemony scent, not overpowering at all. I hung it outside on the deck on a small table.The open area we wanted to protect was approximately 20 feet by 20 feet with an occasional slight breeze. After an initial 5 to 10 minutes, there were no more mosquitoes in the vicinity.

The company claims that the repellent works for 220 hours once the sealed package is opened. I have had it in place for seven days now, with two heavy thundershowers, and the insect population has not returned to that area of the deck. We spent an evening at the table playing chess last weekend without even a gnat bothering us.

Evergreen Research also makes a smaller version of the disk called the "Bug Button" that clips to clothing, and a bracelet/wrist band version called the Super Band. The products are waterproof, and they retain their repellent properties even if they get wet. I plan on taking at least one of these the next time we go fishing.

The natural ingredients are non-toxic and safe to use around children and pets. Dogs and cats may not like the lemony scent, and they may shy away from it, but it is not dangerous to them.

After the scent has expired, simply recycle the polyethylene plastic.

Read more by this author here, including many organic gardening articles.

Sources:
Personal Experience
http://www.bugbutton.com/
http://www.ermproducts.com/