Top 3 Ways to Keep Mosquitoes Away from Your Kids This Summer

When summer comes around, it's time to start thinking about ways to protect your home and family from bugs, especially mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can bite and are known to carry diseases like West Nile virus, malaria and, even, encephalitis. As such, you'll want to look around your property to make sure you're doing everything you can do control mosquitoes in and around your home. For example, you'll want to get rid of cans, old tires, buckets, plastic pools and other containers that collect and hold water which can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. You'll also want to change the water in your bird bath every couple of days, and eliminate other sources of standing water where mosquitoes could live and breed.

Kids are especially vulnerable to mosquito bites during the summer months. They play outdoors and in places where mosquitoes abound. Kids can be unaware of the hazards that mosquito bites carry, so it's important for parents and other adults to step in and take charge of mosquito control during the hot, hazy summer months.

What can you do to keep your children from being mosquito magnets this summer? How can you stop mosquitos from biting your kids this year? Check out these Top 3 Ways to Keep Mosquitoes Away from Your Kids This Summer. How to keep summer fun and bugs away from you and your family.

Use Age-Appropriate Insect Repellent on Your Child. According to experts at the American Academy of Pediatrics and Environmental Protection Agency, you can use insect repellent on children 2 months of age and older. But, consult your health care professionals on which products are safe for your children. Don't over apply mosquito repellent, and be sure to keep the repellant away from your kids' hands, eyes and mouths. For older kids, Off's FamilyCare repellents provide just the right level of protection for spending shorter amounts of time outdoors. These products are specially formulated for you and members of your family. Cutter also gets high marks from consumer groups. I like products that don't contain deet, such as Quantum Health's Buzz Away insect repellent and Avon's Skin So Soft. Repel Lemon Eucalyptus is also an effective non-DEET mosquito repellent. If using Deet-based products, use sparingly on children. Steer clear of wristbands or spraying clothing, neither of which seems to make a difference. Whatever you opt to use on your children to keep mosquitoes away, make sure you bathe your child once indoors for the day to remove any insect repellent residue that still may be present on your child's skin. Older kids should take a shower after the day's outdoor activities.

Make Sure Your Kids Wear Loose, Protective Clothing. Your kids should wear long-sleeved, loose fitting clothing during the summer time, and avoid bright colors which seem to attract mosquitoes. Make sure your kids wear socks and sneakers in wooded areas. Kids should steer clear of high grass.

Bring Kids Indoors at Dusk. Kids should never play outdoors in the early dawn or dusk hours when mosquitoes are known to bite more often than not. If dining outdoors, you may want to burn citronella candles or take other mosquito control measures. Of course, the best place for kids after dusk? Inside the house or screened-in porch area.

RESOURCES

American Academy of Pediatrics
www.aap.org

Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov

The American Mosquito Control Association
www.mosquito.org

Mosquito Repellents: What Works
By Martin F. Downs for WebMD