Kids Can Help

Protect Yourself Against Diseases Bugs Can Carry.

kids can help pour out water filled containers and wear long sleeves and pants

Kids all across the country will be enjoying springtime outdoors before too long. It′s important to remember that the biting bugs that come with warm weather can lead to illness. People of all ages can take some simple steps to prevent bites from mosquitoes and ticks to reduce the risk of the diseases spread by those pests.

The West Nile virus and Lyme disease sites which are co-sponsoring the "Fight the Bite"poster contest with the DEET Education Program, offers the following tips.

Personal Protection

  • Insect repellent, when used properly, can keep mosquitoes and ticks off your skin. Use CDC- recommended products, such as DEET-based repellents, and carefully follow label directions. Adults should apply repellents to children under 12.
  • Wear long-sleeve shirts, long pants and hats to keep bugs off your skin.
  • Avoid areas mosquitoes prefer, such as swampy and wet locations.
    • Early morning, late afternoon and early evening are peak mosquito biting times. Either stay indoors at those times, or use repellent and cover up.

Household Protection

  • Mosquitoes may breed even in small containers. Walk around the outside of your home at least once a week and empty any water that′s collected in toys, pet food and water bowls, birdbaths, buckets and other objects. Check under bushes and other hard-to-see places. Get rid of old tires or other objects that could collect water.
  • Check for holes in screens on windows and doors. Work with an adult to make needed repairs.

Advice to Parents

  • Always read and follow label directions on repellent products carefully. Repellents should be applied by an adult on kids under 12.
  • Balance the need for kids to get exercise and enjoy the outdoors with protection from mosquito- and tick- borne diseases. The CDC says: "Avoiding mosquitoes doesn′t mean that kids have to stay inside in front of the TV. Get them outside and playing, but remember — a couple of seconds applying an effective repellent to exposed skin and clothing will help everyone stay healthy."
  • Encourage fifth and sixth graders to enter the “Fight the Bite” poster contest.