Okay, so if you're anything like me, the thought of packing for a family trip brings up a whole checklist of worries, and right near the top is... bugs. I've spent so much time trying to find sprays that actually work but aren't loaded with DEET. I mean, I just want something that keeps my kids from getting eaten alive without me having to worry about what I'm putting on their skin. It feels like a huge ask sometimes. But I’ve found a few good ones. They’re mostly plant-based, feel better on the skin, and you don’t have to stress so much about them. Here’s a quick list of the ones I've been looking at:
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Chagrin Valley Organic Bar: It's a solid lotion bar, which is kinda cool. Smells like citronella and lemongrass. Costs about $10 and they say it lasts an hour or two.
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Kinfield Golden Hour Spray: This one smells really nice, actually. It's got a special kind of citronella and seems to last up to 3 hours. A little pricier at $21.
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EiR NYC Soybean Spray: Based on soybean oil. Lasts about 90 minutes. Costs $22.
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Garner's Garden Spray: Uses witch hazel and aloe, which sounds nice for skin. Should give you 2-3 hours of peace. It's $18.
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Coleman SkinSmart Spray: This one isn't essential oils, it uses something called IR3535, but it's supposed to be a safer alternative and lasts for 8 hours. Pretty cheap, too, around $8-$11.
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EarthKind Stay Away: This uses Picaridin, another DEET alternative. Lasts a super long time, like 14 hours for mosquitoes. About $16.
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Badger Anti-Bug Balm: A stick balm, also super handy for travel. Citronella smell. It’s around $9 and lasts maybe 1.5-3 hours.
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Thistle Farms Spray: A mix of essential oils. You have to reapply this one a lot, like every 30 minutes, but it's cheap, maybe $8-$15.
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Ranger Ready Spray: This is another Picaridin one, and it's strong. Lasts 12 hours. Costs between $13 and $21.
3 Mom’s Organics TickWise: This one is focused on ticks, which is on my mind a lot these days. An herbal formula that lasts about 2 hours for ticks. It's $16.95.
Quick Comparison Table:
To make it all a little easier to see, I made this little chart. Sometimes just seeing it all laid out helps me think more clearly.
| Product | Active Ingredients | Protection Duration | Price | Travel-Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chagrin Valley Organic Bar | Citronella, Lemongrass | 1-2 hours | $9.95 | Yes |
| Kinfield Golden Hour Spray | Indonesian Citronella | 2-3 hours | $20.99 | Yes |
| EiR NYC Soybean Spray | Soybean Oil, Geranium Oil | 90 minutes | $22.00 | No |
| Garner's Garden Spray | Witch Hazel, Aloe, Oils | 2-3 hours | $18.00 | Yes |
| Coleman SkinSmart Spray | IR3535 | 8 hours | $8-$11 | Yes |
| EarthKind Stay Away | Picaridin | Up to 14 hours | $15.80 | Yes |
| Badger Anti-Bug Balm | Citronella, Cedarwood | 1.5-3 hours | $8.99 | Yes |
| Thistle Farms Spray | Essential Oils Blend | 30 minutes | $8-$15 | Yes |
| Ranger Ready Spray | 20% Picaridin | 12 hours | $12.94-$21 | Yes |
| 3 Mom's Organics TickWise | Citronella, Eucalyptus | 2 hours (ticks) | $16.95 | Yes |
Honestly, just pick what feels right for what you're doing. If you're going to be out all day, something like Ranger Ready or EarthKind seems like a no-brainer. But for just an evening in the backyard, Kinfield or that Badger balm are probably totally fine and they feel a little more, you know, natural.
DIY-Natural Bug & Tick Spray -Safe for Kids, Pets & Adults -Beat Mosquitoes & Black Flies Naturally!
