Insect repellent

Insect repellent is something you spray or put on your skin that keeps bugs away from you. Bugs like mosquitoes and flies like to bite you and suck your blood, but insect repellent makes them not want to come close to you. It's kind of like how you don't want to be near someone who smells bad or is mean to you.

The reason insect repellent works is because it has something called "active ingredients" that bugs don't like. These are usually chemicals like DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. When you spray or put insect repellent on yourself, these chemicals make bugs feel sick or confused so they don't come near you. It's like how you might not want to eat a food you don't like or smells bad.

Remember, when you use insect repellent, it's important to follow the directions on the bottle carefully. You should never use too much and you should always ask an adult to help you put it on. Using insect repellent can help keep you safe from bug bites and the diseases that bugs can sometimes carry.