Bug Bites

Updated on August 03, 2008
E.N. asks from Clearwater, FL
18 answers

Help!!!! I'm totally crushed to see that my five-month old son is being bitten by bugs on a regular basis. Sometimes it's in the middle of the night - he'll have clusters of bites on his legs and forehead, and sometimes it's during the day - I've caught bugs mid-bite on his eyelid, fingers, etc. I have two different bug repellants that are supposed to be baby-friendly, one with the Disney logo and another DEET-free product a friend found for her infant while in Texas. Neither seem to work. I can't put a mosquito net over our bed, though I wouldn't mind a smallish-one for his stroller. Does anyone have any ideas for helping him, without introducing any chemicals or toxins?

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So What Happened?

Thanks for all the wonderful and various suggestions. We found a mosquito net of sorts for the stroller (where most of the bugs seemed to be getting him) and that helps tremendously. We have the Baby Bug Off Repellent on order from Healing-Scents.com, it is the most natural and non-toxic of all the recommendations according to the cosmetic site's reports. In the meantime, we've discovered that rubbing Vit E oil from capsules on his legs and arms works miracles - who would've known!

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A.V.

answers from Tampa on

Buy a Crib Netting and you'll solve the problem. I thing i've seen them on clearance in BabiesRus. It helped me a few years ago. Good luck.

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D.F.

answers from Tampa on

You could try putting dryer sheets in his pockets or in the stroller. I know that sounds crazy, but I put them in my socks and loop them through my belt loops or put them on my hat and for whatever reason these keep the bugs away. I always use them when I am working in the yard and no bites!

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D.T.

answers from Tampa on

I don't have problems with my son getting bit in his crib on a regular basis. Every so often, he wakes up with a bite because we can't keep the mosquitos in our neighborhood from coming in the house when we open the door. However, is a bug repellent, I use Califonia Baby Bug Repellent Spray. It seems to work for him when we go for walks and are outside. California Baby has a huge line and all is available online at www.californiababy.com. Some products can be found at Target, Publix, Whole Foods or other natural health markets. Good luck! Oh too, what I like to put on bites or rough dry patches of skin or even diaper rash on my son, whose 9 mos. btw, is California Baby's Calendula Cream. Awesome!

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L.C.

answers from Lakeland on

Natrapel!A natural repellant that you can get at Whole Foods or even Vitamin Shoppe!! Love it!Another one that's awesome but a bit more pricey is California Baby bug repellant (usually in salons, also at Whole Foods and probably online- We're having a difficult time w/ the mosquitos too right now, due to all of the rain in the last few weeks!Poor baby getting targeted by those nasty little biters!! Just means he's super sweet!!! Good Luck! L.

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A.G.

answers from Tampa on

Same issues here. My little one is a magnet for mosquitoes. I use a little device called a "Solar Anti-mosquito Guard". It's very small, looks like a keychain. It makes a barely perceptible sound that mimics a dragonfly's wings. Mosquitos are apparently repelled by that sound, since dragonflys eat mosquitoes. It does work, but needs to be repowered in sunlight periodically.

Another thing you can do is check the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. This is a very helpful website that rates personal care products by levels of toxins. Since insect repellents are not considered to be in one of the major categories, you will need to use the search box feature (purple box near top of webpage). Enter in "insect repellant" and you will get a listing. They do rate the insect repellants, I found them in there. Website is here:

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/

According to the database, Listerine is moderately toxic. Burt's Bees repellant is very good, but there are even safer options if you prefer.

For the most part, dryer sheets are very toxic, I would avoid them altogether, for this use and for drying clothes as well.

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B.C.

answers from Tampa on

Hello E.,

Here are the two my favorite things out of 100 I have used;

1. Burt's Bees spray (All natural) herbal insect repellent safe and efective.
2. Burt's Bee Outdoor bug bite relief (for bug bites if you happen to miss a beat)

I carry both items in my diaper bag at all times, it's a must in FL. Please note, blood type "0+" attracts mosquitos the most. All Burt's Bee products are 100% natural www.burtsbees.com

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K.M.

answers from Tampa on

Hi E.,

I'm sorry your little one is so sweet! I have the same problem, they love me but I can use the DEET products but I'm always looking for something that has a pleasant smell. I haven't tried this remedy yet (going to try it today as a matter of fact) I read that if you put a dryer sheet in your pocket the mosquitos will stay away from you. You can perhaps tuck it into the backside of his pants so he can't get to it. If I find that after my outting today that I am still chewed to shreds I will email you and let you know that my little experiment didn't work. It's worth a shot, I'm sure he's got less "coverage" area that I have so one sheet may work well and I may have to leave the house looking like I just stepped out of the dryer. :-) Hope this helps.

A little about me:

Single mom with 2 teenagers 14B & 17G who is college bound in (according to her countdown) 28 days!

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L.J.

answers from Tampa on

I'm not sure whether or not you've already tried these two products but I've had success with both (my daughter is also very prone to bug bites). The first is cintronella oil. You can find it at health food stores or even some sunscreen such as California Baby. Natrapel also contains citronella and offers limited protection (it can be purchased either as a spray or wipes at Babies R Us). The second product is Avon Skin So Soft. Neither one contain DEET and although they both have a scent, I don't find either too offensive.
Good luck!

