One thing that I dislike about the summer are the BUGS, especially the ones that BITE. When I get bitten by mosquitoes, the bites swell up pretty big. And although I have this reaction, I avoid using insect repellent because I don’t like how strong commercial repellents smell. Since having Boogie, I worry about little critters nibbling on his little body. He’s not old enough to use insect repellents sold in most stores, so I decided to find some tips to help keep buggies off him.
Instead of, or in addition to, using insect repellents, there are also many steps that you can take to avoid insect bites. These protective measures include:
* dressing your kids in thin, loose-fitting, long-sleeve clothing that doesn’t include bright colors
* encouraging your kids to wear socks and shoes instead of sandals
* avoiding spending time outdoors during evening to early morning hours (dusk to dawn)– when mosquitoes bite the most
* avoiding scented soaps and other things that might attract mosquitoes and other bugs
* using a bug screen over your child’s stroller
* controlling mosquitoes and other insects where your kids play
Credit goes to Vincent Iannelli, M.D.
After looking for these tips, I decided to see if there were any chemical free insect repellents that are safe for infants. I’ve come across quite a few online shops that sell completely natural repellents. I’m still debating which ones I’d like to try, so I will report back with my selection. One insect repellent for toddlers that really caught my eye is called Hugs, Not Bugs! by j.blossom. It is recommended for ages 3 and up so of course Boogie isn’t old enough to use it, but I am! The whole family can actually use it, including the dog! Isn’t that something?
I wanted to try Hugs, Not Bugs! for myself since I’ve become lunch to the critters down here in the south. I also wanted to see how the product worked on myself to see if this would be something I’d like to use on Boogie in the future. Hugs, Not Bugs! all-natural insect repellent body spray is packed with 10 of nature’s most powerful bug-blasting herbs. Hugs, Not Bugs! has a fresh lemony-citrus scent that I love. I can SMELL GOOD and at the same time not get attacked by swarms of bugs! The formula does not contain DEET, parabens, or any other toxic chemicals. To add to its eco friendliness, Hugs, Not Bugs! is packaged in a recyclable green PET plastic bottle.
Check out this testimonial that made my mouth drop down to the floor!:
“I special ordered a gallon of this stuff to take back to Tanzania because it’s the only thing that keeps the big African mosquitoes off us!” — Wariko Waita mother of 4-year-old twins from Tanzania, East Africa.
Who would have known that you could fight off African mosquitoes using all natural ingredients?
Be sure to check out j.blossom for all natural bath and body products for girls! A haircare line is in the works! j.blossom believes every girl is beautiful, and their products are about helping girls feel good on the inside as well as on the outside! Every product is made with laughter and love and has a positive affirmation right on the bottle, such as “Short or tall, thick or thin, I love the skin that I am in!” The affirmation for Hugs, Not Bugs! is “I love the Earth and the Earth loves me!”
j.blossom graciously donated some Hugs, Not Bugs! insect repellent for 2 of our readers to try! To win, leave a comment telling me what you usually do or use to repel bugs. Winners will be chosen on July 19th at 7PM CST! This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only!
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this post is right on time! my daughter’s legs look like she was the victim of a vicious mosquito attack!!! i feel so bad because the bites make her miserable. she’s constantly saying “ish, ish (itch, itch).” I actually don’t use anything because i don’t know what to use. and i typically don’t use anything for myself.
if this product is as good as advertised, i really need to use some on nia! i’m gonna purchase a bottle and have her pediatrician look at the ingredients to see if it’s ok to use (since she’s under 3). if not, i’ll pass it along to my niece and keep on searching for a product that can lift my daughter out of her mosquito induced misery.
daras last blog post..Concerned About Greenwashing?
I use Avons Skin So Soft, have been using it for years. It works very well on the black flies here in Maine too. Trust me, you don’t wanna mess with those things!
I am from the Miss. Delta so I know all about mosquitoes.We just basically try not to got out once it is dark and when we do we don’t stand still plus we use OFF. MY little one year old niece always has bites because we can’t keep them out of the houses around here,they buzz in our ears all night. Hope to win this and give it a try!
I burn Citronella candles outside on my porch and when we are having a barbecue.
I don’t use any of the spray products like Off because they smell so awful.
I would love to try Hugs, Not Bugs!
Thank you for the giveaway
Oh goodness, just yesterday evening I was telling my hubby not to keep William out too long because of those pesky mosquitoes. I would love to know how this product works especially having a baby boy that already has shown a love for the outdoors!
Shelizas last blog post..Now That’s Some BULLS@#T !!!