1. Chagrin Valley Organic Insect Repellent Bar
Okay, I was so intrigued by this because I am just so tired of sticky sprays and things leaking in my bag. A solid lotion bar that keeps bugs away? Yes, please. It feels like it's moisturizing your skin while also telling bugs to leave you alone, which is a definite win, especially for my kids who have sensitive skin.
The folks at Chagrin Valley basically said they wanted to use the power of plants to make something you could take anywhere, without any of the weird synthetic stuff or DEET.
Key Ingredients
Everything in here is USDA-certified organic, which I love. It feels good knowing exactly what's going on the skin. Here's the stuff that does the work:
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Organic citronella: The classic bug-off ingredient.
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Organic lemongrass: This is supposed to be calming for the skin.
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Rosemary essential oil: Smells nice and has some antibacterial qualities.
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Peppermint essential oil: Gives it that nice, cooling feeling.
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Cedarwood essential oil: Gives it a bit of an earthy smell.
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Thyme essential oil: Supposed to be good for cleansing and healing.
The base is just nice stuff like beeswax, sunflower oil, shea butter, and avocado oil. It just feels like a really high-quality lotion.
It's funny, I read that the EPA calls these kinds of essential oil repellents "minimum risk pesticides," which sounds weird, but it just means they don't have to go through all the crazy formal testing.
Effectiveness (Duration and Protection Type)
So this works by basically making you smell like something mosquitoes and other bugs aren't interested in. People seem to really love it—it has great reviews for keeping mosquitoes and even those awful "no see ums" away. You do have to remember, though, it's not really designed for the super serious disease-carrying bugs, it's more for general annoyance.
The company says you should probably reapply it every hour or two because the protection is all about the scent.
I've found that you can kind of tell when it's time to reapply because the smell fades. It's like a built-in reminder. For it to work best, they say to put it on about five minutes before you go outside, especially on the spots where bugs always seem to get you. It’s just so easy for a family that’s always running out the door.
Travel-Friendly Features
This is where it really shines for me. It's solid, so you can just throw it in your carry-on without thinking about TSA liquid rules. It comes in this little metal tin, so it won't get smooshed or leak all over your bag. For less than ten bucks, it feels like a really smart thing to have for any trip.
2. Kinfield Golden Hour Mosquito Repellent
If you’re looking for something that doesn't smell like bug spray, this is it. Seriously. People have apparently stopped someone to ask what perfume they're wearing, and it was this. That alone made me want to try it.
The Kinfield people even said it themselves: "Golden Hour actually smells good... But more importantly: It works." And with tons of great reviews online, it seems like a lot of people agree.
Key Ingredients
The big deal with this one is that it has a special kind of citronella oil from Indonesia that's supposed to be extra effective. It's not just your average citronella.
But it's got other good stuff in it, too:
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Lemongrass: Adds to the fresh smell and helps with repelling.
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Clove Bud: Helps with some mosquitoes and makes your skin look nice.
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Lauric Acid: This is for moisturizing.
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Vanillin: Adds a little bit of a sweet smell.
I really appreciate that it doesn't have any parabens, sulfates, or fake fragrances. And it's vegan and cruelty-free, which is always a plus in my book.
Effectiveness (Duration and Protection Type)
So, they actually had this tested in a lab, and it protects against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes for over 3 hours. They still say you should reapply it every 2 hours just to be safe. It’s only been officially tested on that one type of mosquito, and they haven't tested it for ticks, so that's something to keep in mind.
But from what I've read, people say it really does work like it's supposed to.
Travel-Friendly Features
This is another one that’s great for travel. The 3 oz spray bottle is TSA-approved and you can find it at Target for around $21. What's even cooler, though, is that they sell it in single-use wipes. That's just brilliant for parents.
One person, Stephanie Vaughn, said she loves the wipes for throwing in her backpack or car. It makes so much sense. No spills, no mess, just grab one and go. Perfect for kids.
