Ecosmart Review (Deet-free bug spray)

A few months ago we talked HERE about finding a bug spray that works, but does not contain deet. We found a few at the local natural food store, but no one wrote in about one they really loved. So, when I got some free samples of a fairly new deet-free bug spray called Ecosmart I thought I would try it. I also gave samples to a few friends (I figure, the more the opinions, the better.)

I use the bug spray a lot and am planning on ordering more. It has a strong floral smell and it seems to work really well. I like that it doesn't have a chemical in it that is harmful to my kids. Maybe there are others like it. I don't know. I don't receive any money for saying I like it and I don't expect you to buy any. I just really do like it.

My friend Laura says she would recommend it too. She says she uses it often at night at it works really well. It seems like there are tons of bugs out there lately!

The two other friends who planned on using Ecosmart have not needed it yet.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Mosquito Repellent

Now that it's summer vacation, my four-year-old refuses to come inside at night. His friends were playing outside at 8:00p.m. and I saw him start to swat at mosquitos. I made him come inside. I do have mosquito repellent with deet, but I don't like to use it. I don't know if there's any merit to what I think, but putting all those chemicals on my kids doesn't sit well. I do use it sometimes, but I try to avoid it. However, I don't want him to get the West Nile Virus. That would obviously be worse.

We ran this story on WHOI. It made my fears about safety heightened.

"Deet has been the most commonly used mosquito repellent for the last five decades, but scientists believe they've discovered a better one. Ulrich Bernier and colleagues at the USDA and the University of Florida began their search with a database of more than 40- thousand chemicals.

Using sophisticated software, scientist were able to predict new molecules which might be more effective, and safe. The team then created those new compounds in the lab, and compared them to deet. The research so far predicts good repellency and safety, but the researchers say thorough safety tests must be done before the new repellents can be tested on people."

Why are scientists looking at a "safer" repellent if the ones on the market are safe? Ugh! Do you put bug repellent with deet on your kids? Does anyone use the more natural bug repellents that don't contain deet? Do they work?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen