Safest Bug Sprays for Your Kids: Protect Against West Nile and More
Find out what insect repellents are safe to use on your children to help protect them against West Nile Virus.
By: Lindsay Hutton
In this article, you will find:
How to Protect Against West Nile
Safest Bug Sprays for Your Kids: Protect Against West Nile and More
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a potentially serious illness that is spread through mosquitoes, and is a particular threat during the summer and fall months in North America. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using insect repellents approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help keep mosquitoes at bay and to prevent the spread of this illness. But can you use them safely on your kids?The EPA has identified four EPA-registered products that provide enough protection to help prevent bites from WNV-carrying insects, and it deems each of these ingredients safe for children. The higher the concentration of an active ingredient, the longer the protection lasts. However, the CDC has found that concentrations higher than 30 percent do not offer a marked increase in protection time, and lower concentrations are typically safer for kids.