3. EiR NYC Soybean Oil-Based Repellent
This one, the Stay Away Spray from EiR NYC, is interesting because it's based on organic soybean oil. So it’s supposed to keep bugs away while also being really good for your skin. It comes in a 4 oz bottle for $22.
Their whole thing is that it's a "silky soft savior against unwanted insects," which sounds pretty nice.
Key Ingredients
So yeah, the main ingredient is organic soybean oil, which is both the bug repellent and the moisturizer. Then they add a bunch of essential oils to make it stronger. The main ones are:
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Clove essential oil: A classic for repelling insects.
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Cedar essential oil: Another old-school bug repellent.
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Lemongrass essential oil: For extra protection and a nice smell.
It also has a whole mix of other oils like rosemary, basil, eucalyptus, and lavender. It ends up smelling like lemongrass and sweet basil.
It’s vegan and doesn’t have any of the bad stuff like sulfates or parabens. They say they're just relying on "tried-and-true ingredients that have warded off insects for years," and I really like that philosophy.
Effectiveness (Duration and Protection Type)
I read somewhere that soybean oil repellents can actually work for up to 90 minutes, which is pretty impressive for a non-DEET option. EiR NYC says to reapply it every 90 minutes, but you know, that can probably change depending on how sweaty you are or where you are.
Travel-Friendly Features
The bottle is 4 oz, so it's a little too big for a carry-on, which is a bummer. But it’s perfect for road trips or camping, or you can just toss it in your checked bag. Since it's oil-based, you might not have to reapply it quite as much, which makes it a good thing to have with you.
4. Garner's Garden Essential Oil Blend
This spray from Garner's Garden is another DEET-free option that seems really popular, with good reviews. It costs $18 and is made with just seven natural ingredients, which I appreciate. Simpler is often better.
The base is witch hazel, which is good for your skin, and aloe juice to keep it from getting irritated.
Key Ingredients
Here are the five essential oils they use to keep the bugs away:
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Citronella oil: Of course. The main bug-repelling workhorse.
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Lemongrass oil: Helps the citronella work even better.
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Eucalyptus oil: Another layer of protection.
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Tea tree oil: Has natural antibacterial properties, which is a nice bonus.
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Peppermint oil: For that cooling feeling and to help with repellency.
It just seems like a really gentle, straightforward blend.
Effectiveness (Duration and Protection Type)
This one is designed to repel mosquitoes and other common bugs. The company just says to "Spray generously to significantly reduce bug bites."
Like a lot of essential oil sprays, it works as long as you can smell it. So once the scent starts to fade, it's time to spray again. People seem happy with how it works, and most would recommend it. It seems perfect for family outings where you can just quickly reapply as needed.
Travel-Friendly Features
I like that you can use this on your skin and your clothes. That makes it super versatile for trips and camping.
5. Coleman SkinSmart DEET-Free Spray
Okay, so this one is a bit different. It’s from Coleman, a brand I know for camping gear, and it's DEET-free, but it's not based on essential oils. It's got a huge number of positive reviews on Amazon, so a lot of people trust it. It’s a CDC-recommended option, which makes me feel a bit more confident.
Key Ingredients
The active ingredient is something called IR3535®. I looked it up, and it's made from a naturally occurring amino acid, so it's not as scary as it sounds. It's at a 20% concentration, and the CDC says it's a safe alternative to DEET. The rest of the ingredients just help it be odorless, dry fast, and not feel greasy.
Effectiveness (Duration and Protection Type)
This is the big selling point: it's supposed to give you up to 8 hours of protection from mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, gnats, fleas, and flies. It's specifically supposed to repel the mosquitoes that can carry things like Zika and West Nile, which is definitely something I think about. The protection time can vary, but 8 hours is a pretty solid promise.
Travel-Friendly Features
It comes in a 6 oz aluminum can that won't rust and has a twist-locking cap to stop it from leaking in your bag. Super practical for travel.
