When you are looking for tick repellent products, you want to make sure your getting the safest tick repellant for kids. Often that means getting tick repellent for kids without Deet.

Natural Tick Repellent

Deet has been shown to be toxic in certain concentrations and for certain people. So many just avoid this chemical-based tick repellent all together. They use a natural tick repellant and get DIY tick repellent recipe.

However, for my family, with the rise in tick-borne diseases, I don’t want to take my chances at some Pinterest DIY tick repellant hack not working.

Also, essential oil based tick repellents must be constantly reapplied. If my kids are at camp all day, is the camp counselor going to reapply it? Are my kids going to remember to do it – or do it well? Yeah, if you have kids, you know the answer to that….No.

“A 2002 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that…the effectiveness of several other botanical-based repellents lasted less than 20 minutes.” Scientific American

Tick Repellant Without Deet – Picaridin

Picaridin was developed in Europe as an alternative to Deet and came to the US in 2005. It has long lasting protection. Usually about 8-12 hours. It is a spray that protects from mosquitoes, ticks, no-see-ums, and other biting insects. So you get full range protection.

“In 2005, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) granted approval to two healthier alternatives to DEET—picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus—for protection from mosquitoes.” Scientific American

The American Academy of Pediatricians has not weighed against it. So you can spray on your kids in the morning and not worry about reapplying.

It is a low odor bug spray and a non-greasy bug spray so kids probably won’t rebell too much about wearing it.

Tick Repellent Without Deet – Permethrin

This is a good addition to your how to fight against ticks arsenal. Initially used in agriculture and in the military, it is house-based now. You can buy it to protect gear and clothing from ticks. Whether it is tents, bags, shoes, it won’t harm the materials (like deet can) and acts as a bug repellent. Do not use on skin. Fabric only use and lasts up to 6 washings or 30 days.

Read this post: How to Not Get Bitten By Mosquitoes

Best Tick Repellent for Kids

So if you need a safe tick repellent for kids or tick repellent for clothing, look for picaridin or permethrin products.

As you can see from my video, I recommend products from Sawyer Products, including Sawyer Fisherman’s Formula Picaridin Insect Repellent. For quick shopping, you can click on my Amazon affiliate link here.

Have a safe summer!