I usually just avoid having my sons out when the bugs start to come out in the evening. I can’t stand putting spray with chemicals on them so this would be absolutely perfect for us!! Thank you for the giveaway!
I make sure the kids have pants on when playing outside at night or use OFF.
Everything I tried dosen’t work would love to try this!
We usually use OFF!
Bebemiquis last blog post..Lesson of The Day
I either use Skin So Soft or Off. Mainly, I stay inside because I seem to attact bugs no matter what I use. I guess I’m their bloodtype.
In general my husband sprays the lawn down for bugs and then we use the citronella candles and OFF. Last week I sat outside on the deck one night and the next day had no less than 12 mosquito bites, most around my ankles! UGH!
With my daughter’s sensitivities, I’d love to try an all natural product!
Kim @ What’s That Smell?s last blog post..Help a new mom out – Does she need a mobile?
We have a huge problem with West Nile in our area…so we absolutely must put on bug spray before heading outside. I’d love to try something more kid friendly. Right now, we use the wipes to wipe down the kids. They are okay smelling, but the important part is that the kids don’t breath in the fumes.
Skys last blog post..The Oath
We usually use Off. Or Avon’s Skin So Soft. And we always have Citronella candles burning. But none of it ever seems to work well. So thanks so much for the opportunity to win this.
mistys last blog post..Country Bob’s – A Review.
We usually use Off Skintastic when we’re outside. I can’t stand mosquitos so I never forget to put it on us if I think there’s even a chance of being bitten.
We have been using OFF, which doesn’t seem to even work! Not to mention, I hate using anything with DEET, but I hate those skeeters more! I am open to try ANYTHING, but would love for it to be natural!
Christinas last blog post..Children’s Book Review: A Sunflower Parable
We use the Berts Bees, but still seem to get bit.
We dont do much to keep away the bugs except wear long clothing and keep inside. But how wonderful this product would be to keep away the disease carrying mosquitos while in Africa. Sounds like a good way to help protect my children from malaria!
Sarah Bukis last blog post..I love to play! (videos)
I normally use Avon Skin So Soft, but also wear long sleeves, long pants, etc. The bugs really like me.
I use Off or put on lots of clothes. We’ve been getting lots of ticks here in Missouri – not fun! Thanks for the giveaway!
We usually just stay inside during the dawn and dusk hours, but it’s not a very good solution since—for various reasons—those are the best times for us to go outside and play. Thanks for the contest!
Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the interest in my Hugs, Not Bugs! natural insect repellent and the rest of the j.blossom line. I’m so excited that the Mommy Daddy Blog saw fit to spread the word.
I just wanted to address Dara’s question about safe ingredients for children under age 3. The main reason we created Hugs, Not Bugs! was to provide a safe, effective, child-friendly alternative to the toxic bug sprays on the market (most of which contain DEET, a poisonous chemical).
Safety is our paramount concern, and fun is right behind that. We thoroughly research every ingredient that we include in our products. In fact, all of j.blossom products are tested on my own family members, and we personally use Hugs, Not Bugs! on children as young as 10 months in our family.
That being said, the label lists the product as intended for use in children age 3 and older because it contains a teeny, tiny amount of natural lemon eucalyptus essential oil (less than one tenth of 1 percent!) and while the American Academy of Pediatrics has reported the oil to be “considered SAFE when used appropriately” (http://www.aap.org/family/wnv-jun05.htm) — and I agree with them — I also feel that “appropriate use” means not putting it in your mouth. We all know that toddlers suck on their arms, hands, and any other body part they can get into their mouths, and arms/hands are likely body parts to spray against bug bites. For this reason, I’d rather err on the side of caution with respect to product labeling and empower parents and caregivers to be the judge for what’s best for their youngest children.
Again, in our family, we’ve decided that Hugs, Not Bugs! is just fine for the little ones.
I hope this information helps you decide, and I welcome any further questions or comments about j.blossom products — just drop me a line directly at info@jblossom.com.
Peace and blessings,
Jamila White
Chief Joy Officer
j.blossom and co.
http://www.jblossom.com
I make sure my kids are not wearing anything scented and dress appropriatly depending on what we are doing. For example if we are hiking in the woods they need to wear pants tucked into their socks and sneakers. We also check for ticks after our dog came home with six of them one time.
I like Avon’s Skin So Soft. That is the repellent I grew up with as a kid.
We avoid areas where bugs thrive such as damp, swampy areas.
Thank you for a great giveaway.
I use OFF but I really worry about the safety of that product and would love to have a more natural alternative!
