Repellents Arm Kids Against Picnic Pests

In summer, the great outdoors can turn grim quickly when flies, mosquitoes and other pests decide to make your picnic or campground theirs.

Folklore is filled with natural routes to debugging: Give up sugar and alcoholic beverages and you’ll never be bugged again; smear yourself with garlic and watch ants and mosquitoes find someone less stinky to bite; mist thyme tea at your next picnic to keep flies away.

Although the allure is understandable, the trouble is that there is no scientific proof that any of these natural remedies works, says Richard Thomas, a pharmacist and director of the Regional Poison Center at UC Irvine Medical Center.

During the last two seasons, reports of side effects from insect repellents containing diethyl toluamide (DEET) have scared away many people from their use. DEET repels many insects and bugs, including the ticks that cause Lyme disease, an inflammatory disorder that produces a range of flu-like symptoms. But DEET can also cause skin rashes and, in rare instances, neurological problems.

But Thomas and other poison experts say insect repellents, used cautiously, can be safe even for children.

First, check the label to determine the concentration of DEET, Thomas suggests. For children, a concentration of more than 50% is not recommended, says Michael Wieland, a pharmacist who directs Los Angeles County Medical Assn.’s Regional Poison Center. In fact, adults could expect relief from the same 50% concentration, Wieland and Thomas agree. There is no evidence, they say, that increasing the DEET concentration beyond 50% improves the effectiveness of the repellent.

Problems with DEET can arise when the solutions are used too often, Wieland says. An application--which is absorbed into the bloodstream--usually lasts four to eight hours.

When repellents are initially used on a child, Wieland says, parents should observe them carefully for skin rashes and other side effects.

He recommends seeking medical help if a child has even a slight rash or displays confusion or any other changes in mental status. (He tells parents not to use repellents on children under 2.) After children are done playing outside, they should take a bath or shower to rid the skin of excess repellent.

For adults and children who still disdain the idea of dousing themselves with repellents, another option is Bug Off coveralls--seamless suits fashioned from bug netting. The brainchild of a New Hampshire mother whose two daughters attracted biting flies, the featherweight suits can be worn over anything from a bathing suit to blue jeans. They are hooded with a removable Velcro face shield, says inventor Pam Panella. (For more information and prices, write Bug Off, P.O. Box 367, Hancock, N.H. 03449.)

For more safety information on repellents and other pesticides, call the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network, (800) 858-7378. The hot line is open 24 hours a day and is operated by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.