Alternative to DEET for infant?

Question

I have been making my own insect repellent and although it works ok, it lasts only about 30 minutes. I don't want to put DEET on my baby (or older children). Right now I am using lemon balm and lavender essential oils in a base of grapeseed oil (about 7-10 drops of each EO). Lemon balm is citronella, by the way.
Does anyone have a better recipe or even a store bought product that is DEET free?

Answer 1

The best thing you can use for a baby is garlic. It sounds odd, but it really works. Just take a pinch of powdered garlic between thumb and first finger, swish the fingers quickly through running water, and make a thick paste. Rub a bit onto baby's forehead (if she/he is bitten up already, put it on the bites--garlic helps heal, as well). It only smells until it dries--a few minutes. But it keeps mosquitoes (and other bugs, too) away for 48 hours.

I had one child who was very popular with mosquitoes, and I used to put it on him every night at bedtime. If I missed one night, he'd be fine, but if I forgot twice in a row, he'd be all bitten up again!! And I've told lots of friends and strangers, and they're always amazed at how well it works. It's even used in commercial products--go into the gardening section of a large store and read the packages of sprays to keep mosquitoes off your lawn.

Answer 2

Talk to a naturopath or other qualified, trained herbal specialist about how to use essential oils as bug repellants. Eucalyptus, lavender, lemongrass, pennyroyal, and hairy basil are amongst the additional oils, along with extracts of vanilla bean, that such a professional might consider and teach you to appropriately make and use.

Bug Off, Naturally
Even in the Amazon, where mosquitoes can be unbearable, it’s best to use natural bug deterrents. “We can’t use DEET because it’s so toxic to the plants and wildlife,” says Jon Fiume, who regularly leads expeditions to the rain forest. “But the jungle grows some awfully big mosquitoes.” To fight back, Fiume and his team rely on Buzz Away, by Quantum. Another DEET-free product is Herbal Armor, by All Terrain. Both use ingredients such as oils of citronella, cedarwood, and eucalyptus. “Mosquitoes may land on you,” says Fiume, “but then they fly away without biting.”

Other swat tactics:
Make yourself repellent. Take 100 mg of B-1 daily, says Donald Yance, an herbalist in Ashland, Oregon. On days you plan to be in heavily infested areas, add 2 to 3 garlic capsules (undeodorized) every 4 hours.

Create bug-free zones. Strategically arrayed bouquets of pennyroyal can ward off mosquitoes. So can a squirt of garlic-heavy Mosquito Barrier, by Garlic Research Labs.

Answer 3

Off Family, it is deet free and works very well and lasts. I use it with my own daughter who is 3 months.

Answer 4

i does no longer placed insect repellent on a infant that youthful. They make clip on repellent so which you would be able to the two clip it to you and carry your infant or clip it on your infant's clothing or stroller. placed long pants, long sleeves, socks on your infant so the floor isn't uncovered. babies have very gentle epidermis and there are stable chemical components in malicious program repellents (sprays, wipes, etc.) in case you need to placed some thing on him attempt an all organic product which includes Burt's Bees.

Answer 5

I use Off Power Pad lantern, it works wonderful, and you don't use it on infants, it does not have deet, and it works for spaces 15'x15'. you can use it almost anywhere(not inside though). I bought mine at wal-mart...it's the only thing I will ever use.

Answer 6

Avon skin so soft is deet free and works great the pump spray is great and had sunscreen in it and smells good too...

Answer 7

Mint oil is said to help as well. We have planted mint in our back yard so that when we walk across it it releases the scent, this has helped with ants as well!