We use Citronella candles, OFF and Avon’s Skin So Soft.
gkstratos@ yahoo.com
Hello. We use this natural stuff we got from a store that no longer exists. It seems to work ok…it is not perfect and it is very thick & oily.
My daughter has sensitive skin so I don’t like continuously having to spray her with this oily stuff.
We have a lot of mosquitoes in Virginia in the summertime. We use Off Skintastic. It works pretty well, but some bugs still get through. A screened porch is also very helpful.
I use Deep Woods off with Deet because of the high incidence of west nile virus. I’d love to find an all natural alternative or other method that really works.
We’ve been inside quite a bit this summer, as we, too, don’t feel good about using commercial bug sprays on our little one. The Chicago skeeters seem to be especially bad this summer… or maybe it’s just that we’re worrying more about them since the birth of our little guy. Bug netting on our stroller has been our best protection, but it’s still not great. Some natural bug repellant would be amazing!
We usually try to stay indoors at dusk/dawn when they are out the most. If we do go out during those times, we usually wear long sleeves and pants.
I usually use tea tree oil.
tons of bug spray
We usually just use ‘Off’ insect repellent, but I’d love to try something natural that doesn’t stink
We usually use Off but I’d rather use a natural bug spray
We usually use off or citronella candles to repel bugs. I got these patches you apply to your skin to repel bugs so I wanna try those out next time I go camping. Great giveaway, thanks!
Mary @ Adventures in Mommylands last blog post..PeaceLoveMom Tee Giveaway
What a great idea! Just a couple of weeks ago, we found out that my 8 year old son has lime desease, caused by a tic bite. I was wondering what I could use for my younger children that doesn’t contain harmful chemicals. What a great idea!
Thanks for this giveaway.
I usually use a Racket Zapper.
I use Avon Skin so Soft to deter bugs!
I would love to try Hugs, Not Bugs!. We go through a ton of OFF and other products each year because the mosquitoes are so bad here.
Thank you for the great giveaway!
themonkinme(at)gmail(dot)com
Wow, currently we use Off, but haven’t figured out what to do for our little one other than keep him covered and indoors whenever possible.
I use off because the mosquitos get really bad around where I live.
any of many natural products. work ok
I use bounce fabric sheets
My youngest has a huge reaction to misquito bites. I have tried Skin so soft, using a bounce dryer sheet attatched to her clothes, and several other over the counter ‘natural’ products.
I would love to find something that would work for her, and the fact that the rest of the family can use it makes it even better.
I have not had to use a bug spray on my daughter yet, so it will be nice to have a safe one for her!
We usually have the kids wear long sleeves and long pants. Plus, I try to avoid staying outdoors at dusk. But sometimes that’s hard to do….
Positive energy and meditation vibes keep me clear
avon’s skin so soft has worked really well for us. plus it keeps your skin….so soft.
We burn citronella candles and use the off wipes.
we use avon usually- but hate the chiggers and other tiny bug bites
We usually use OFF! Skintastic Family because it has a lower DEET concentration than most (4.75%). But I’d love to use something with none at all that’s still really effective. Next month we’ll be spending a week in the Sierra Mountains on a family camping trip, and Hugs, Not Bugs! sounds like just the thing. Thanks for the giveaway – I’ll be grabbing your RSS, too (I love the look of your blog!)
I usually use off skintastic and I hate it. I feel sticky and gross when I use it. I have also tried some ninja moves to keep the bugs at bay, but that doesn’t work very well.
i whine and complain and moan and groan about forgetting to put something on!
I read that Listerine helps so I’ve got that in a spray bottle.
I have tried 2 “organic” citronella bug sprays on my kids and they reek so bad and really don’t work well at all. I was really disappointed. Sadly, I resorted back to OFF, which I know contains deet but with the citronella stuff on, my son got over “10″ bites on his neck and face one evening…I just can’t have that. I’d really like to give this stuff a try.
Before I go out when the mosquitos are out, I get a lemon or orange, take the peel off, and rub the peel all over. It’s has citrus in it, which deters the biting of moquitos.
I use Off Skintastic for myself and son but just try and keep the baby away from ‘buggy’ situations.
I want in on this one. We have done the skin so soft from avon. I have also used bounce dryer sheets. Glad to have found your blog.
Christy
I’m lame…the way we repel bugs is to stay inside at dusk. I’d love to try this & be able to go on famiyl walks again at dusk!
I love anything that is free from harmful chemicals. I have an organic spray I am using right now for the kids.
We usually use Avon’s Bug Guard. We also use their sun block that has bug repellent.
Reizas last blog post..Need a feel good story?
The only thing we have ever used is Off, but it hasen’t worked very good!
