The rains that we have seen from Hurricanes Florence and Michael have brought Fayetteville and its surrounding communities swarms of mega-mosquitoes. These large mosquitoes are mostly the known as Psorophora ciliata by scientists but commonly known as "gallinippers." These monster pests are up to 20 times larger than regular mosquitoes and their bite can be much more painful.

To avoid the complications from these bites, we recommend several practical steps:

All children should wear protective clothing when possible. Los, long-sleeve shirts and long pants with socks and shoes are best if your child is going to be outside for a prolonged period of time.
Avoid the use of scented lotions and soaps, as well as perfumes as strong scents can attract insects.
Check for ticks after returning indoors.

When choosing an insect repellent, there are several choices available. The American Academy of Pediatrics summarizes the choices as follows:

Repellents containing DEET are safe for use in children >2 months of age. The DEET concentration should not exceed 30%. DEET containing product usually last 2-5 hours so reapply as needed.
·Repellents containing Picardin are also safe for use.
Use of some plant-based products containing the essential oils of Citronella, Cedar, Eucalyptus, Soybean, or Lemon may be useful. As with any product, some children may have an allergic response to new substances. Application of essential oils can be done to the clothing of the child. Essential oils should be reapplied every 2-4 hours.

The AAP does not recommend use of Suncreen/Insect Repellent combination products. Sunscreen should be reapplied often but combination products with frequent use can lead to toxicity from the repellent. Further questions can be answered by accessing the latest AAP guidelines at AAP.org.