Insect Repellent for Kids on Holiday: Guidance by Age

<p>Mosquito bites are mostly just itchy on a European holiday, but in parts of the tropics they can carry serious diseases. Labels list unfamiliar chemicals, some products aren't for young children, and US and UK guidance use different numbers. Here is what official bodies say for each age, and how to use repellent safely.</p>

Last reviewed: November 2026. Guidance comes from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the UK’s National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) via TravelHealthPro, and the NHS. These bodies don’t all say the same thing about strengths, and we explain where they differ. This is general information. For high-risk destinations, see a travel health clinic well before you leave.

Mosquito bites are mostly just itchy on a holiday in Europe. In parts of the tropics, they can carry diseases such as malaria or dengue, so the stakes are different. Parents understandably want to get this right, and it can be confusing. Labels list unfamiliar chemicals, some products are not for young children, and US and UK guidance use different numbers. This guide sets out what the official bodies say for each age, and how to use repellent safely alongside nets, clothing and sunscreen.

Quick answer

• Under 2 months: no DEET. Use protective clothing and nets over cots and strollers.
• 2 months and over: DEET can be used. The AAP recommends 10 to 30%. The UK’s NaTHNaC recommends 50% for travellers over two months, if tolerated.
• Under 3 years: don’t use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or PMD, says the CDC.
• Always: an adult applies it. Keep it off children’s hands, eyes, mouth, cuts or irritated skin.
• Sunscreen goes on first, repellent second.
• For malaria or dengue regions, ask a travel health clinic what your family needs.

Guidance by age

Read the product’s own label too, since it sets the legal use for that product and may be stricter than general guidance.

Why US and UK guidance differ

You might notice that the numbers don’t match. AAP-based guidance for US parents gives 10 to 30% DEET for children older than two months. NaTHNaC, writing mainly for UK travellers, recommends 50% for travellers over two months, provided it can be tolerated, and notes that strengths above this don’t extend protection time. In practice, a higher strength lasts longer rather than working “harder”, so a lower strength needs reapplying sooner, as the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes when it suggests choosing a percentage based on how long you need protection.

The right choice depends on your destination, your child and the product available. In a low-risk place, for a short evening walk, a lower-strength product may be enough. In a place with a risk of malaria, take advice from a travel health clinic and follow what they recommend.

The active ingredients

• DEET: the most widely recommended. NaTHNaC warns that it may damage plastics and synthetic fibres, so keep it off sunglasses, watch straps and some strollers, and let it dry.
• Picaridin (icaridin): NaTHNaC says a 20% product offers protection comparable to DEET, and that at least 20% should be used for malaria prevention. Many products contain less, so check the label.
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or PMD: the CDC says not to use these on children under three. NaTHNaC says they protect for a shorter time, so they need more frequent application.
• IR3535: also shorter-lasting, according to NaTHNaC.
• Things that don’t count: NaTHNaC lists electronic buzzers among measures with no evidence of repellent effect.

In the US, the CDC suggests looking for an EPA registration number on the label. Elsewhere, buy from a reputable pharmacy and look for the name of the active ingredient and its strength.

Step-by-step: how to apply it

1. Apply sunscreen first. The CDC and NaTHNaC both say sunscreen goes on before repellent. NaTHNaC suggests SPF 30 to 50, since DEET can reduce a sunscreen’s effectiveness.
2. An adult applies the repellent. Spray or squeeze it onto your own hands, then rub it onto your child’s face. Don’t spray directly at the face.
3. Avoid hands, eyes, mouth, cuts and irritated skin. Children’s hands end up in their mouths and eyes.
4. Don’t put it under clothes. The CDC says repellent goes on exposed skin only.
5. Use just enough. Follow the label, and reapply as directed. Don’t apply more often than the label says.
6. Wash it off with soap and water at the end of the day.
7. Store it safely, out of children’s reach.

Nets and clothing come first

Repellent is only one layer. The CDC recommends dressing children in clothing that covers their arms and legs, and covering strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting. If you drape a net over a carrier or stroller, make sure your child can still be seen and has good airflow. See our guide to baby carriers for hot-weather travel.

• Clothing: loose-fitting long sleeves and trousers. Permethrin-treated clothing can stop bites through fabric, but the CDC says not to use permethrin products directly on skin.
• Bed nets: NaTHNaC says mesh should be no larger than 1.5 mm. Long-lasting nets last at least three years, while others need re-treatment every six to twelve months. Check for holes and tuck the edges in.
• Timing: different mosquitoes bite at different times of day. Dengue-carrying mosquitoes bite in daylight too, so don’t only protect in the evening. Ask your travel clinic what applies where you’re going.
• Rooms: window screens, closed doors and air conditioning can all help reduce bites in your accommodation.

Ticks

If you’re heading into woods or long grass, ticks matter as well. The NHS says tick bites aren’t always painful, so check clothing, skin and children after being outdoors. Remove a tick with fine-tipped tweezers or a tick remover, as close to the skin as you can. Pull upwards slowly without squeezing it, and clean the bite. See a doctor if a rash appears or your child becomes unwell. Our camping with toddlers checklist has more on this.

Destinations with disease risk

Repellent is not enough on its own for a malaria-risk destination, and young children can be at serious risk. Before you book, check the country information on TravelHealthPro (UK) or the CDC’s destination pages (US), and arrange an appointment with a travel clinic. The UK government’s travel checklist suggests looking at vaccines and health precautions at least 8 weeks before travel. A clinic can talk you through antimalarials, vaccinations and what to do if your child becomes ill. Some risk regions may simply not be right for a very young child, and it’s reasonable to ask that question directly.

Bites: when to get help

Most bites cause itching and a small lump. Keep nails short and cover with a plaster or light clothing if your child is scratching. A pharmacist can suggest an age-appropriate cream or antihistamine. The NHS says to see a GP if a child under one has an insect bite or sting. In a region with malaria or dengue, get urgent medical advice for any fever, even after you return home. Mention where you have been.

Common mistakes

• Relying on a “natural” or plant-based product in a high-risk destination without checking its active ingredient and strength.
• Using a product with OLE or PMD on an under-three. Check the back of the label, because it’s easy to miss.
• Spraying onto hands that are about to go in a mouth. Keep it off children’s hands.
• Applying under clothes. It doesn’t need to be there.
• Getting the order wrong. Sunscreen first, repellent second.
• Forgetting strollers and carriers. Nets are the easiest protection for babies.
• Getting DEET on synthetic items. NaTHNaC warns that it can damage plastics and synthetic fibres.

Shopping by category

These Amazon searches cover the essentials: picaridin repellents, DEET repellents, stroller mosquito nets and travel bed nets. We haven’t tested these products and don’t rank them. Check each label for age limits and active ingredient strength.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Read our affiliate disclosure.

Next steps

Add repellent to your family travel first-aid kit and your summer holiday packing list for toddlers.