6. EarthKind Stay Away Mosquitoes
This one is really interesting because it's scent-free. I know some people who just can't stand the smell of bug spray, even the natural ones, so this could be a great option. It has a ton of good reviews on Amazon, and people seem to really like it for their families.
Key Ingredients
The main ingredient here is picaridin, which comes from the same plant that black pepper comes from. The CDC recognizes it as a good alternative to DEET. I like that the company seems really focused on being eco-friendly. They say they "believe in working with nature, not against it."
Effectiveness (Duration and Protection Type)
This is where it gets impressive. It says it provides up to 14 hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks, and up to 8 hours against biting flies, gnats, and chiggers. It's also safe for kids and even during pregnancy if you use it as directed. That's a huge relief.
Travel-Friendly Features
They sell this in travel sizes, which is perfect. You can get a little 4-pack of tiny bottles, or a larger 4 oz bottle. It's water-resistant and not sticky, so it's easy to carry around in a purse or backpack. People seem to love how small and light it is. You're just supposed to shake it, spray it from about 4-6 inches away, and put it on before sunscreen.
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7. Badger Anti-Bug Balm
This is another non-spray option, a balm in a stick, which I love for its no-mess potential. It has great reviews and seems super easy to travel with. The company puts it really nicely: "Repel bugs, not people."
It has a woody citrus smell that sounds way better than a chemical cloud. It seems like a great thing to have in your bag for those just-in-case moments.
Key Ingredients
It's a simple, organic blend of castor oil, citronella, cedar, lemongrass, rosemary, and geranium oils. The base is just organic olive oil and beeswax. It's gluten-free and cruelty-free, and it feels like it's moisturizing your skin, too.
Effectiveness (Duration and Protection)
They had this tested in a lab, and it was 95% effective for about 1.5 hours, with some protection lasting for 3-3.5 hours. And tons of customers seem to agree that it works.
Travel-Friendly Features
Being a solid stick, it's perfect for flying—no TSA worries. And no chance of it spilling in your bag. It's cheap, around $9, and small enough to toss anywhere. Applying it is as easy as using a lip balm.
8. Thistle Farms Essential Oil Spray
This spray has an amazing 4.9-star rating, and people say it's 99% effective, which is pretty bold. It's a DEET-free blend of essential oils that's supposed to work on mosquitoes, deer flies, and other biting bugs. I've read reviews from people who say it worked for them even in really buggy places.
Key Ingredients
Here’s the mix of oils they use to keep bugs away:
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Citronella: A classic for a reason. It helps hide your scent from bugs.
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Lemon Eucalyptus: This has something called PMD in it, which messes with a mosquito's ability to smell you.
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Rose Geranium: Repels bugs and can also help soothe bites you already have.
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Lemongrass: Releases a scent that bugs don't like.
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Peppermint: The menthol in it is supposed to dull insects' senses.
The base is just water and isopropyl alcohol to help it spray evenly.
Effectiveness (Duration and Protection Type)
Okay, here's the catch. It seems to work really well, but you have to reapply it a lot. Like, every 30 minutes. That's pretty common for natural oil sprays. So, it's great, but you have to be on top of it, especially if you're somewhere with a ton of bugs.
Travel-Friendly Features
It comes in two sizes, a 2-oz travel bottle for $8 and a bigger 4-oz one for $15. The little one is perfect for throwing in your purse for on-the-go protection.
9. Ranger Ready Picaridin Spray
This is another one that gets tons of great reviews on Amazon. People seem to swear by it, especially for those awful no-see-ums in Florida. It's made with families in mind and uses a natural compound that's safe for everyone.
Key Ingredients
The active ingredient is 20% Picaridin, which, again, comes from the same plant family as black pepper. The CDC has given it the thumbs-up, and it's safe for pregnant women and kids over one year old.
One expert, Ethan O'Donnell, called it a "safer yet equally effective alternative to DEET."
It protects against all the usual suspects: mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, chiggers, gnats, and sand flies. They also have a permethrin spray for your clothes for extra, full-body protection.
