https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 12 Nov 2026 05:08:25 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bug-sprayinsect-repellant#post-1658544 Mon, 26 May 2014 13:33:26 +0000 looch 1658544@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: yes! I saw your thread and headed over. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bug-sprayinsect-repellant#post-1658541 Mon, 26 May 2014 13:29:34 +0000 winniebee 1658541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: check out lucies list blog. She breaks it down. While all natural may be better in some ways, they are simply not as effective. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bug-sprayinsect-repellant#post-1658538 Mon, 26 May 2014 13:28:15 +0000 looch 1658538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lilyofthewest: thanks for weighing in, that's a new option I hadn't heard of before. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bug-sprayinsect-repellant#post-1650329 Wed, 21 May 2014 20:01:09 +0000 regberadaisy 1650329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: <a href="http://www.off.com/en-US/Products/Pages/off-clip-on.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://www.off.com/en-US/Products/Pages/off-clip-on.aspx</a><br /> Yes! It's odorless. I hate spraying bug spray and wouldn't want to spray it on LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bug-sprayinsect-repellant#post-1650247 Wed, 21 May 2014 19:05:40 +0000 lilyofthewest 1650247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Silva: Hmm, I think frequency of application depends on the exact formulation and concentration of the repellent?</p> <p>Both my Natrapel &amp; BullFrog (20% picaradin) sprays say every 8 hours.</p> <p>My OFF Family (7% DEET) says every 4 hours</p> <p>My SkeeterStop! (100% DEET) says every 10 hours</p> <p>I also have 3 different essential oil repellents -- each of which say every 20-30 minutes as needed. </p> <p>Erm. You may be getting the impression that I am very tasty to bugs. This is true. Very true. I need my arsenal. </p> <p>Oh! The other thing I'm really a fan of for extended outdoors time is permethrin infused clothing (like this: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zorrel-Insect-Shield-Apparel-Heather/dp/B002FU6QV0/)" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Zorrel-Insect-Shield-Apparel-Heather/dp/B002FU6QV0/)</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bug-sprayinsect-repellant#post-1650226 Wed, 21 May 2014 18:48:52 +0000 Silva 1650226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lilyofthewest: goo d point, picaradin is a good option, we have some bug spray by skin so soft that has that as the active ingredient. It does have to be applied more frequently (hourly for ticks, I believe) than DEET but it is less likely to irritate skin. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bug-sprayinsect-repellant#post-1650222 Wed, 21 May 2014 18:46:50 +0000 lilyofthewest 1650222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The geraniol-based ones *can* work comparably to DEET, but, they have to be reapplied really, really frequently to be on par. When I use natural bug repellents I'm always reminded that I'm overdue for re-applying by the swarm of mosquitos surrounding me. </p> <p>My new favorite bug stuff is actually neither -- it contains a different repellent called Picaradin. In the US, the common brands for it are Natrapel and BullFrog Bug &amp; Sun Mosquito Coast. It works really well and is long lasting. </p> <p>It has my loyalty over DEET because it doesn't smell gross and it doesn't melt plastic. After overspray with a DEET product messed up a pair of Rx glasses for me, I've been really hesitant to use it for fear of a similar mishap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bug-sprayinsect-repellant#post-1650197 Wed, 21 May 2014 18:33:03 +0000 Bao 1650197@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: so I imagine then you don't have to smell like bug spray? I hate that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bug-sprayinsect-repellant#post-1650176 Wed, 21 May 2014 18:20:22 +0000 looch 1650176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone!</p> <p>I am still unsure what to do, I have a call into the ped to see her stance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bug-sprayinsect-repellant#post-1650129 Wed, 21 May 2014 17:42:23 +0000 regberadaisy 1650129@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: OFF! Sells a clip on. DH uses it when he goes goes archery in the woods during mosquito season. It works very well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bug-sprayinsect-repellant#post-1650125 Wed, 21 May 2014 17:40:56 +0000 T-Mom 1650125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We use the more "natural" varieties for playground time or regular outdoor play, but if they were going on a hike in the woods, I would probably use a DEET variety. Especially for pre-school and up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bug-sprayinsect-repellant#post-1649739 Wed, 21 May 2014 14:54:22 +0000 jetsa 1649739@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We use California Baby as well, we camp every weekend and its been working well so far. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bug-sprayinsect-repellant#post-1649737 Wed, 21 May 2014 14:54:11 +0000 Cole 1649737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like the California baby and the Burt's bees natural ones. If he comes home with bites or ticks I would reevaluate and consider the deet stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bug-sprayinsect-repellant#post-1649606 Wed, 21 May 2014 14:12:44 +0000 Silva 1649606@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband and I tend to be pretty natural with these kind of things. But there were some deaths in our state last summer from mosquito transmitted viruses, including one in the area where our daughter will be going to childcare. He is pretty pro DEET at this point. He says its really, really safe in the doses used on skin. I need to do more research before I decide, and plan to ask her Doc soon, too</p> <p>ETA:</p> <p>This is helpful: <a href="http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/chemicals/deet.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/chemicals/deet.htm</a></p> <p>for what its worth, my husband (sorry to reference him all the time- he just has to study this for work and is up on latest research) says that the concern about DEET comes from environmental uses in huge doses and long term exposure, neither of which applies for short term, low dose use.<br /> I feel like its engrained in me to be scared of DEET, but research seems to indicate that its probably lower risk than mosquito transmitted diseases.</p> <p>My plan is to probably use natural stuff when I'm with her and can reapply frequently (in my experience you have to reapply like every hour or so for it to work), and send her with DEET to childcare because I can't really expect her care provider to reapply all the time (plus she's a big hippy, so she'll probably be freaked out by the stuff :)) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bug-sprayinsect-repellant#post-1649571 Wed, 21 May 2014 14:03:19 +0000 edelweiss 1649571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i have some leftover all natural bug repellent that i used on myself a while ago--i'm going to try that on LO first, but if it doesn't work i'll skip experimenting with other naturals and go to DEET. </p> <p>that being said, if i were in an area where deers were common and LO was going to be spending most of his days in grassy and woody areas, i'd say f* it and just use the DEET. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bug-sprayinsect-repellant#post-1649560 Wed, 21 May 2014 13:59:40 +0000 septca 1649560@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would go natural and be very thorough in your checks. I really like the California Baby bug spray. It works and it smells good. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bug-sprayinsect-repellant#post-1649549 Wed, 21 May 2014 13:57:45 +0000 looch 1649549@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son's going to be attending a nature camp in a few weeks (trail hiking, river exploring, animal care) and we live in an area where deer are common.</p> <p>Any suggestions on a bug repellant? I plan to check him for ticks regularly (we get deer in our front lawn) but I am wondering if I should go to the all natural (citronella and geranium oil) route or the chemical (DEET) route. </p>