When your child’s eyes light up and they say, “I want to go bug hunting!”, you’re happy to see them grow up and say, “Great! Let’s go together!” But at the same time, parents and children who are just starting to collect insects often worry, wondering, “What kind of clothes should I dress them in?”
There are lots of stylish, cute, and cool clothes to choose from, but it’s important to understand the basics of clothing so that your child can interact with nature safely and comfortably.
There are hidden dangers when catching insects that are difficult to prevent if you are not aware of them.
- Insect bites such as mosquitoes and horseflies
- Encounters with dangerous creatures such as bees and ticks
- Rash or cuts caused by plants
hese kinds of problems can be largely prevented by knowing the tips for choosing clothes.
In this article, we will explain three basic points to keep in mind when dressing your child for insect collecting, so that they can enjoy their first insect collecting experience safely and securely.
- Style (long sleeves and long pants)
- Color (light color)
- Material (synthetic fiber)
By simply following these points, you can protect your children from danger and enjoy insect collecting with peace of mind.
Mom and Dad will be able to relax, and watching your children playing freely in nature will be a wonderful memory.
So, let’s go out and have fun insect collecting together, equipped with the knowledge of safe clothing.
- The best clothing for children to collect insects: Long sleeves and pants that cover the skin
- The conclusion is that the best clothing colors for children to collect insects are “bright colors such as white, light blue, and pink.”
- The best clothing material for children to use in insect collecting: The conclusion is “synthetic fibers such as nylon and polyester”
- 4 Popular Apparel Brands for Kids Who Collect Insects
- If you’re looking for insect collecting clothing for both parents and children, we recommend Alpen Rakuten Market.
The best clothing for children to collect insects: Long sleeves and pants that cover the skin
When it comes to clothing for insect collecting, the most important thing is the shape of the clothes.
To protect your children from danger, first make sure they wear clothes that do not expose their skin.
Recommended clothing
- Long sleeves and pants : These are essential items to protect your skin from insect bites, cuts, and rashes. Insects such as bees, horseflies, and mosquitoes will especially target exposed areas of skin.
- Socks : Always wear socks to protect your ankles and ankles.
- Sneakers : Insect collecting often involves walking through grassy areas and on unpaved roads. To protect your feet and prevent falls, wear sneakers that are easy to walk in and won’t slip off.
Unacceptable clothing
- Short sleeves and shorts : This exposes more skin, making you more susceptible to insect bites and plant hazards.
- Sandals : Not only do they expose your feet, they also tend to slip off easily, increasing the risk of falling or stepping on broken glass.
What dangers are you prepared for?
Wearing clothes that don’t expose your skin can help prevent a variety of problems.
Dangerous insects and creatures
In addition to mosquitoes and horseflies, there are also wasps that can sting you without you even realizing it, and ticks that transmit infectious diseases.
Long sleeves and long pants are an effective barrier to protect you from these dangerous insects.
Plant and ground hazards
It’s hard to see your feet in bushes and woods.
Hard branches, sharp leaves, and even discarded glass bottles and pieces of metal can be hidden.
By covering your child’s skin, you can protect them from these unexpected injuries.
Frequently asked questions about insect repellent, long sleeves, and long pants
- QI’ll be sure to spray on some insect repellent, so it’s okay to wear short sleeves and shorts, right?
- A
The purpose of insect collecting is to catch insects, right? Insect repellent sprays are effective in keeping away not only mosquitoes but also other insects. It seems a bit contradictory to say, “I want to catch insects, but I also prepare to keep them away.”
For this reason, we recommend taking physical precautions by wearing long sleeves and long pants rather than relying on insect repellent spray. Long sleeves and long pants are not only a way to protect against insect bites, but also to prevent injuries from grass, branches, and dangerous objects on the ground. Wearing long sleeves and long pants will allow you to enjoy insect catching without worrying about insects bothering you, while also preventing bites and other dangers.
- QIt’s hot in the summer, and I’m worried about dehydration, so does anyone actually wear long sleeves and long pants?
- A
As you say, in the summer it is very hot not only during the day but also when you go out at night to catch rhinoceros beetles and stag beetles, and there is a risk of dehydration. Even so, we still recommend wearing long sleeves and long pants.
The reason for this is that choosing the right materials can solve the problem. Choosing breathable, quick-drying synthetic clothing will help you stay cool while also protecting you from insects and injuries.
Regardless of what you’re wearing, staying hydrated is extremely important when collecting insects in the summer. Children who are engrossed in the activity often don’t realize they’re thirsty. Even if you ask them, “Do you want some water?” they might reply, “No, not yet!”
