Summer means tropical drinks and trips to the beach with your family. But the season also comes with a few irritating things, such as pests. In fact, mosquito-borne diseases have become more common over the last few years, which explains the need for mosquito protection from them is that much more important now. In summer, it is common to go for family outings, but the most basic thing is that you keep your windows open for keeping the house airy. This results in the mosquitoes invading your territory. If you are tired of them, then this article is for you. In this article, we will discuss 11 safest ways to protect your kids from mosquitoes.
The Rise in Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Combinations of things are to be blamed, including the fact that mosquitoes are expanding into new areas. Places with tropical climates are more prone to these pests than colder or comparatively cooler areas. Add to that the fact that garbage disposal is a serious issue in a lot of places, which serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests. The worst part is that compared to other pests, it is extremely difficult to get rid of mosquitoes because they come in swarms, Hence, this leads to the rise in mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, malaria, etc.
Increased travel has also helped some of these diseases spread, especially when it comes to mosquitoes. For instance, the Zika virus, a disease that can cause a fever, rash, and joint pain and have been linked to birth defects in newborns was not well known in the world until recent years. The same goes for chikungunya, a mosquito-borne disease that can cause a fever, joint pain, muscle pain, and rash. However, our awareness of mosquito-borne illnesses has also increased over the last few years, which has led to increased testing. So some of the increase in this collective awareness could just be coming from patients as well as doctors getting better at identifying cases that would have previously gone undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.
11 Tips to Protect Your Kids from Mosquito Bites
Use Mosquito Medication
Use mosquito medication on kids when they go outdoors. Mosquitoes don’t just live in the forests and brushy areas. They can live in your yard and most of the times, even in your home. Your kids can be affected and it can be pretty difficult to diagnose, so just make sure that you apply proper medication on kids while taking them out. Also, make sure that you take them out at a time when there is the least probability of encountering mosquitoes.
Apply Mosquito Repellent
If you’re going into a bushy area or the woods, make everyone including your kids wear the kind of mosquito repellent that contains 20 percent or more DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 on exposed skin. Wearing repellents is important, especially wearing good quality mosquito repellents. This is because these repellents will protect your skin from mosquitoes bites, as they are supposed to ward the mosquitoes off with their smell and taste.
Tucking Pants into Socks
Make your kids tuck their pants into their socks to lower the odds of a mosquito biting their legs. It is not a perfect measure, but it is mostly effective and atleast you will be able to protect their legs.
Taking a Shower
When your kid gets indoors, make them bath or shower as soon as you can. This increases the odds that you’ll wash off the irritation caused by mosquito bites. Do a full-body check for the bites, and don’t forget to inspect crevices like their groin.
Wash Clothes with Hot Water
Inspect your kids’ things and always wash their clothes with hot water, followed by drying their clothes to make sure that no mosquitoes or larvae are inside.
Wearing Long Pants and Long Sleeves
Whenever your kids go outside, try to cover the exposed parts of their skin by making them wear long pants and long sleeves. If they’re going into an area infamous for mosquito menace, then try wearing light-colored clothes. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors.
Spray Bug Repellent in Your House
Of course, that can be tricky in the summer heat, which is why bug repellent is the key. Buy a nice repellent that you can easily spray in your house without the risk of affecting your kids or anyone. There are many non-polluting repellents available in the market.
Use Fans
Use a floor fan or a ceiling fan whenever you and your kids are sitting outside on a porch or deck. Mosquitoes are weak fliers and therefore cannot fly against the air current produced by fans.
Hygiene
Mosquitoes like to breed in standing water, so try to clean up toys and other items outside that may be collecting water. Mosquitoes can lay their eggs in them, even in a bottle cap if it’s sitting in your yard.
Restrict the Entry
Close gaps in your windows, walls, doors, and screens to help keep mosquitoes from getting into your house.
It’s obviously difficult to stick with all of these. So, try to do your best (especially if you’re going into areas where you know you’re likely to encounter mosquitoes). However, if you happen to get sick and you suspect it had to do with a mosquito, definitely let your doctor know.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6034598/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5198200/
Hope this article was of help for all our parents!! Please share your comments/queries/tips with us and help us create a world full of Happy and Healthy Babies!!
