PROTECTING YOUR CHILD FROM INSECT BITES

Insect bites can be sore, itchy and uncomfortable for kids. How can you protect your little ones from getting bitten?

Spending time outdoors is good for children. It's healthy for kids to get out into the fresh air, rather than being cooped up in air-conditioned environments all the time. The early evening is a pleasant, cool temperature and so this is a great time to enjoy a stroll together as a family. It helps tire your kids out before bedtime and gives you a chance to chat about the day and let them know what's happening tomorrow.

April is the last month before the temperature gets too hot to be comfortable, so encourage your children to make the most of it by getting outside. The only thing is, while kids are out enjoying themselves, so are some biting insects that can cause painful bites! What can you do to protect your child against these?

LAST YEAR'S BUGS

Last year, dry spring days with almost no rainfall coincided with the arrival of mosquitoes, flies, and bugs in parts of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Residents told of swarms gathering on balconies and in gardens as temperatures rose to the mid-30°Cs last April.

People living in built-up districts, particularly areas with vast green landscapes and water bodies, such as canals and lakes, reported that the insects became a nuisance. Pest control experts say that mosquitoes and midges tend to gather in large pools of standing water and breed at a rapid pace.