Children are vulnerable to many types of harm. From home accidents and health issues to animal and insect attacks, there are many threats that pose harm to your child’s physical and mental health.
It is your duty as a parent to take necessary and practical steps to thwart these threats. Below, we highlighted tips on how parents can prevent one of the most common threats children face: insects.
Table of Contents
1. Buy non-toxic bug spray.
Many years back, we relied on stinky, toxic concoctions to ward off bugs, many of which probably caused more problems than they solved.
Today, thankfully, those concoctions are a thing of the past. Now, you can select from a panoply of harmless sprays, ranging from organic, herbal, or all-natural portions.
Be cautious when applying the spray to kids and babies, though. Ensure you study the label to ensure the product isn’t harmful to your child. Plus, don’t spray directly on your kid’s face.
2. Get a net
Is there a baby in the house? You can keep it safe from bugs by buying insect netting. This product, which can easily be draped over a stroller, car seat, or crib, will shield your baby from rampaging pests.
And if you plan on staying out for some time and your baby isn’t mobile, consider purchasing a pop-up tent. It doubles as a protective cover and a perfect nap tool.
3. Chase insects away from your home
Do you have pest issues in your home? Are you struggling with bugs, termites, scary spiders, roaches, mosquitoes, mice, rats, or other pests that pose a health risk to you and your kids?
Why not adopt effective measures to get rid of the menace?
Of course, you can DIY—it’s easy and probably less expensive. However, we recommend contacting pest control specialists, especially when things get out of hand.
Unlike you, pest control specialists have the tools and knowledge required to rid your home of pests. They can also offer advice on protecting your kids and preventing a recurrence. You can even find professionals who deal with certain types of pests, and know how to expertly remove ants, or cockroaches for example. Hiring Cockroach Control services can ensure that the job is completed thoroughly, by those who have had experience in dealing with these specific pests in the past.
4. Watch where your kids roam.
Kids, as we know, are usually adventurous and ignorant. While an adult would steer clear from a swarming bee hive or ant hill, some kids may want to explore, leading to severe consequences.
So, always try to keep your little ones away from the dwelling spots of dangerous insects, whether it is stinging bugs, ticks, chiggers, mosquitoes, etc.
You could also educate them on the importance of avoiding common dwelling areas of these harmful insects, such as wooden or weedy areas, standing water, etc.
5. Ensure they are well kitted
Bugs need access to your kid’s skin to inflict harm. Restrict their access, and your kids have nothing to worry about. However, you’ll leave your kids prone to dangerous insect attacks if you don’t.
You can protect your kid’s delicate skin by clothing them in long pants and shirts made from a tightly woven material. Ensure you tuck their pants into their socks, ensuring every inch from their waist down is covered. Plus, a hat with a brim can also be considered as they help protect your kid’s neck and ears.
6. Avoid peak times
To protect your little ones from ravenous pests, plan outings with the bug season in mind.
Do you intend on going on a vacation in April? You may want to reconsider or plan accordingly, as ticks are usually very active from April to September.
Mosquitoes, on the other hand, are dusk-to-dawn creatures. So if you intend to take your little one camping, ensure you plan for mosquitoes who are often out at night.
7. Bathe after bugs
Did you recently stroll with your kids in the woods or some grassy area? If so, there are chances that some ticks might have latched onto their clothes or skin. To discard these tiny insects, give your kid a good bath (do this within hours after you return home) and tumble dry their clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill bugs.
Bathing your kid won’t only help get rid of bugs, but it’ll also wash off bug spray you might have applied, thus reducing unnecessary exposure to those chemicals.
Conclusion
Unlike adults, kids are usually more prone to insect attacks, thanks to their ignorance and age. As their parents or guardian, it is your duty to always protect them.
Discourage them from roaming around insect-dwelling spots. Finally, educate them on the harm dangerous insects cause to ensure that they abide by your instructions even while you are away.
