How To Keep Your Kids Safe from Mosquito Bites!
With the onset of warmer weather, it is officially the mosquito season in the U.S.A. When most of us are busy planning trips to the parks, organizing barbeque parties, and hiking, we give little thought to the devil dressed as a mosquito.
Mosquitoes are those pesky creatures we all hate. And as much as we try, they come flying on to us and bite us all red and pink. Although tiny, these nasty bloodsucking beasts can cause fever, diarrhea, dengue, and even death.
But, if these bugs bug us, we can still manage to use some mosquito control techniques and save ourselves from their bites. Now, imagine your newborn or young child struggling to dodge the dreadful mosquito bites!
As a concerned parent, we are always worried about keeping our kids away from these annoyingly dangerous insects. Especially when it comes to using chemical infused bug repellents, moms are always divided between whether to use them on their kids or not.
As per the American Academy of Pediatrics, one should not use bug repellents on their young kids. Even if the label says it is DEET free, keep it away from your kids as they are not safe for application on newborns and kids under 2 months.
So, what are some of the best ways to keep mosquitoes at bay while also ensuring our kids are safe from chemicals?
Prevention is always better than cure. And this adage couldn’t be truer in this situation. When it comes to mosquito control, one should –
#1 Throw away any standing water
Mosquitoes need water to breed and grow. It takes around seven to ten days for mosquito larvae to turn into a full-grown bloodthirsty mosquito. The areas that are likely to collect water makes for a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Even that flowerpot lying on the corner making for a pretty tabletop could actually be harboring lots and lots of mosquito larvae.
The first thing you must do is eliminate all those things where water could easily get lodged. Old tires, buckets, folded pipes, birdbaths, or carelessly dumped cups could easily collect water and become a favorable home for mosquitoes.
#2 Cover the windows with screens
Windows, doors, or even the tiniest hole can become a gateway for mosquitoes to enter our homes. To ensure mosquitoes do not enter our houses, put screens on the windows, doors, and openings. You can also use a mosquito net over the bed or crib to keep your child safe from mosquito bites.
#3 Dress your child well
One of the best ways to protect your child from nasty mosquito bites is to minimize skin exposure. Dark colors tend to attract bugs and mosquitoes, so taking your child for a stroll, put on light-colored clothes on your child. It is important to note that mosquitoes can easily bite through thin and skin fitted clothes. Thus, it would help if you chose thick and loose-fitted clothes for your kids.
#4 Keep your kids indoors during dusk and dawn
Although mosquitoes bite throughout the day, their prime feeding time is from the evening will dawn. It is advisable to avoid taking your child outside during this time. However, if need be, take appropriate precautions to keep the mosquitoes away.
#5 Choose the right mosquito repellent
Although chemical repellents shouldn’t be used on kids, you can use it on your child if they are older than 2 months. The effect of chemical repellent stays for a longer duration, making it a practical choice for keeping mosquitoes at bay. However, when making a purchase, read the label carefully, and check all the repellent ingredients.
#6 Try natural repellents
If you choose to stay away from chemical infused repellents, don’t worry. There are plenty of repellents in the market that are all-natural and chemical-free. The oil from lemon eucalyptus is one such effective repellent you could use to wade off the mosquitoes. Besides this, other repellents for skin application are as effective as any other chemical repellents.
However, such repellents’ effect lasts for one or two hours only, and they should not be used as an overnight solution.
When using natural repellents, keep these things in mind –
- If you are taking your child outdoors, apply sunscreen before applying the repellent.
- You can also dab the oil under your child’s ears and on writs.
# 7 Essential oils
Moms generally don’t prefer applying anything on their kid’s skin. No matter how kids friendly a product is marked, mothers would always be skeptical about using it on their child. If you are one of those mothers, there is good news. Local stores are filled with scents and oils that effectively keep the mozzies away from your kids.
Vanilla essence, lavender oil, menthol camphor are some of the products you can use to defend your child from these nasty creatures.
For better results, pour the oil on a plate or a saucer and place it near your child. However, ensure that your child doesn’t get his hands on it.
A more safe tactic is to dip a cotton ball in the oil and place it under your child’s bed or crib. Another way is to mosquito killer spray the diluted solution of water and oil on the pillow and sheets.
#8 Hire Professional Mosquito Control Company
Lastly, it is always wise to let professionals take charge and deliver safe and highly effective mosquito control services. They know the best ways to use mosquito misting systems, mosquito traps, mosquito fogging, etc., to save you and your beloved kids from being the prey of these pesky creatures. If you want, we, the team of Knockout Mosquito, can help you with high-quality and affordable mosquito control services. We serve the entire Charleston SC region and can provide on-time, effective, and affordable services.
Some Clever Ways To Ward Off Mosquitoes
- Always keep your swimming pool cleaned and covered.
- Use yellow bug lights outdoors to repel insects like mosquitoes and bugs.
- If you have ornamental ponds, aerate them to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in them.
If you are looking for professional help to get rid of mosquitoes, we will be more than happy to assist you. Knockout Mosquito is a well-known name as a provider of complete mosquito control systems. Get in touch with our team of professionals here.
