We live in an area where mosquitoes are pretty much everywhere, especially around the evening hours. My kids go to summer camp that’s in the middle of the woods so the counselors already know that applying insect repellent is just something you do on a daily basis, right along with sunscreen. I’ve tried using essential oils for mosquitoes and it just wasn’t working; my kids came home with mosquito bites that blew up into quarter-sized bites and were very painful. Since I don’t want my kids using DEET on their skin, I’ve been on the lookout for a safe insect repellent that was also effective. I discovered “Stay Away Mosquitoes” spray from EarthKind. ‘Stay Away Mosquitoes’ Repellent by Earthkind: The Safe Way to Avoid Mosquito Bites
Stay Away Mosquitoes comes in the form of spray. You shake the bottle and hold it 4-6 inches away from the body to spray. You can apply to the face by spritzing on your hand first. The spray itself is milky-white, kind of like sunblock, but blends in quickly. I love that it lasts 14 hours, so you just apply once in the morning (I do this before the kids get in the car to go to camp). It’s also effective on ticks, which are abundant in our area. The unscented spray is water-resistant, so it will stay on even after a dip in the pool. It’s safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
The active ingredient (at 20%) is Picaridin, which is a synthetic ingredient modeled after a compound from the black pepper plant. It is considered as effective as DEET, which can be harsh on the skin and possibly have other side effects. I used it consistently during my kids’ first week of camp and noticed a big difference! I applied only to their body, not their face, and they still didn’t get any bites on their face or anywhere else!
Purchase Stay Away Mosquitoes on Amazon.
I was not compensated for this post. I received samples.
Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, such as The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 9 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family.
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