Mosquitoes at My Home Bothering DCB

[Baby Beluga]

Definitely I can move on. But the other kids don't have issues. So ... I'm losing out on money since all of his tuition would be paying for mosquito spray.

I checked into the foggers - the cheaper options - they don't last more than a day or two.

I just re-read that and I hope I didn't sound snarky. I just meant that we all have our buttons and when a parent pushes them it can be hard to move on from it. I hope that makes sense

If it is just him, rather then lose out on money I would just chalk it up to not being a good fit and allow mom to dis-enroll if she would like.

[Unregistered]

Breathing, breathing ... No, I definitely don't like being made to feel like I am being threatened. Even nicely

Its a health and safety issue. Mosquitos carry disease including West Nile. I would have already pulled my child. If you dont want to put out the money to spray then tell her that its time to term.

[Blackcat31]

Its a health and safety issue. Mosquitos carry disease including West Nile. I would have already pulled my child. If you dont want to put out the money to spray then tell her that its time to term.

It isn't just the provider's house or the provider's responsibility.

Its a two way street.

What is daycare mom doing to prevent her child from being bitten? Is she applying bug spray? Is she dressing him appropriately? Is she SURE the bites come ONLY from the provider's house and not hers? Has she suggested contributing to the cost of spraying since it's only her child that is affected?

I get that mosquitos carry disease and other things but living where OP lives, the ONLY way to guarantee that mosquitos won't bite is to move to another state.



OP@ Maybe it's time to raise your rates so you can afford to spray. Wonder how much of a concern it would be then....

[midaycare]

Its a health and safety issue. Mosquitos carry disease including West Nile. I would have already pulled my child. If you dont want to put out the money to spray then tell her that its time to term.

Here is the rub. Yes, it's a health issue for dcb. But if I spray pesticides - which I am against (and so are many of my dcf's), then it is harmful to the other kids.

I know it's a debatable issue, but I believe pesticides are harmful. And there must be a reason they can't spray the area during hours. I mean, kids put everything in their mouths. Yum, would you like some pesticide with the grass in your mouth? I don't sit there and let them eat grass, btw. But kids put everything in their mouths.

And honestly, I'm not sure where she would go around here to get away from mosquitoes. It's impossible.

[childcaremom]

Here is the rub. Yes, it's a health issue for dcb. But if I spray pesticides - which I am against (and so are many of my dcf's), then it is harmful to the other kids.

I know it's a debatable issue, but I believe pesticides are harmful. And there must be a reason they can't spray the area during hours. I mean, kids put everything in their mouths. Yum, would you like some pesticide with the grass in your mouth? I don't sit there and let them eat grass, btw. But kids put everything in their mouths.

And honestly, I'm not sure where she would go around here to get away from mosquitoes. It's impossible.

I would not want to spray chemicals, either. Spoken as a mom of a child who reacts to all bites (not to mention that bugs like me, too).

You've received a lot of good advice on how to proceed but spraying would be a deal breaker for me. I would let her pull.

[childcaremom]

It isn't just the provider's house or the provider's responsibility.

Its a two way street.

What is daycare mom doing to prevent her child from being bitten? Is she applying bug spray? Is she dressing him appropriately? Is she SURE the bites come ONLY from the provider's house and not hers? Has she suggested contributing to the cost of spraying since it's only her child that is affected?

I get that mosquitos carry disease and other things but living where OP lives, the ONLY way to guarantee that mosquitos won't bite is to move to another state.



OP@ Maybe it's time to raise your rates so you can afford to spray. Wonder how much of a concern it would be then....

What does dcm do differently at home so little one doesn't get bit? Do they stay inside?

[Rockgirl]

I think you're right to be concerned about the pesticides. Sounds like you need to do what is right for you and your group, and let dcm do for her and her child.

[midaycare]

It isn't just the provider's house or the provider's responsibility.

Amen to this. Dcm wants him to go outside - I offered to keep him inside today - but she wants him to go out. He is getting bitten mostly on the face, because that is where he is exposed, but there is nowhere around here that he can go without mosquitoes. My home is in the woods, yes, but our entire area is covered with woods. We are known for our nature parks and trees as well as water. Dcb lives on a swamp. So ... I don't know. She can pull him, but that won't stop dcb from being bitten. I've been to their home. It's not much better than mine.


OP@ Maybe it's time to raise your rates so you can afford to spray. Wonder how much of a concern it would be then....

Yes, I did let dcm know the cost of the treatments and how it equaled dcb's tuition. She has not offered to help yet ...

[midaycare]

What does dcm do differently at home so little one doesn't get bit? Do they stay inside?

They have a very large screened in porch. I think that is his "outdoor time"!

Dcf is very protective, which I understand. They also work late, so time outside is limited to weekends. Grandma watches him Thursday-Friday, but there is no way she takes him outdoors. She's not terribly active.

[mommyneedsadayoff]

Yes, I did let dcm know the cost of the treatments and how it equaled dcb's tuition. She has not offered to help yet ...

And I doubt she will. Unless you ask her specifically, she will most likely expect you to do it and pull if you don't. I would let her go. Too much of a headache to deal with and with the area you live in, I doubt much other than very strong pesticides will work or help in any way. The bites are probably less harmful that the spray in the end. On a side note, she lives in a swampy area and does not have this issue?? That seems fishy to me, since mosquitoes are very strong near stagnant bodies of water.:confused:

[Leigh]

How long does that last for you?

It lasts 3-4 weeks. I even used this when I lived on the farm. The bugs were SO bad out there, and this kept them away from the house, and kept ticks away so our dogs didn't pick them up (the dogs' preventative meds didn't stop them from riding into the house on the dogs-ick). It's pretty cheap ($10 range). I spray it all over the yard, as high into the trees as I could reach, and even around the doors of my house and on the outdoor light fixtures.

[midaycare]

And I doubt she will. Unless you ask her specifically, she will most likely expect you to do it and pull if you don't. I would let her go. Too much of a headache to deal with and with the area you live in, I doubt much other than very strong pesticides will work or help in any way. The bites are probably less harmful that the spray in the end. On a side note, she lives in a swampy area and does not have this issue?? That seems fishy to me, since mosquitoes are very strong near stagnant bodies of water.:confused:

I think the difference is simply that I go outdoors.

[midaycare]

So I let dcm know I wouldn't spray due to the pesticide factor, and she and I can talk about terming if she would like.

I got an immediate text back saying, "Oh we really don't want to leave! Let me look into essential oils I can use."

So I guess next time I won't get all huffy in my brain about it. I've just never had a dcm or dcd threaten to pull over something. But I'm a newbie still ::

[Unregistered]

I had the same issue I bought bug nets $5 each for each child. When they are really bad then wear them. It protects the face and neck from being bit. I also bought a mosquito magnet $450 but it works wonders. We can actually enjoy our yard now.

[MyAngels]

I didn't read all replies, so I'm sure somebody already covered this, but I would let them go. Especially since he's part time. I would not be comfortable with the amount of pesticides needed to control the mosquitos if I lived in the woods. What about the other kids? What if they have a reaction to the pesticides? Also, what if, even after you spray, the little one gets another bite and it gets infected or causes other problems (West Nile Virus is a common worry here)? I just wouldn't feel comfortable taking on the additional liability in this situation.

I understand that this mother is worried, but if that's the case then she needs to find another care situation that better fits her needs. It's not personal against you I'm sure, it's just not a good fit.