Effectiveness
This one is a powerhouse. It offers 12 hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks. Twelve hours! That's amazing for long days outside.
Travel-Friendly Features
It comes in a 3.4-oz bottle, so it's TSA-approved and easy to pack in a carry-on. It's not an aerosol, so no issues with airport security. Plus, it won't stain or damage your clothes or gear. Each bottle is supposed to last for more than 30 applications, which is great for a long trip.
It comes in a few different scents, including an odorless one, which is a nice option to have. This one seems like a must-have for any serious family trip.
10. 3 Mom's Organics Herbal Repellent
This one is also called TickWise, and it has a lot of good reviews. It's lab-tested and chemical-free, so it hits that sweet spot of being effective but also safe for the family. It feels like a really thoughtful option for people who want to avoid chemicals but still need something that works.
Key Ingredients
TickWise uses organic essential oils to block the scents that attract bugs. They don't list their exact formula, but it includes well-known repellents like citronella, lemon eucalyptus, and rose geranium oils.
It also has witch hazel and glycerin to moisturize your skin and prevent irritation. That makes it a really gentle choice, which is great for kids or anyone with sensitive skin.
Effectiveness
They had this tested in a lab, which is reassuring. It's 100% effective against ticks for up to 2 hours and mosquitoes for 1.75 hours.
The company says to reapply it every 2 hours for ticks and every 1.5 hours for mosquitoes. So, you have to stay on top of it. A lot of people also said it worked on chiggers, gnats, and horse flies, so it seems pretty versatile.
Travel-Friendly Features
You can get it in a TSA-approved 2 fl oz bottle for $16.95. It's small, easy to pack, and the spray bottle makes it simple to apply. Plus, it has a pleasant herbal smell, which is a lot nicer than the harsh chemical smell of some other repellents.
Product Comparison Chart
Sometimes I just need to see everything side-by-side to make a decision. It just makes it all click. So I put together this little chart breaking down the ingredients, how long they last, the size, and the price.
| Product | Active Ingredients | Protection Duration | Container Size | Price Range | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chagrin Valley Organic Insect Repellent Bar | Citronella, Lemongrass, Cedarwood | 2–3 hours | 3.5 oz bar | $8–12 | ||||
| Kinfield Golden Hour Mosquito Repellent | Citronella, Clove Oil, Lemongrass |
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| EiR NYC Soybean Oil-Based Repellent | Soybean Oil, Geranium Oil | 3–4 hours | 4 fl oz spray | $24–28 | ||||
| Garner's Garden Essential Oil Blend | Peppermint, Rosemary, Lemongrass | 2–3 hours | 2 fl oz spray | $15–18 | ||||
| Coleman SkinSmart DEET-Free Spray | IR3535 (synthetic amino acid) | 8 hours | 6 fl oz spray | $8–11 | ||||
| EarthKind Stay Away Mosquitoes | Rosemary, Lemongrass, Cedarwood | 4–6 hours | 2.5 fl oz spray | $12–16 | ||||
| Badger Anti-Bug Balm | Citronella, Cedarwood, Lemongrass | 3–4 hours (lab tested) | 1.5 oz stick | $12.99 | ||||
| Thistle Farms Essential Oil Spray | Lavender, Peppermint, Eucalyptus | 2–3 hours | 4 fl oz spray | $16–20 | ||||
| Ranger Ready Picaridin Spray | 20% Picaridin | 12 hours | 3.4 fl oz spray | $21 | ||||
| 3 Mom's Organics Herbal Repellent | Citronella, Lemon Eucalyptus, Rose Geranium | 2 hours (ticks), 1.75 hours (mosquitoes) | 2 fl oz spray | $16.95 |
Hopefully seeing it all laid out like this makes it a little less overwhelming to choose.
