Home Pack This! Pack This! DEET-free mosquito repellent wipes that work for the whole family

Pack This! DEET-free mosquito repellent wipes that work for the whole family

by Shelly Rivoli
Ticks, biting flies, mosquitoes be warned: this mom’s in no mood for shenanigans.

From our first camping trips with our firstborn–and when we soon after hauled her off to southeast Asia at 7 months old, right up to our recent travels in Costa Rica with our third toddler in tow, I know that finding a DEET-free mosquito repellent that’s safe to use on babies and young children remains as important an issue for those of us taking the kids on a hike in the tick-riddled hills near home as for those heading off to camp at the lake–or hike near the big volcano.

I’ve been a fan of DEET-free BiteBlocker products, as many of you know, including the lotion that is often far more preferable for rubbing on bare baby legs and arms than dousing the little one with a cloud of spray. Last summer, I tried Quantum Buzz Away Extreme spray on myself and the kids and had good results–and I have to say I liked the natural hint O’cedar aroma to boot.*
For our Costa Rica trip, their individually wrapped Quantum Buzz Away Extreme “wipes” were perfect for slipping into the side pocket of my daypack to have along in case needed during hikes–without adding the weight of a bottle of insect repellent (it was usually daypack + water, or toddler, or all three).
It was also nice to be able to pack some mosquito repellent I knew would neither leak in our suitcase during any of five flights. What I found I liked best about them was the very liberal coverage they seemed to provide on my toddlers limbs, cheeks, forehead… without any spray to get into the eyes. And all without the weight of an extra tube of repellent lotion that would last the entire trip.

When I saw there is also a glorious family-size pop-up canister of these wipes available, I couldn’t help but think this is the perfect centerpiece for our picnic table the next time we camp in Yosemite Valley in early summer. While that’s not where we’re headed this camping trip, some remaining Buzz Away Extreme wipes are already in my backpack.

For those who are interested, I cover the topic of “Managing Mosquitoes” in detail in Travels with Baby, including important considerations about malaria and young children and the use of anti-malarial drugs in both children and breastfeeding women. You’ll also find tips on finding less risky zones for travel and finding fewer mosquitoes altogether, plus more DEET-free ways to protect your baby from mosquito-borne illness during travel.

You might also like:

Eleven DEET-Free Ways to Help Prevent Mosquito Bites

Pack This! The camping fence for toddlers

How to Plan Your Best Vacation with Baby

Pack This! The ultimate travel pants for mom (with insect shield)

Review of Curry Village Tent Cabins at Yosemite National Park

Quicklist for camping with babies and toddlers

Safe journeys,

Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning Travels with Baby guidebooks

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Curious about this content? See my editorial content disclosure.

* In case you’re wondering, I’ve paid for all my insect repellents (and there have been many) out of my own pocket. As always, my opinions remain my own. And as always, use products according to the manufacturer’s instructions and with a healthy dose of common sense.

All content of this blog (c) Shelly Rivoli

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