Identifying Summer Stinging Insects

This is the time of year that flying and stinging insects are out in abundance. This is because of the warmer weather and the fact that most people are spending more time around large water sources such as pools, rivers and lakes. This is the perfect atmosphere to attract bees, wasps and yellow jackets. A sting from one of these insects can be very painful and cause allergic reactions. Stings from a swarm of stinging insects can even cause death! A lot of outdoor barbeques and swimming parties can be appealing to these types of stinging critters and can put a damper on any get together. So what do you need to know about these stinging pests and what do you do if you are stung.
 

Bees Sting Dangers

Bees are one of the most annoying pests that hang around during the summer time. They make their way towards water sources to get a drink. They are also attracted to areas that have bushes and plants that flower. Bees go from plant to plant to collect pollen for the hive. Bees will sting when they feel threatened by a person or even a pet. If you have an allergy to bee stings you may need to contact a healthcare professional right away if stung. Most people have an irritation to bee stings and can get a red rash. The area can also become hot to the touch. Make sure that you remove the stinger if it remains in the skin! There are many types of bees and the aggressiveness of the bees are different for each kind. Africanized killer bees are the most aggressive. Just last week, a Texas farmer from Lozano was stung over 3,000 times and died when he struck an old irrigation pipe with his tractor.
 

Yellowjackets Sting More than Once

Yellowjackets are very social stinging insects that typically live in colonies of 1,000 to 4,000 workers at the peak of their reproductive season. They are slow to sting unless their nest is threatened in which case they quickly become very aggressive. It is easy to unknowingly threaten a nest as yellowjackets build them on trees and occupied buildings. Yellowjackets are attracted to the sweets and proteins at family barbeques and get-togethers so it is important to cover food and properly dispose of trash after parties. Yellowjackets can sting several times inflicting severe pain and in some cases, people who have been stung can become hypersensitive – meaning future encounters can be life threatening.
 

Wasp Sting Matters

Wasps are another flying stinger that look a little more intimidating then a bee might. However, a wasp is not very aggressive and will usually stay away from anything they believe to be a danger to them or their nest. The problem is that wasps build their nests on porch ceilings, eaves, soffits and attic rafters – which can make them hard to avoid! A wasp is usually larger than a bee and can be seen lingering around water as well. Wasps live in smaller colonies and are seen in much smaller groups than a bee. Like yellowjackets, wasps can and often do sting more than once and use alarm pheromones to call for back up to help defend their nest. If you are stung by a wasp it can mimic the same reaction as many other stinging insects. If you have an allergic reaction that effects your breathing it could turn into an emergency.
 

Hornet Sting Dangers

Hornets are one of the only stinging insects that stay active at night. They can fly into an evening stroll or a late swim and cause trouble for unsuspecting victims. They are referred to as Giant Hornets because of the size that the adults are. Hornets are attracted to larger insects and fruit because that is part of their diet. A sting from a hornet is uncomfortable and can cause irritation and pain.
 
If you have any trouble with these stinging pests this summer call Bio-Tech Pest Control Today for a free consultation.