Key Insights from the Data:
Looking at all this, a few things kind of jumped out at me. The essential oil sprays usually say they last 2-4 hours, but from what I've read in places like Consumer Reports, it's often more like 2 hours or even less. So you just have to be realistic about reapplying. On the other hand, the ones with IR3535 or picaridin really do seem to last for 5 hours or more.
That Ranger Ready Picaridin Spray is just a beast with its 12-hour protection. I guess that 20% picaridin really does the trick.
If you're on a tight budget, the Coleman SkinSmart one is a great deal. 8 hours of protection for around $10 is hard to beat. And if you just need something small and easy to pack, the 2 oz sprays from Garner's Garden or 3 Mom's Organics are perfect.
The price per ounce is all over the place, from like $1.50 for the Coleman spray to over $8 for 3 Mom's Organics. It just makes you think about how often you'll have to reapply it versus the cost.
And I have to say, I'm still really into the solid bars and sticks, like the Chagrin Valley bar and the Badger balm. No spills, no mess—that’s a huge plus for me when traveling.
Final Thoughts
So yeah, picking the right bug spray really just comes down to thinking about your trip and what kind of bugs you're going to be dealing with. Most of them are for mosquitoes, but a lot of them work on ticks too, and that's something I'm always thinking about when we go hiking.
For my family, it’s always this balancing act between wanting something natural and wanting something that I know is going to work. As much as I love the idea of all-natural, keeping my kids safe is always the top priority.
If we're going camping somewhere I know has a lot of ticks, I'm probably going to grab something strong like the Ranger Ready spray. But for a beach trip where it's just some mosquitoes at dusk, something lighter like Kinfield Golden Hour or the Thistle Farms spray feels right. And for just hanging out in the backyard, those solid bars from Chagrin Valley or Badger are just so easy.
And of course, you always have to check the label for age recommendations before putting anything on your kids. Sometimes the wipes or gels feel a little safer to apply on little ones than a big cloud of spray.
One last thing—I always stick the bottle in a plastic bag in my luggage anyway, just in case. Better safe than sorry. And if you're going with a natural one, pack extra, because you'll probably go through it faster.
Ultimately, you just do the best you can to match the spray to the adventure. It's all just part of trying to have a good, safe time out there. It’s a constant learning process, isn’t it?
FAQs
What’s the difference between natural bug sprays and those with DEET?
The main difference is just what they're made of and how they feel. DEET is a chemical that's been proven to work really well for a long time. But, it can be irritating on the skin for some people, and there are some worries about what it does to the environment.
Natural sprays use plant-based stuff, like lemon eucalyptus oil or citronella. They usually feel a lot gentler on the skin and are better for the planet. The trade-off is that you usually have to reapply them more often. So it really just comes down to what you're more comfortable with—stronger, longer-lasting protection or a gentler, more eco-friendly option.
What should I consider when choosing a natural bug spray for my family?
When I'm picking one for my family, here's what I think about:
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Ingredients: I look for things I recognize, like citronella, eucalyptus oil, or peppermint oil. Things that feel gentle but still get the job done.
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Child-Friendly Options: I always, always check the label to make sure it's safe for kids. Some are made with gentler formulas specifically for them.
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How long it lasts: Natural sprays don't last as long, so I think about what we're doing. A quick trip to the park is different from an all-day hike.
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Easy to carry: I look for small, spill-proof bottles that I can just toss in my bag and not worry about.
Thinking about those things usually helps me find a spray that works for us and gives me some peace of mind.
Are natural bug sprays safe for kids and pregnant women?
Yeah, for the most part, they are considered safe when you use them the right way. The best thing to do is look for products with ingredients the EPA has approved, like picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Those are known to be safe and effective. The big rule, though, is to never use any insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months old.
If you're pregnant, it's always a good idea to just run it by your doctor first. And no matter what, just read the directions on the bottle and try to avoid putting it on hands, near eyes, or on any cuts or scrapes.
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