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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 Jayden, 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 Jayden 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 Jayden 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!
Filed in: Giveaways, Green Things, Health & Safety, Product Buzz
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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
[...] for visiting! But there ain’t no bugs on Paula Harmon and Pamela White, the winners of the Hugs, Not Bugs! Giveaway! Congratulations you two, we’ll be in contact with both of you [...]