Who doesn’t love spending quality time with your little ones outdoors in the warm summer air?
It doesn’t matter what your family loves the most: playing on the swings, swimming in the backyard pool, or doing storytime on the patio, these are the memories that will last a lifetime.
Do you remember when you first held your little one in your arms?
No matter where you were or what age that sweet angel was, all of a sudden, only one thing mattered. We now knew that our lives were dedicated to teaching, guiding, and nurturing our children (and cleaning up an insane amount of spills).
We love them unconditionally (no matter how crazy they might make us sometimes).
Our number one concern is keeping those little nuggets safe at all costs.
Piece of cake, right?
Wrong!
And anyone who tells you otherwise hasn’t experienced parenthood long enough. #SorryNotSorry
Go Outside and Play!
Parenting is no easy walk in the park and requires a real tough cookie to handle the job. A parent is selfless and vigilant at all times. They possess the ability to stay totally calm when your curious tot starts bringing creepy crawly bugs into the house (yep, it happens).
From the dirty diapers, sleepless nights, and temper tantrums to the good morning kisses, afternoon cuddles, and nighttime snuggles, you’ve been there for it all.
While parenting can certainly have its ups and downs, but there’s just something so sweet about seeing your little one run through sprinklers or climb up a tree.
Even if we have to yell, “Turn off the screen and go outside” a million times, we know our kids will remember those warm, balmy days with fondness as they age.
Outdoor play is extremely beneficial for a child’s development. However, when your little angel isn’t confined to the safety of the house, it’s of the utmost importance that you have enough caffeine flowing through your veins to ensure you’re on your A-game.
Why? Because believe it or not, in your very own backyard, you’ll find the world’s deadliest creature flying outside your windows in pretty much every continent and country on Earth.
Beware the Mosquito
No, we’re not talking about lions, tigers, or bears — what we’re referring to is the mosquito.
Shocked? We don’t blame you. Especially seeing as the little buggers can easily succumb to a flick of a finger. But, don’t let them fool you... despite their dainty bodies, mosquitoes are responsible for more than one million deaths every single year.
Now, to be clear, mosquitoes don’t kill in the same way that other animals do, and they certainly don’t seem like the monster that your child believes is hiding under their bed. This natural enemy doesn’t grow fangs or claws, and you’ll never find one trying to swallow a human whole.
You see, mosquitos are known carriers of many harmful diseases. When they bite a person or animal, they can easily transfer that disease as they suck blood. These mosquito-borne illnesses are deadly, which is why it’s critical to protect your family to prevent their bites as a form of disease control.
Wondering how to keep your kids safe and sound from the hungry pests? An outdoor mosquito repellent system can help — but which one is best?
We’ll tell you.
Read on as we explore the best outdoor system for mosquito control on the market for happy kids and itch-free days!
To Defeat the Mosquito, You First Must Become the Mosquito
Before we dive into the best product to combat the little suckers, it’s first important to understand how they hunt their prey and what attracts them.
Mosquitoes love people. Well, actually — they love warm-blooded animals in general. That’s specifically because the targeting sensors in their tiny noggins use the scent of carbon dioxide to help them track down their next meal.
Every time we exhale, our breath is basically a ringing dinner bell. But it isn’t just the carbon dioxide that attracts the hungry insects.
We have all heard about how these bugs are attracted to standing water, but that’s not all they look for.
That being said, here are a few things mosquitoes that mosquitoes love:
Type O Blood
If your kiddo happens to have Type O blood, they are almost twice as likely to lure in the icky insects than those with Type A blood. How does an itty-bitty insect know what type of blood your kid has?
Interestingly, 85 percent of people have chemical signals that release through the skin, revealing blood type — certain blood types are mosquito attractants. It’s like a scarier version of when you try to eat a bag of chips without your kid noticing: they still always manage to find you.
Carbon Dioxide
Chances are you’ve heard about man’s best friend having a dynamite sense of smell. Well, compared to a mosquito’s tiny sniffer, a dog’s nose is nowhere near as powerful. Unfortunately, it’s true: a mosquito can smell the carbon dioxide in your breath from almost 200 feet away.
That means if you’re running around outside with your youngster, the extra carbon dioxide (CO2) you exhale is like a neon sign pointing to your family.
Pregnant Mamas
Sorry, mamas — as if having a bun in the oven didn’t already come with enough uncomfortable side effects, pregnancy seems to make you much more appealing to mosquitoes.
Why? Researchers believe it’s because parents-to-be tend to exhale more carbon dioxide and typically have warmer bodies than those who are not pregnant.
What Is a Mosquito Repellent System?
Now that you understand what attracts mosquitoes, let’s talk about the best mosquito repellents, shall we?
In a nutshell, a mosquito repellent system is a device that repels mosquitoes to avoid itchy bug bites. While there are many different products that can help you to achieve this, the truth is that they are all not created equal.
On the flip side, you have mosquito killers that attract bugs in and act as a trap.
Today, arguably, the most popular way to keep the biting bugs from attacking is by using insecticides like DEET.
DEET: Not Neat
DEET is a synthetic chemical found in many bug sprays. Insects can’t stand the smell, so naturally, it keeps them far, far away. However, new research is beginning to emerge showing that this once-revered chemical is not so great after all.
When even just a fine mist of this insect repellent is left on the skin for extended periods of time, people can experience irritation, redness, swelling, and even a rash. Additionally, kids who have accidentally swallowed products containing DEET have experienced tummy troubles, nausea, and vomiting.
Add in the fact that DEET is known to melt plastic. We’d say this is one toxic chemical that shouldn’t be near our little one’s sensitive skin.
Another popular mosquito control system is the mosquito coil (similar to a bug zapper). This trap burns aromatic plant material, creating a thick smoke that deters insects. The problem?
Studies found that burning just one mosquito coil is equivalent to lighting up 75 to 137 cigarettes — and we don’t have to tell you how bad those are! As far as this mosquito trap goes, there are definitely better options for bug prevention.
So, what’s the best method to ward off a swarm of mosquitos, you ask?
With BuzzPatch — The Natural Way To Keep Mosquitoes Away!
The world’s #1 all-natural, non-spray shield to protect you and your family against mosquito bites, BuzzPatch is pure magic.
Made with all-natural essential oils that have been used for hundreds of years by indigenous communities to repel mosquitos, our plant-based repellent patches are chemical-free and safe for kids.
These patches are DEET-free, and one of the active ingredients is citronella (just like in that candle you love). As parents, we care about the world we’re leaving behind for the next generation, so our products are safe for the environment too.
Simply peel off a fun BuzzPatch sticker and place it on clothing nearest to the exposed body areas, and voila — your little one is ready for itch-free outdoor play — from the deck to the schoolyard to the wide-open acres.
A Sticker a Day To Keep Mosquitoes Away
To combat biting bugs and itchy bites, harsh chemicals and toxins are commonly used. These icky ingredients are not good for the body, especially for growing kids. That’s why we created BuzzPatch.
Our revolutionary repellent stickers are infused with kid-friendly essential oils that repel mosquitoes naturally. Gone are the days of sticky sprays, smelly repellents, and greasy skin.
With BuzzPatch, all you have to do is apply a fun sticker to your little ones' clothing: no mess, no fuss, no chemicals, and most importantly, no itchy mosquito bites.
Here at The Natural Patch Co., we pride ourselves on being a wellness company devoted to helping parent’s lives just a little bit easier. Being a parent can be tough. Keeping mosquitoes from nibbling on your kids, however, isn’t — thanks to BuzzPatch.
Sources:
6 reasons children need to play outside | Health Harvard
Fighting the World's Deadliest Animal | CDC
