The Best Bug Sprays for Babies and Toddlers
No one likes getting bug bites. Even worse is seeing your baby suffer from itchy mosquito bites or a latched-on tick. And with the different diseases that insects can transmit, including Zika and West Nile virus from mosquitoes and Lyme disease from ticks, insect repellent should be top-of-mind before any outdoor adventure (second only to a great sunscreen, of course)—especially in the summer.
But can you even use insect repellant on babies? Thankfully, yes. There are several main bug repellent ingredients that are safe for babies and toddlers, including:
DEET: The most effective and widely studied option for insect repellent. Formulations of up to 30% are safe for babies and toddlers and provide about five hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks, but amounts of 10% or lower are just as effective and are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Picaridin: This repellent is odorless, non-greasy and lasts longer than DEET, but may not be the most effective option (it’s still pretty effective, though).
Essential oil-based repellents: Made with ingredients like citronella, lemongrass and peppermint, these plant-based alternatives can offer some protection but may need to be reapplied more frequently.
April 10, 2025
Amylia Ryan
About Amylia
Amylia Ryan is the Associate Editor at Babylist, specializing in the topics of health, wellness and lifestyle products. Combining a decade of experience in writing and editing with a deep passion for helping people, her number one goal in her work is to ensure new parents feel supported and understood. She herself is a parent to two young children, who are more than willing to help product test endless toys, books, clothes, toiletries and more.
Before dedicating herself to helping new parents learn all about life with a baby, she worked in book publishing as an editor of multiple award-winning books. When not writing or editing, she enjoys many shared hobbies with her spouse and children, including video games and baseball.
Experience
Associate Editor
Skills:
Copy editing, Copy writing, Line editing, Developmental editing, Project management, Book publishing, Production management, Project commissioning
Education
Portland State University, Master of Arts in Editing; Book Publishing
San Francisco State University, Bachelor of Arts in English
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