The best bug repellents for kids contain either DEET (up to 30%), picaridin, or IR3535 as their active ingredient. All three are registered with the EPA for use on children and provide meaningful protection against mosquitoes and ticks. Which one you choose depends largely on your child’s age, how long they’ll be outside, and your comfort level with each formula.
DEET: The Most Studied Option
DEET has been used since the 1950s and remains the benchmark against which other repellents are measured. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that products used on children contain no more than 30% DEET. A 10% concentration protects for roughly two hours, while 30% extends that to about five hours. You don’t need to go higher than 30% for kids, and higher concentrations don’t repel bugs better; they just last longer.
DEET is safe for children older than 2 months when applied correctly. For babies younger than 2 months, no chemical repellent should be used at all. Parents of newborns and premature infants should be especially cautious. Apply DEET to your own hands first, then rub it onto your child’s exposed skin, avoiding the eyes, mouth, and any cuts or irritated areas. Don’t let young children apply it themselves, and wash it off once they come indoors.
Picaridin: Odorless and Non-Greasy
Picaridin is the most popular alternative to DEET and is widely used in Europe and Australia. It works just as well as DEET at comparable concentrations but doesn’t have the strong smell or oily feel that some parents dislike. It also won’t damage plastics or synthetic fabrics, which DEET can do (think watch bands, sunglasses, rain jackets).
A 20% picaridin product provides protection similar to 20% DEET, lasting around five to eight hours for mosquitoes and up to eight hours for ticks. Lower concentrations (5 to 10%) wear off faster and need reapplication after a couple of hours. There is no specific minimum age restriction set by the AAP for picaridin beyond the general 2-month cutoff that applies to all chemical repellents, making it a practical choice for older infants and toddlers. Look for it in spray or lotion form rather than aerosol, since sprays are easier to control around small faces.
IR3535: A Gentler Alternative
IR3535 is the active ingredient in several family-friendly repellent lines, including Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard. At a 20% concentration, it protects against common mosquito species for roughly 7 to 10 hours, though protection time varies by mosquito type. Against certain tropical species, it lasts closer to four hours, so it’s not the best pick for travel to areas where malaria is a concern.
IR3535 has a good overall safety profile. Animal studies have not shown developmental toxicity, and it’s been used in Europe for decades. The main drawback is that it’s a serious eye irritant, so extra care is needed when applying it near a child’s face. Use your hands rather than a spray for the face and forehead area, and keep the product well away from the eyes.
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus: Not for Young Kids
Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) is the only plant-based repellent that the CDC recognizes as effective against mosquitoes. It performs comparably to low-concentration DEET products, offering about two hours of protection at standard formulations. However, both the AAP and the CDC say not to use products containing OLE or its synthetic version (PMD) on children younger than 3 years old. For kids over 3, it’s a reasonable option for short outdoor outings like a trip to the park, though it needs more frequent reapplication than DEET or picaridin.
Other “natural” repellents made from citronella, soybean oil, or essential oil blends are not EPA-registered and typically provide 20 minutes of protection or less. They’re not reliable choices when mosquitoes or ticks pose a real health risk.
Protecting Babies Under 2 Months
No chemical repellent should go on a baby younger than 2 months. Instead, use physical barriers. Dress your baby in lightweight long sleeves and long pants, and drape a mosquito net over the carrier, car seat, or stroller. Mosquito netting with fine mesh (the kind sold for cribs and strollers) is effective and allows airflow. Avoid being outside during peak mosquito hours, which are dawn and dusk. If you’re in tick country, stick to paved paths and check your baby’s skin carefully afterward.
Permethrin on Clothing and Gear
Permethrin is not a skin repellent. It’s applied to clothing, shoes, and gear, where it kills ticks and mosquitoes on contact. You can buy pre-treated clothing or spray your child’s clothes yourself and let them dry completely before wearing. Treated clothing remains effective through several washes. Permethrin is especially useful for kids who spend time in wooded or grassy areas where ticks are common, because it provides a second layer of defense alongside a skin-applied repellent. Always follow the product label, and never apply permethrin directly to skin.
How to Apply Repellent Safely
Apply repellent only to exposed skin and the outside of clothing. Never put it under clothing, on cuts, or on sunburned skin. For a child’s face, spray it onto your hands first and then carefully rub it on, steering clear of the eyes, nose, and mouth. Don’t apply to a child’s hands, since kids frequently touch their faces and put their fingers in their mouths. When your child comes back inside, wash treated skin with soap and water.
If you’re also using sunscreen, apply the sunscreen first and let it absorb, then put the repellent on top. Sunscreen needs reapplication every two hours, but repellent generally doesn’t need it that often. Avoid combination sunscreen-repellent products for this reason: you’ll end up applying more repellent than necessary every time you reapply sunscreen. Use separate products and follow each one’s reapplication schedule independently.
Choosing the Right Concentration
Higher concentrations don’t repel more effectively. They last longer. Match the concentration to how long your child will be outside:
- Under 2 hours outdoors: 10% DEET, 5 to 10% picaridin, or OLE (if over age 3) will cover a playground visit or a short hike.
- 2 to 5 hours outdoors: 15 to 30% DEET or 20% picaridin handles a full afternoon at camp, a sports tournament, or a long hike without reapplication.
- All-day outdoor activity: 20% picaridin or 20% IR3535 both offer extended protection. Pair with permethrin-treated clothing for the strongest defense in tick-heavy areas.
For most everyday situations, a 15 to 20% picaridin spray or a 20 to 30% DEET lotion covers what families need. Picaridin tends to win on wearability (no smell, no greasy residue), while DEET has the longest track record and widest availability. Either is a solid choice for children over 2 months old.