Wondering How to Keep Mosquitoes Away from Babies?
Mosquitoes are a nuisance when they’re buzzing around when you’re outdoors. However, if you’re a new parent, mosquito bites are likely top of mind when you’re spending time outside. Knowing how to protect babies from mosquitoes can provide you with peace of mind and help your baby enjoy a bug-bite-free experience in the great outdoors.
While babies, especially newborns, shouldn’t be exposed to the same repellents often used by adults to fend off pests, there are steps you can take to protect your baby.
Don’t let a fear of mosquitoes prevent you and your baby from enjoying warm summer days—use these six tips for how to keep mosquitoes away from babies:
1. Clothe the Baby from Head-to-Toe
- Cover the baby with loose, lightweight clothing that leaves minimal skin exposed. Hats, shirts with long sleeves, pants, and socks are ideal.
- Tuck the pant leg into socks to prevent mosquitoes from finding their way to your baby’s skin.
- Avoid bright clothing and flowery prints, which can lead to unwanted attention from insects.
- Light and neutral colors like beige, olive, and khaki tend to be less visible to mosquitoes.
- Avoid tight clothing, which can be easier for a mosquito to penetrate with the sharp tip of its mouth.
2. Stay Inside at Dawn, Dusk, and Post-Rainfall
Mosquitoes are most active at dawn, dusk, and following rainy weather. If possible, keep your baby inside during these times of the day.
3. Only Use Baby-Safe Mosquito Repellents
Pediatricians do not recommend mosquito repellent be applied to newborns, but there are products available for children older than two months. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), using a repellent that contains 10% to 30% DEET—a liquid that prevents insects from landing on skin or clothing—effective. Ten percent DEET repellent gives your baby about two hours of protection, while 30% offers approximately five hours. Pediatricians recommend choosing the lowest concentration of DEET that will provide the necessary length of protection. When applying repellants containing DEET on infants, avoid cuts, scratches, and the area around the eyes and mouth.
For parents who prefer to avoid DEET altogether, there are natural repellent products on the market containing picaridin and essential oils like citronella and lemongrass. However, it is not recommended to use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) on children younger than three years old. Always read product label instructions and check the Environmental Protection Agency list of registered insect repellents before applying on your baby.
4. Protect Carriers and Strollers with a Net
A great way to keep mosquitoes from coming near your baby is to drape a fitted mesh net over the baby carrier, stroller, or car seat. Purchase netting that has small enough holes to block the mosquitoes from entering. Mesh netting is available at most home improvement and outdoor stores.
5. Avoid Using Scented Lotions, Soaps, and Perfumes
Fragranced products such as lotions, soaps, perfumes, hair sprays, and even scented laundry detergent can attract mosquitoes. Use fragrance-free products when you plan to spend time outside. Read labels to make sure products do not have fragrance added before applying them on the baby.
6. Stay Away from Popular Mosquito Hangouts
Where do mosquitoes congregate? That’s where you want to avoid! Stay away from these mosquito hot spots to prevent your little one from getting bit:
- Stagnant pools of water such as puddles, ponds, dog bowls, birdbaths, and water-filled gutters
- Garbage cans or tire swings
- Flowerbeds, gardens, shrubbery, and piles of leaves
- Orchards or single fruit trees
- Heavily wooded areas
How Worried Should You Be About Mosquito Bites on Babies?
While the thought of a mosquito bite on your sweet baby is enough to cause concern, in most cases, a mosquito bite is annoying but does not pose a serious health risk. According to the CDC, most kinds of mosquitoes are just a nuisance, but certain species can spread viruses that may cause disease, so it’s a good idea to take all steps necessary to keep mosquitoes away from babies. If your baby happens to get a bite, we have the tips to help you stop the itch fast.
Keep Mosquitoes Out of Your Yard This Season
One of the most important steps to keep these pesky pests away from your baby is to add an extra layer of defense against mosquitoes to your yard. Mosquito Joe provides professional barrier treatments custom-designed for optimal mosquito control on your property. Our team is dedicated to making your yard itch-free so you and your family can make memories, not swat away mosquitoes. Call us or contact us online to schedule our highly effective mosquito control solutions.