The mosquitoes don’t like me, so I rarely use anything to deter them, but unfortunately, a couple of my kids get bit and I’ve been wanting to try something other than Avon & Off. this osunds great
stampedwithgraces last blog post..The Edge of Recall
i usually use OFF.
GASP!
tanyettas last blog post..Traditions on Mane Street
I’d like to try this product out. I usually use OFF repellant.
I hate my co-workers right now.
we light citronella sticks around the house perimeter.
My son is actually allergic to misquitoes and we live in the country where they are out every single night. He’s had severe reactions in which his legs ballooned and had to be wrapped for a week! I’d love to try this for him.
SIKN SO SOFT AN D CANDLES
We do what we can can do- Stay inside. When we have to go out we use OFF. FL is very bad in the summer!
lots of skin so soft
My size 11M’s make a great bug repellant. They have been especially functional in the Texas hill country where scorpion, spiders, beetles, and grass hoppers are just a few of my handy and frequent victims.
my husband needs this.
We use Off on ourselves and our older children. On our 8 month old, I just sit near her and watch for bugs. Fortunately, I have not had any land on her, nor has she had any type of bites from ones I have missed.
Jennifer
I use off on the kids.
I can’t even begin to count all the mosquito bites on me right now!
We usually use Badger’s brand of natural repellent
off
THANK YOU GOD BLESS
My Hubby definately could use this!
Luckily we live in Idaho where when the sun goes down it gets cold. For the few months that there are bugs we wear long sleeves and long pants. Thanks for the chance.
Usually, if we are going to be at the park or backyard having a picnic or BBQ, I bring one of those candles that keeps bugs away, they work to some extent, but not completely. They seem to just minimize the amount of flying friends!
I use skin-so-soft
I use natrapel on the kids…IT SMELLS SO GROSS.. I think its time to try something new…
I usually just use bug repellent, but I would love to try this brand! Most of the ones I have tried in the past don’t work that well.
I use Avon Skin so Soft
We just bought some bug repellant “wipes” for our baby, but I’d love to try something friendlier like this. Thanks!
We can’t find anything that will work with my daughter. The bugs love her. This might be just the thing.
a good repellent with DEET
I’ve been looking for something safe to use on my toddler. I’ve been using pure vanilla extract and dryer sheets. Both smell good but don’t do the job as well as I would like. I’d love to try this out!
We usually have a can of off and i really never liked it but its the one thats been around for years. Old habits die hard and now i’m ready to try something new and better.
I just try not to go out alot in the summer evening hours.
I normally use Citronella oil and dab it on our exposed skin.
Thanks for the contest, I would love to win this, we use OFF.
We use Avons SSS, swat the buggers, and citronella candles. Prefer to stay away from the deet. This years the worst, I am being forced to stay inside more than I like.
I can not stand traditional bug spray, and in some instances, I am even allergic to it. Thankfully, we don’t live in an area that seems to have a lot of mosquitoes. While we do have regular bug spray sitting on our shelf, we use it very little and prefer to take our chances most times with long sleeved clothing, etc. because we find bug spray so repulsive. I would so love it if we could find a better solution for keeping safe.
I don’t do much right now to repel bugs, because I am so nervous about the chemicals in most of the bug sprays. This stuff sounds great! Thanks so much!
I usually use off
I don’t have a problem with bugs, but my husband does. They eat him alive-no matter what he puts on. Here’s hoping this product actually works!!!
iluv2pray@gmail.com
Something a friend of mine taught me and actually has worked well is we rub my daughter down with a dryer sheet then pin the sheet to the back of her shirt
Well we don’t really use anything because everything we try doesn’t seem to work! Would be nice to try this!
Thank you!
Kelsey
rawrissexy@gmail.com
I hang out with my husband to avoid being bothered by bugs. His blood must be real sweet, where ever we go he’s the one that they always swarm to! So yeah, this would be more of a gift for him than myself..
We use a bug screen on our stroller. Thanks for the giveaway!
We currently use cutter wipes – yes icky smelling ones, i guess what I do like about them is that you wipe them on, and then can throw them out — no overspraying or aerosol — would love to try out the Hugs not bugs!
I was using anything on sale. Being an out door person always working in the garden or exercising, I could sure use something that is really great and bugs would stay away.
we use one of the skin so soft products by avon. it sucks. i need to try a new kind. thanks
Living in the South to go outside especially in the summer time one could get carried away by the mosquitos. They are everywhere and even tend to follow us into the house. I’ve tried the candles, even bought a bug zapper years ago, but figured it was much easier to avoid the bites by staying inside during certain times of day like early morning or at dusk when they seem to be worse. I’m always on the lookout for something new that actually works.
