DEET

iting insects can be more than annoying; they can sometimes be deadly. DEET, the active ingredient in most tick and insect repellents, is unequalled when it comes to keeping mosquitoes, ticks, and other bugs away. DEET is used safely by an estimated 200 million people each year. The Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA) has more information about DEET.

DEET is produced by Morflex, Inc. and sold to companies who make consumer insect repellents. Read about the safe use of DEET and the diseases it prevents.

DEET In The News

Kids can win a $1,000 savings bond in the Fight the Bite poster contest. For details, click here.

DEET Education Program Responds to New Repellent Guidelines from CDC

Learn how to protect your family from mosquitoes and the West Nile Virus
(Link to Center for Disease Control)

Washington Post
(Link to Washington Post website. Online interview with Dr. David Goodfriend, director of the Loudoun County Health Department. Discussion focused on the West Nile Virus.)

WebMDHealth
(Link to WebMD website. Article written by Daniel DeNoon: "What We Know About West Nile Virus - So Far".)

Repellent News
(Link to MSN Health/Web MD website. Article written by Martin Downs and reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, M.D.)

DEET Fact Sheet

New England Journal of Medicine (Link to Article Abstract)

DEET Insect Repellents Rated High for Efficacy

More DEET News

Symposiums

2001 ASTMH Symposium

2000 ASTMH Symposium

Other Symposiums

Common sense strategies for battling bugs and reducing exposure. Scientists refer to disease-carrying pests as "vectors."	DEET is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and has proven to be the safest, most effective repellent for preventing vector-borne diseases.
Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE), malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, and encephalitis are a few of the serious, sometimes fatal, diseases transmitted by pests.	Just because the weather is cooler doesn't mean that pests aren't still biting and possibly transmitting disease. Don't pack away the insect repellent until the first frost.
Store shelves are stocked with insect repellent sprays, creams and lotions in a variety of strengths and formulations. Here's what you need to consider when choosing an insect repellent and tips for using it safely.	Parents feel uneasy about applying insect repellents on their children. The U.S. EPA has determined that when label instructions are followed, all concentrations of DEET repellents can be used by people of all ages.

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