Mosquitos

[Sunchimes]

We are having a terrible time with mosquitos around here. I have patrolled our yard to make sure there is absolutely no standing water. We have a vacant house next door (been vacant for the entire 8 years we've lived here). We even went in their yard and searched front and back for standing water without finding anything. I suspect that the gutters on the side next to our house are filled with debris and a little water is standing there because there are plants growing in the gutter.

Anyway, is there anything I can safely use on the kids to repel them? (I would clear it with the parents of course.) The kids are 20 months and 4 months.

[Blackcat31]

well since mosquitoes are the state bird here..... I have personally seen people use fabric softner sheets (rub on skin or tuck into clothing), Skin-So-Soft from Avon, citronella bracelets and a whole bunch of things that are more wives' tales than not IMHO.

We use regular old bug repellant (with Deet) here.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recommended that DEET
not be used on children younger than 2 months of age.1 The AAP has also
recommended that DEET should be applied no more than one time per day
for children older than two months, and that products should be used on
children that have the lowest DEET concentration available. The AAP has
cautioned parents not to use DEET on the hands of children and to avoid
applying it to areas around children’s eyes and mouths

There are however, several Deet-free repellants available too. (I personally don't think they work as well) I ask parents to supply bug spray IF they wish for their child to use it. I have them sign off on the application and also have them fill out a form stating which kind they bought and how and how often they want me to apply it. If not, their child gets no protection from mosquitoes.

[Crystal]

I would look up Vector Control in your area. Here they will come out and spray if needed, if there is a pond/creek/etc nearby they will release mosquito eating fish , etc. for free. Let them know it is severe and that you have a daycare so they make you a priority.

[Kaddidle Care]

I have heard that Bounce dryer sheets help if you attach it to your belt.

We have horrible mosquitos here too. Our yard is quite shady and I think that's why because people that don't have a lot of shade in their yards don't seem to have the problem.

One thing that does work (but you have to be really careful around the kids) is a nice big box fan. You blow the little buggers away! It might work if you could put the fan in a big dog crate - some sort of barrier so that none of the littles poke their fingers in at the fan.

If you've ever noticed - there are rarely mosquitos around on breezy days because of this. They are light and airy - moving air sends them away.

[Sunchimes]

@Blackcat-Thank you for the information. I was going to google, but that wouldn't tell me what other daycares do about the problem. I'll shop around for some tomorrow.

@Chrystal-We don't have such things in this small town. We consider ourselves lucky to get regular trash pick up.

@Kadiddle--A fan is a good idea. I need to ponder a way to do that.

Thanks everyone!

[Sugar Magnolia]

Blackcat: "state bird" :: :: :: right on! That is what we call them on FL too! I also use deet products on the 3 and up crowd, cutter "naturals" on the littles. Avon skin so soft too!