I usually avoid areas with tons of bugs and don’t go out too late when there are mosquitoes. They love it when it starts to get dark…like mini vampires. Blah.
Slap
Something natural – another way for us to “BE GREEN” thank you for this contest and the information on this wonderful product line.
I use any store brand that says for family or kids, and try to get the nicer scented ones like “tropical fresh”. They usually don’t bite me, but even during the day, they love those juicy, chubby, little kids.
We normally use bug spray but I can’t stand the way it leaves a oily feeling on your sking, I would love to try this.
life without OFF will be so cool. Great giveaway.
herry123_us@live.com
We use OFF! but I would like to try an effective, more natural product. Thanks for the great giveaway and information on this product!
Usually we just deal with the bites, but it would be cool to try a new product!!
My MIL’s favorite trick is to rub used dryer sheets on the kids arms and legs. It seems to work.
Julies last blog post..Wordle Me
I have heard that you should put Listerine in a squirt bottle & spray it around the area you were going to be in. It’s supposed to keep the mosquitos away, but actually I’ve never tried it. I usually just use Off, but I don’t like the ideas of chemicals.
I like to use bounce sheets. It sounds really weird but they actually work against repelling mosquitoes.
I also try not to eat too much candy. It seems like the moquitoes are more attracted to me when I’m on a candy high. (which is often since I love chocolate!)
I would love to try Hugs ,not Bugs! though. I’m a big fan or natural products especially ones that smells really yummy.
Yangs last blog post..Winner to the Summer Movie Contest Announced
The only way I’ve been able to keep the bugs away this summer has been to stay inside. Please help!
I live in NH and the mosquitoes are AWFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!! The only thing I’ve found that works is Off with DEET. If I can find something else that’s better for them that works, that would be great. I’d love to try it!
i use off
i use OFF! when we’re outside, it works pretty well.
I use Avons Skin So Soft.
Thanks so much!
suzystars9@gmail.com
We use OFF!
Citronella candles!
I don’t like using any products because of the smell, being greasy or sticky. I often put fabric softener sheets in my pockets and rub them on my kids cloths. My son and daughter in law are expecting their first child and will be visiting so I have the net for the stroller and all that but still worry. I have a grandson who comes to Florida and visits and he has so many allergies, to so many bugs I hate letting him go out in the evening.
This would be something to try on him to see if it would allow him some nice summer evenings outdoors.
Thank you so much for giving me the chance to win.
Citrinella candles and Listerine in a spray bottle, which is great around the patio but not helpful when hiking on the trail.
We use Avon Skin so Soft!
I uaually try to use anything without deet for my 2 year old. She gets horrible bug bites.
I try to use Citronella candles whenever we’re outside…but they don’t always work! I would love to try this product on my daughter…thanks!
took myt grandkids to the amazon last summer and found some great bug repellant that was non toxic and worked great – got it at a camping store in the mall but for the life of me I cant recall the name!!!!!
We use OFF, but I would like to switch to a safe effective product.
We are using Citronella candles and Off insect repellant.
off
we use off
we use those candles that keep the bugs away, i have no idea what kind they are, but they don’t work, haha!
I use (very sparingly) Avon’s Skin So Soft bug repellent. I’m afraid to use that and I would love to try this, it sounds much safer!
The last thing we used were the wipes they make. They didn’t seem to do so well and now my 2 year old is picking at all those nasty little bites. I have resorted to putting bandaids over top of them.
We usually use the Skin So Soft line from Avon. My daughter suffers badly from mosquito bites too. Last fall she was bitten on her face, and both sides puffed up so bad it looked like she had an allergic reaction
These products look great, would love to try them!
I don’t use bug repelant on my grandkids…
I just keep them inside in the late afternoon
and evening. Would LOVE to try this product.
We usually just use bug spray.
I just stay inside during dusk to dawn.
Avon came out with an insect repellent a few years back. It really works well. But, to be able to use an all natural product for the kids would be great!
OFF!
I use Skin So Soft (when I remember), avoiding spending time outdoors during evening to early morning hours whenever possible, and controlling mosquitoes (no standing water is our priority) and other insects – BUT it sometimes seems fruitless unless your neighbors are also making the effort. Thank you for such a useful giveaway.
I’ve been using an “all-natural” version of one of the national brands. But it smells horrible! And it’s so strong. It might repel bugs, but I’m pretty sure it repels people too.
We use children’s OFF.
We use Skin So Soft, but the smell can be pretty strong to take
skin so soft from avon has always worked for me
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