The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the DEET Education Program have set April 5 as the deadline for this year’s Fight the Bite Poster Contest, which is open to all fifth and sixth graders in the U.S. The contest encourages students to illustrate ways to protect themselves and their families from diseases spread by mosquitoes and ticks by using repellent while outdoors.
Two winners from each state—one fifth grader and one in sixth—will receive a $50 U.S. Savings Bond and an award certificate. Two Grand Prize winners—one from each grade—will receive a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond, a plaque and a trip to CDC offices and labs in Fort Collins, Colo. (airfare and lodging provided) with their parents for the awards presentation.
Winning posters from prior years, helpful hints, the entry form and rules are at www.fightthebitecontest.org. “Tips for teachers” also have been added, based on input from a Missouri teacher who has assisted two national winners. Public health and mosquito control professionals are encouraged to use any of the winning posters for educational outreach, public service materials and similar purposes.
Available domestically since 1957, DEET is the world’s most widely used active ingredient for insect repellents. It does not kill insects or ticks.
The CDC and other authorities have long recommended DEET-based repellents. The American Academy of Pediatrics says repellents with up to 30 percent DEET can be used on children as young as two months of age.
More information about diseases from mosquito and tick bites, repellent use and other prevention strategies can be found at www.cdc.gov/westnile and www.cdc.gov/lyme. Experts suggest, in addition to using repellents, avoid infested areas and peak feeding periods, wear clothing that can prevent bites, limit standing water to reduce mosquitoes and modify home landscaping to discourage ticks.
The DEET Education Program (www.deetonline.org), which operates under the auspices of the Consumer Specialty Products Association, is sponsored by Clariant Corp., McLaughlin Gormley King Co., S.C. Johnson & Son Inc., 3M Company and Vertellus Health and Specialties Inc.