Ahh, summer. Trips to the beach, weekends at the pool, backyard barbecues … and mosquitoes. Why do they seem to love your kids so much, and how can you protect them?
If you suspect that your mini-me’s are prone to mosquito bites more than other kids, you might be right. Jim Fredericks, PhD, chief entomologist at the non-profit National Pest Management Association, says some people’s scents are more attractive to the blood-sucking insects.
There’s been considerable research devoted to why mosquitoes like some of us better. What’s known for sure is that DNA plays a big part, says Joseph M. Conlon, technical advisor for the Mount Laurel-based American Mosquito Control Association.
The summer pests are especially fond of us after we’ve worked up a good sweat. “Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide when we exhale,” says Fredericks. “After exercise, our respiratory rate increases, as do certain odors in our sweat. They’re also attracted to heat—since humans are warm-blooded animals, we’re an ideal host.” What’s more, when we’re particularly hot or have just finished working out, our blood is closer to the skin’s surface, which is how mosquitoes figure out where to bite us.
Other chemicals emitted by the body, including estrogen-related compounds, lactic and uric acid, cholesterol and steroids can lure the insects over to make a meal out of your child. Even dark-coloredoutfits combined with a lot of moving around render certain kids more attractive than those wearing lighter shades and staying idle for longer.
MOSQUITO-PROOF YOUR HOME
While it’s virtually impossible to keep mosquitoes out of your yard entirely, there are ways you can protect your family.
One of the most important things you can do, says Conlon, is get rid of any puddles, pools or other stagnant water in your yard. “Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, so it’s crucial to empty flower pots, cans, bottles and toys,” he says. He recommends wiping down toys that have been left outside on the lawn with a clean, dry cloth, as some types of mosquitoes lay eggs above the water line.
It doesn’t take a lot of water for mosquitoes to multiply and become a real problem. “Even something as small as a bottle cap filled with water can provide a breeding ground,” cautions Fredericks. “Once exposed to water, the eggs hatch almost immediately, and larvae can mature in a week or less.” Some types of mosquitoes can lay 100 to 200 eggs at a time.
Conlon also offers these suggestions to keep your environment bug-free:
• Trim tall weeds and bushes, since that’s where mosquitoes like to hang out.
• Inspect screens on your doors and windows for any holes and patch them up.
• Install yellow bug lights, which repel the pests.
• Put a small fan on your deck or patio, away from children. Mosquitoes are weak flyers and the stiff breeze will keep them at bay.
• Buy mosquito-repelling candles and set them around your patio, porch, yard, deck or entryway.
MOSQUITO-PROOF YOUR KIDS
The best defense, according to Fredericks, is to dress kids in long sleeves and pants. If it’s too hot outside, use insect repellents registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
“If you see EPA-REG on the container, you know the product has been proven to work and it’s not harmful to people or the environment,” he says. The active ingredients should be DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, picaridin and IR3535.
Dr. Srividya Naganathan, a diplomate to the American Board of Pediatrics and a member of the editorial board of NJ Pediatrics, says that while DEET has been proven safe for children older than two months, she doesn’t recommend using it or picaridin on babies under six months old. Dr. Naganathan, a pediatrician at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, also doesn’t suggest using oil of lemon eucalyptus on little ones younger than three. Citronella oil has been deemed to be a safe, natural insect repellent for adults and kids by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“When applying repellent on their child, parents should spray the product on their own hands first,” not directly on the child, she says. Babies’ hands and feet shouldn’t be sprayed with DEET products, since they frequently put little toes and fingers in their mouths. Children’s clothing can be treated, though. Pro tip: Trim their nails so they can’t scratch enough around the bite to break the skin and get an infection. And cover strollers and cribs with mosquito netting for another line of defense.
SHOULD YOU WORRY ABOUT ZIKA?
Mosquitoes aren’t just annoying—they can carry dangerous diseases like West Nile and Zika. Zika has been linked to thousands of serious birth defects in Brazil and elsewhere overseas, and is causing angst amongst pregnant women everywhere. So far, the mosquitoes that carry the virus aren’t the ones we see in New Jersey. And there have been no widespread mosquito-borne virus outbreaks in the United States—there are only four recorded cases of Zika in NJ, three of them in adults who traveled abroad and the other in a baby born to one of them. As a result, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is advising expectant moms to avoid going to countries where the virus is active. (Check cdc.gov for the latest).
While experts agree that mosquitoes can pose a danger, they differ on whether the United States is primed for any outbreaks. “Although there have been some sporadic cases of West Nile in the US, it’s not a significant public health issue,” Dr. Naganathan says. Still, parents’ best bet is to keep their kids from getting bitten. If your child does get a bite, Naganathan suggests applying Aveeno or calamine lotion on it to minimize itching, but advises staying away from topical steroids. “If there are multiple bites and your child is scratching, you can try an oral antihistamine such as Zyrtec, Claritin or Benedryl,” she says. Always check with your pediatrician before giving your kid any over-the-counter remedy you haven’t tried before.
Just remember: Mosquitoes have been around for ages, so don’t panic. If you take these precautions to protect your family, your kids will get through the summer in one piece—even if they are among the “lucky ones” who attract mosquitoes the most.
