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Original poster

DD keeps getting bitten by insects how can I prevent?

31 replies

EdwiniasRevenge · 21/05/2014 10:26

DD3 (8) seems to be a tasty target for insect bites. She always has. She'll often wake up with 4-5 new bites if I don't use an insect repellent in her bedroom.

I use a Raid repellent in her bedroom - except it has run out and haven't been able to replace it yet.

How can I protect her during the day when she is out and about. I've never used insect repellents before - and don't really want to be covering her in cream every day.

Just looking for general advice really.

OP posts:
highlighta · 21/05/2014 10:38

You can get some nice natural repellents that you could put on her most vulnerable spots. They usually contain citronella oil. I have made one up before as I just popped some drops into Vaseline and it worked quite well. But of course you wouldn't want that all over her body. So ankles, wrists those areas, should deter them.

Does she eat garlic? If you can add some garlic to her food they don't like the smell of it and usually steer well clear.

Instead of spraying her room, you could get a net to put over her bed. My dd loves her as she claims she had a princess bed then... Grin

TheTerribleBaroness · 21/05/2014 10:43

Agree with putting a net over the bed. Far easier and cheaper in the long run. We all have nets here.

Neem oil is also a good repellent, as is tea tree oil. I find using a tea tree shower gel helps too.

Wellwellwell3holesintheground · 21/05/2014 10:52

Eating marmite apparently helps.

Original poster
EdwiniasRevenge · 21/05/2014 10:56

She eats loads of garlic....hmm.

the repellent in her bedroom is a block repellent not a spray so happy with that.

she just gets so many and reacts to them more and more each year :(

It is mainly her ankles; sometimes her arms and back of neck and shoulders. I shall investigate.

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 21/05/2014 11:02

Try the allergy syrups, they may reduce reaction to the bites, so less inflammation and itching.

You are sure it is gnats or similar, not cat fleas or something?

Original poster
EdwiniasRevenge · 21/05/2014 11:13

Definitely not fleas - we don't have pets.

and only really a summer problem.

I do use anti histamines when she has several bites. Looking for prevention really.

OP posts:
RonSwansonsLushMoustache · 21/05/2014 11:14

The most effective repellent we have ever used is Avon Skin So Soft dry oil spray. It kept mosquitoes the size of light aircraft away in the south of France last year. And I imagine it's fairly harmless chemicals-wise.

Do check it's not fleas though. We've had a terrible problem with them recently - despite having no pets. DS has been bitten a lot. He had so many at one point that we actually thought he had chicken pox, bless him.

Anyway we've sprayed all the carpets and upholstery, washed bedding and thrown a rug away and there have been no more bites yet.

Wellwellwell3holesintheground · 21/05/2014 12:07

We had fleas and no pets as well. We lived in a basement flat - they were living in the carpet and appeared in the hot weather. We treated it and they went.

cazakstan · 21/05/2014 14:06

Avon skin so soft..brilliant stuff. You can just rub a little on her arms and legs before she goes to bed. We never get bitten whist using this.

Rommell · 21/05/2014 14:11

Could also be bed bugs, especially if they're only appearing in the summer and overnight. But fleas also sounds likely if it's mostly on her ankles. You can tread fleas in from outside. Bed bugs you can pick up from hotel rooms and the like - they crawl into your clothes/suitcase etc. She might just be very unlucky or very nice-tasting but I would go to the GP and see if they can recognise what it is that's biting her.

ThatBloodyWoman · 21/05/2014 14:11

Yep.
Avon skin so soft.

We get lots of midges as we are near water.

Obvious, but as soon as it is dark, close all windows.
If you have any water butts or vessels with water in the garden, either empty or cover.
Citronella candles if outdoors.

QueenofallIsee · 21/05/2014 14:12

Another nod for Avon Skin So Soft - better than any repellant we have tried

OneEggIsAnOeuf · 21/05/2014 15:06

How does the Avon Skin So Soft do against bigger things like horseflies?

I have a natural citronella-based spray repellent that i use for outdoors. It is effective, but isn't suitable for use under clothes so horseflies, who are my particular nemesis, still bite through the fabric. Concentrated deet does work on clothes, but it is evil stuff and i don't really like using it.

Night time has improved immensely since putting bug screens up on the open windows - we're next to a farm so get a lot of flies, and the screens keep everything out.

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 21/05/2014 15:13

www.amazon.co.uk/Gotcha-FLEA-KILLER/dp/B0013K5AL0/ref=tag_stp_s2_edpp_url

Get one of these (or make your own - google home made flea trap), plug it in for a few nights and see what pops up. Sadly you don't need to have animals at all and the bites are consistent with the little sods.

Neals Yard do a spray citronella insect repellent which I found to be v good

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 21/05/2014 15:14

You can also get fleas in your garden too.

ppeatfruit · 21/05/2014 17:19

One of the best treatments (not repellents though) is aloe vera gel it's fantastic and so gentle. I use neem oil as a repellent which works for a while but the little bugxxxs get used to it.

I agree with some of the ops who say you can get fleas in your house without pets.

ppeatfruit · 21/05/2014 17:20

I used a pyrethrum (natural) spray against cat fleas it works really well.

unlucky83 · 21/05/2014 18:26

It isn't necessarily that insects love biting your DD - more that she reacts to the bites...
Horseflies used to 'love' me - and I'd be covered in bites...whereas when our cats had fleas my sister was the early warning signal - loads of bites and I wouldn't have one - probably did get bitten but just don't react ...(Also if you don't have a pet they are more likely to bite humans...rather than preferred animal )

Does she get bitten much out and about?

And fleas not nec your ankles - just usually cos that is jumping height as you walk along - if you lay down with them you'd get them anywhere...

DD2 had bites on her hand and wrist - a line of 4 or so and I wondered if it was chicken pox - but thought more likely flea bites (we have a cat though) - I was embarrassed taking her into nursery saying - I hope these are flea bites but...Blush

Would check out for fleas ...and keep window closed/net over it (will come into the light), net the bed ...poor thing

I have noticed I now am a midge attractor - if I have been around them I don't get big lumps - occasionally little bumps and just get generally itchy -mainly on exp[osed area - my head/hair Sad - drives me insane...

TSSDNCOP · 21/05/2014 19:53

Can someone do a link to the Avon stuff please? There's no repellent on their on line shop.

cazakstan · 21/05/2014 20:00

TSSDNCOP Skin so Soft isn't listed as a repellant. It's body wash, moisturiser, oil spray and hand cream. It's usually on special offer and available in various fragrances. Apparently the british troops use it to ward off bites whilst on tours. Fantastic stuff and I find it works much better than Deet.

TSSDNCOP · 21/05/2014 20:07

Ah oh thank you wise Cazakstan

Purchasing now, I'm a mozzies favourite dinner

Eleventy billion Biscuit of these is not a good look Sad

OhYouBadBadKitten · 21/05/2014 20:24

Bog myrtle soap is quite good for me. Must buy some more, my knees are all bitten atm.

TittyNotSusan · 21/05/2014 21:12

Does the Skin so soft work on mosquitoes in the tropics? I've used it for midges before and it was brilliant, but not sure if it's as effective against the mossies?

Is it this one?

I bought the wrong one once, a white cream spray, and it wasn't as good.

PoppadomPreach · 21/05/2014 21:50

plug-in mosquito repellent

(Link is to ocado website)

BerylStreep · 21/05/2014 23:46

unlucky83 bites in a row usually indicate bed bugs.

I seem to remember that vitamin B helps repel insects. Will try to find a link.