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D.N.

answers from Tampa on

My pediatrician said I can use anything with less than 10% DEET, but my daughter is 16 mo. old. Not sure about a baby under 6 or 12 months, but double check w/ yours. Also, my daughter at one time had mysterious bites at night and we did a thorough search of her room and found baby spider eggs, so there was a mamma spider apparently feeding on MY baby! We got rid of the eggs and mamma must have left or been washed, as we washed all of the bedding and went through all of the stuffed animals, etc. The eggs were UNDER a chair, so don't forget to look EVERYWHERE! Good luck...I know how awful it feels when something's biting your little one :(

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R.K.

answers from Tampa on

just be really careful with bug repellents and even dryer sheets, them may work tremendously, but make sure to check for toxins that you could ultimately be poisoning your child with. I know I detoxed my home because my little dog got sick from one of the standard cleaners I was using. I have 2 girls and my youngest is 8, but I figured if my little dog got so sick so quick what could it be doing to my kids or evem me and my husband. I know of a store that sells some great non-caustic cleaning supplies and bug repellents please let me know if you would like more info and good luck.

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R.W.

answers from Tampa on

Avon has a good bug repellent that is safe to use on him any time. My Mom was using the Skin So Soft as a bug repellent long before Avon realized that it worked.
Also you need to treat your home for bugs if he is getting bitten while in bed. Probably small spiders biting him at night. If you can bleach his sheets and anything else in the room you can bleach. Bugs can't stand the smell of bleach.

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A.F.

answers from Tampa on

I have the same problem. I have four little ones and 3 get bitten all the time. I too refused to put any harse chemicals on them. What worked for me was the SKIN SO SOFT (the original scent) from AVON. I would use the lotion or the oil and just rub it on their arms, back of the hands, legs, and feet. That seems to be enough. IT REALLY DOES KEEP THE PESTS AWAY. Good Luck.

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A.Z.

answers from Sarasota on

Try California Baby. They're organic and have a natural formula that many love. They have some of the line at Whole Foods or www.californiababy.com.

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N.R.

answers from Lakeland on

AVON Skin So Soft - original scent is the best. Use the oil - at the end of bath time, while still damp, rub it all over and then gently blot dry with a towel - he'll be protected 24/7. Make sure that he doesn't scratch at the bites - my daughter had her first, second, and third bout with MRSA after getting what looked like ant bites at Day Care. Now I use BANDAID brand Anitseptic/Anesthetic to clean any little bump, scrape, scratch or cut, and Neosporin + if it's a boo boo, and Benedryl if it's a bite. HOWEVER - that said I did over use the Benedryl when my daughter was attached big time while we were at the race track with my husband. I cleaned everything with the Bandaid cleanser and then slathered on the Benedryl cream and reapplied during the day. I was terrified that she would break the skin by scratching and the MRSA event was only a month behind us. That night she fell asleep on the way home (about 6) and slept through the night, we woke her in the morning, (about 6) showered, reapplied everything and headed back to the track. She fell back asleep inthe car and slept for like another 4 hours! I immediately made an appointment with the Pediatrician because I was afraid that she had some kind of terrible disease that was causing these welts and lethargy. The pediatrician told me that I porobably overdosed her on the Benedryl - as it says right on the lable not to use with any other products containing dyphehidramine (sp?)including oral products. It does not say that the cream will cause sleepiness - but if you read between the lines........
Anyway, she no longer goes to daycare - as she saw her first PG movie there at age 3, and contracted MRSA 3 times in 45 days. Thankfully my husband and I have jobs where she can be with us during the days, I had just started her at that part time Church day care two days a week so that she could have a social life. Good luck. Try the Skin So Soft - it really works!
PS: I sell AVON - and have friends that sell it too. If you can't find it - let us know we'll try and help you out.

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J.V.

answers from Fort Myers on

Hi E..... I have the same problem so if you get any bites<no pun intended..lol, please share> There is this thing I got an email on. I tried it on her stroller and it seemed to work. Apparently Listerine the mouth wash is a huge bug repellent....you might have a minty fresh room :-), but give that a go. All I had on hand was the vanilla mint kind, and I think it said to get the regular kind. It is cheap also. let me know if it works, or if you get any other good ideas from anyone else! Just don't put it in a 401 bottle like I did, my husband ended up cleaning the counters with Listerine...lol.

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K.T.

answers from Tampa on

I have read that this really does work - Spray listerine the regular kind around his crib and around where he is when outside at night. This is really suspose to work. You can get the off brand and place in a spray bottle. There is something about it that will keep those pesky things away.

Kathy

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G.C.

answers from Tampa on

Ok this is probably going to sound weird but it works outside so I would assume that it will work inside....When my family is outside at night for anything I put dryer sheets in our pockets...it keeps the mosquitos away...so maybe if you put them like under a pillow, around the room it will work?? Also Llisterine is a good mosquito repellant as well and its safe....put it in a spray bottle and spary around the room...this I have also tried and it works. Now I have only used it outside so be careful where you spray it so it wont stain any furniture or carpet. I hope this helps you...let me know.. :)

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M.M.

answers from Tampa on

We used to live in a home where the ceilings were 24 ft and we had a terrible mosquito problem. We ended up buy a couple of mosquito catchers. They work excellent! It basically is a blue light that they are attracted to and then a fan sucks them into a traped compartment. At the end of a week would have about 100 mosquitos in each one! I have 2 for sale if your interested. One is smaller and medium powered that works well for a single room for $25, and high powered one for a large area for $65. They were only used for about 6 weeks.

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