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Best Bug Sprays for Babies of 2022

Keep baby's sensitive skin protected from biting bugs with these spray, cream and wipe insect repellents.

No one likes getting bug bites. Even worse? Seeing your little one suffer from itchy mosquito bites (or a latched-on tick, yuck!). 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 outing (second only to sunscreen, of course)–especially in the summer.

But what sorts of insect repellents are available? Hint: it’s not just in spray form. We’ve broken down all the main repellent types as well as safe-use recommendations for pregnancy, babies and children. Before your next jaunt outdoors, arm yourself with the anti-bug supplies you need to keep yourself and your family safe from annoying bites and potential disease.

Do you need bug spray?

Let’s put it this way: Do you want to wear long sleeves and long pants tucked into socks whenever you go outdoors, even during super hot weather? Yeah, we don’t either. Unless you live in an area largely free of biting bugs, we strongly recommend you get some type of bug repellent.

What type of bug spray is best?

Insect repellents come in lotions, sprays, wipes, balms and even patches, but there are three primary anti-bug ingredients that can safely be used on children: DEET, picaridin and essential oils.

Interested in learning more about the best bug sprays for babies? Head here for more information to help with choosing how to keep your family safe from bug bites

LAST UPDATED

December 3, 2023

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Zenovia Stephens, ...told SELF it was her favorite bug spray for hikes and backpacking trips, and that she used it on herself as well as her kids.

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[Sawyer Picaridin] the best bottle of bug spray we found after testing over 25 repellents and talking to everyone from the EPA to the American Mosquito Control Association.

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We have found the most effective and long-lasting solution to be a portable hollow fibre membrane filter that eliminates 99.99999% of harmful bacteria, the most common form of contamination seen in fresh surface water, rainwater and wells.

Christian Troy and Riley Garrison
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