Insect Bites and Stings
Part 2: Prevention of Insect Bites and Stings

Updated November 23, 2003

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To help prevent your child from getting bitten or stung by insects, you can:

Make sure to keep as much of her skin covered with clothing as possible, including a long sleeve shirt, long pants, socks, and a hat.
Wear light colored clothing, so as not to attract bugs.
Avoid using any scented soaps or other products on your baby, since the fragrances can also attract insects.
Use an insect repellent regularly. Commonly used insect repellents that can usually be safely used in children include those with less than 10% Deet, or others with citronella or soybean oil.
Apply insect repellents to clothing instead of to skin so that it won't be absorbed.
Wash off insect repellents as soon as possible.
Follow the instructions, including age restrictions on any insect repellent you are considering using.
Avoid areas where insects nest.
Do daily tick checks of your child's body when he has a possible exposure, especially when camping or hiking, so as to prevent tick borne diseases, such as Lyme disease.
Remember that insect repellents do not protect against most stinging insects, including wasps, bees and fire ants.
Use window and door screens to prevent insects from getting inside your house.