Parents are responsible for their children’s health. In our home, we make sure to share the message that children should drink before they get thirsty, and we have set rules such as “make sure to drink fluids every 15 minutes.” Parents should be conscious of reminding their children to drink fluids frequently.
The conclusion is that the best clothing colors for children to collect insects are “bright colors such as white, light blue, and pink.”
When children are insect collecting, the color of their clothing is also a very important factor for safety. In conclusion, we recommend bright colors such as white, light blue, pink, and yellow-green.
Colors to avoid
Although we mentioned that bright colors are recommended, the most important safety measure is to avoid certain colors.
Clothing colors that should be avoided in particular are dark and intense colors such as black, dark gray, dark blue, and brown.
Hornets are known to have a habit of attacking black objects.
This is said to be because hornets react to the dark color when recognizing natural enemies such as bears.
Wearing dark clothing will make you more likely to be targeted by hornets, so avoid doing so.
Other insects, such as mosquitoes and horseflies, also tend to be attracted to black and dark colors.
Reasons for recommended colors
Light-colored clothing not only keeps dangerous insects like wasps away, it also has the following benefits:
Stand out without blending in with the surroundings
When children are playing in the grass or forest, bright colored clothing makes them easier to spot from a distance and helps prevent them from getting lost.
Does not absorb heat easily
White and light colors reflect the heat of the sun, preventing your body temperature from rising and helping to prevent heatstroke.
Easier to spot ticks and other insects
Light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot ticks and other small insects that have attached themselves to your clothes early.
For safety reasons, avoid dark clothing and choose bright colors such as white, light blue, or pink. Fluorescent orange and red are also recommended as they are highly visible.
The best clothing material for children to use in insect collecting: The conclusion is “synthetic fibers such as nylon and polyester”
When choosing clothes for insect collecting, pay attention to the material. Synthetic fibers such as nylon and polyester are especially recommended .
Why synthetic fibers are recommended for children’s clothing
Breathable and quick-drying clothing
Nylon and polyester have the property of absorbing sweat quickly and drying quickly.
When collecting insects in the summer, choosing clothing that allows sweat to evaporate easily will help regulate body temperature and prevent heatstroke.
Ease of washing
When collecting insects, children’s clothes often get dirty with dirt and mud. Synthetic fibers are easy to clean and maintain, reducing the burden on parents.
Countermeasures against “sticky insects”
Autumn insect collecting is fun, but if you venture into the grass at this time of year, you may find that lots of “sticky insects” (seeds from plants such as Bidens frondosa and bush clover) end up on your clothes. If these seeds get tangled in your clothing, they can be difficult to remove and can be painful. Materials with smooth surfaces like nylon and polyester are extremely useful, as they are less likely to attract sticky insects and, if they do get on your clothes, they can be easily brushed off.
On the other hand, although cotton clothes are highly absorbent, they have the disadvantages of being slow to dry, difficult to remove stains from, and easily attracting insects.
Choose clothing made from synthetic fibers that is both comfortable and convenient, and enjoy insect collecting with your children regardless of the season.
4 Popular Apparel Brands for Kids Who Collect Insects
When it comes to clothing for your child to use when collecting insects, you want it to be functional as well as stylish. Here we introduce four popular, classic brands that even those who aren’t familiar with the outdoors can choose with confidence.
All of these brands boast high functionality, but many also place emphasis on design, so as long as you keep in mind the three key points we’ve explained here – shape, color, and material – you’ll be safe!
Choose clothes that suit your tastes.
THE NORTH FACE
A leading brand of outdoor wear. With high functionality and durability, it is suitable for a wide range of activities, from serious mountain climbing to everyday play.
Columbia
This is another long-established outdoor brand, with many items featuring excellent waterproof and windproof properties, making them perfect for sudden changes in weather.
mont-bell
Based on the concept of “function is beauty,” the brand produces a wide range of lightweight, easy-to-move-in clothing.
Patagonia
The brand is known for its strong environmental awareness, and many of its products are made from organic cotton and recycled materials, making them perfect for insect collecting, a way to connect with nature.
In addition to these brands, finding clothing that suits your child’s interests and personality can make insect collecting even more fun.
If you’re looking for insect collecting clothing for both parents and children, we recommend Alpen Rakuten Market.
- There are often great coupons and promotions available.
- This shop has won the Rakuten Shop of the Year award and has many positive reviews, making it a reliable shop.
- Low shipping costs. Basic shipping from 550 yen
→ Free shipping for orders over 3,980 yen!
The Alpen Group is a long-established retailer of outdoor and sports goods, and carries a wide range of popular brands including THE NORTH FACE and Columbia.