The Mosquitos are Back!
The fast approach of summer has many of us reaching for mosquito repellants that include DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), but this chemical protection can come at a high physical price. Children are especially susceptible to DEET’s adverse side effects, which can range from rashes and headaches to mood changes and difficulty breathing.
Try bug sprays that use essential oils like lemongrass, tea tree and rosemary. They are not as long-lasting as chemical repellants, so your child will have to reapply them more frequently and also spray clothes and hats, but they have no side effects. Well-known brands include Burt’s Bees Herbal Insect Repellant, Bite Blocker and Buzz Away. And make sure you or the camp councillor keep the kids indoors or well covered up during the mosquito hours (dawn and dusk) and in wooded areas.
Environmental Defence has created a comprehensive guide to insect repellants that will help you figure out which bug sprays work best for you and your family.
Adapted from greenliving.com.
