What's the controversy? I know people call it a "poison" but hasn't it been used for many of years without anything serious happening? We have mosquitoes BAD. I mean.... really, really bad. From far away Kaitlyn looks like she has chicken pox. I don't even let her outside much. They are getting inside. We get bit in our sleep and I don't know how they are getting in unless they follow us in. So I went and bought some OFF at the store. I've read about other "safer" things to use but their effects aren't as great as using a product with DEET in it. I'm sick of taking chances. We've had both birds and mosquitoes test positive for West Nile on base. I know the virus is becoming more common, at least around her it seems. No people cases (yet) but it's here. Most of the base is also a wildlife preservation which I can only imagine is the reason why we can't get rid of the mosquitoes. I hate this!!! Gross!

By Colette on Friday, August 15, 2008 - 03:34 pm:

Try just spraying the kid's clothing and shoes and see if that helps. I wouldn't take the chance w/EEE and West Nile. We test positive every year and 2 yrs ago the police chiefs 20yr old dd got either EEE or West Nile - I can't remember which now - and died from it.

By Tayjar on Friday, August 15, 2008 - 04:20 pm:

All of our experts in Central Illinois recommend using a spray with DEET. We have several cases of west nile reported each year and even some deaths. I don't let my kids go out without spraying some on them.

By Trina~moderator on Friday, August 15, 2008 - 04:57 pm:

I've read products with no more than 7% of DEET are OK for kids. I can't remember the source, but I researched bug repellants because both my kids have allergic reactions to bug bites. We've tried different things, but the DEET (7%) products are the only ones that seem to work.

By Marcia on Friday, August 15, 2008 - 05:28 pm:

I put off on one of my daughters when she was a toddler, and she had something that looked an awful lot like a seizure. It was enough to scare me into never using it again.
On one of those email forwards of hints, I read that putting a Bounce sheet in your belt loop really works. It definitely does!! We've done lots of outdoor, woodsy activities, and have not had mosquito problems when wearing Bounce. Give it a try.

By Tonya on Friday, August 15, 2008 - 10:21 pm:

Go to Home Depot and look for this spray that you mix in a outdoor pumper bottle and you spray your entire yard around the ouside of our home and the outer rim of your yard it keeps the bugs away. We use it every week or so or after we cut the yard or it rains really hard.

Good luck.

We also have a spary can of Off with Deet it is 45% Deet and they eat through that when they feel like it.

By Mrs_B on Friday, August 15, 2008 - 10:36 pm:

That you all for your advice. I think these mosquitoes are going to drive me insane this summer!

By Tayjar on Friday, August 15, 2008 - 11:00 pm:

Ok. My DD just reminded me of this. Go to Wal-Mart and get some cheap vanilla body spray. It is supposed to work. That's what all of the summer softball teams wear around here and the girls swear by it.

By Karen~admin on Saturday, August 16, 2008 - 10:07 am:

Avon Skin-So-Soft is supposed to work really well agianst mosquitoes. Down here in the swamps, a LOT of people use that.

By Mrs_B on Saturday, August 16, 2008 - 11:19 am:

Vanilla spray? Really? I've heard that mosquitoes are attracted to flowery and sweet scents. I know I am more prone to get attacked after I put on scented body lotion.

Karen- I've heard about skin so soft. I'm going to ask an avon lady near me if she has any samples.

Thanks!