Safe mosquito repellent while pregnant?

[~Adorkable~]

so I'm currently 8 weeks and later this month I will be spending a few weeks at a festival in the woods that is known for Mosquitos, yuck. Usually it is the one time a year that I use a pretty nasty product, I often put high %DEET on my clothing and hair and sometimes on my arms. Yucky but it works.

I certainly don't feel comfortable doing that, specially not in the 1st trimester.

My experience with tons of "natural" options is that they don't work in this place were we are so badly out numbered by the little buggers. It being a very crunchy festival, it's a constant discussion around there as to what works and what doesn't.

I've been wondering about the ones that you clip on and have a fan, it's not getting on your skin, but ugh what would I be breathing in?


Any thought?

[splath]

I make my own with this EO blend: http://www.oregontrailsoaps.com/prod...ail.php?id=321 and olive oil in a spray bottle. It works great. I believe this should be a good alternative if you don't make your own:
http://hyenacart.com/prod_details.php?id=27387&vid=668

A component in catnip EO was proven to work better than deet

[peainthepod]

California Baby Citronella Spray works for us. They make a citronella sunblock too.

[lilmiss'mama]

I just bought the girls some "extra strength" natural repellent from whole foods today. There is soybean oil, cintronella, geranium, lemongrass, castor oil, cedarwood oil, & peppermint in it. It says it can work for 4-8 hours...I have to say I'm a little skeptical, but we'll see. They spend time in the midwest during the summer & the mosquitos love my little one.
The brand is Buzz Away if you want to check it out.

[luv-my-boys]

I swear by California baby's insect repellent spray. Were from the south were literally mosquitos are HUGE plus annoying and constantly there for months. I really dont want to spray the boys off with chemicals but really where were at its from a health standpoint not to be bitten from mosquitoss (mosquitos in our area carry lots of nasty diseases)

LOVE LOVE LOVE CA baby, it has a very citrusy/grassy smell to it. Plus we've found that it dosent seem to bother my most sensitive child who normally breaks out with any fragrances/dyes. You do need to reapply often and generously. I normally spray them and their clothing (no problems with staining on clothes so far and we've used 2 yrs) and this summer I find myself pg and all the ingredients dont bother me, its things like citronella oil, lemongrass etc. We've even sprayed it on things like the stroller when were out and about and patio umbrella .

[SteelerMom]

try this: www.dontbitemepatch.com
I use it for my kids and it is effective against mosquitos

[~Adorkable~]

Those patches look intriguing, I'm going to read more about B1. thanks for the heads up SteelerMom

[Dahlea]

The clip on fan ones don't work IMO. At least not in FL. I've had good success with california baby.

[Beltane]

I just ordered some of this http://www.ecoblends.com/ through our co-op but I'm sure you could fine at Amazon or something as well. It smells good and seems to work! Good Luck!

[paintedfire]

I'll third the California Baby suggestion. Last year, after attending all three days of the Austin City Limits festival I had not a single bug bite.

[rlee*]

neem oil, citronella, essential oils, stick one of those dryer sheets (natural if possible) in your pocket... due in december

[myk]

i use DEET myself, but i'm seriously thinking of getting one of those netting jackets that mosquitos can't bite through. the mosquitos here right now are BRUTAL. i just mowed my lawn and there were thousands flying up at me (hence the DEET). i read somewhere that the repellants using lemon eucalyptus were effective, but for shorter periods of time than DEET.

[chattyprincess]

Well I lived in the northwoods of mn and spend lots of time in the summers in lakey regions of maine. my true experience (and that of many people that relay it to us who used to go on week long canoe trips through the boundary waters, some of the buggiest places around!) is that the natural ones don't work so great...maybe for the first few mins. that you put them on thats it.
The cdc recommends oil of lemon eucalyptus and I find this more then deet or picardin works the absolute best. I have people who use it and are shocked to realize they do not have ONE bite even if they are used to using strong deet....the stuff is amazing! We use the repel brand as its the only one I have found avaible near us...
http://www.ahcpub.com/hot_topics/?htid=1&httid=1342
intresting study.

[~Adorkable~]

wow Chatty, that is a great article! just the kind of info i was looking for, thank you so much! i knew that MDC would collectively come up with good intel.

i will look into the brand you mention and any others with PMD