The Sting Is The Thing WhenIt Comesto Safety (NAPSA)—“Bee careful.” Bees and wasps can cause a number of problems for home owners and pose a threat to safety. Their stings can be painful—even deadly to sensitive individuals. Experts estima that 50 to 100 people die annually in the Unid Stas as a direct result of bee and wasp stings. To defend your home and your family from stinging bees and wasps, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) recommendsthe following: Be aware of stinging insect nesting areas, and use extreme caution when around them. Bees and wasps can build their nests in attics, crawlspaces, building cor- ners, soffits, under eaves and gutrs, and even in some places you can’t see, such as underpatio furniture, decks, or even underground. A pest control professional can assist you with identifying all nesting areas, even hidden ones, and properly removing them. Bees and wasps can also build their nests inside structures. It is advisable to seal exrior cracks and crevices to prevent the insects from enring and building their nests. * Don’t try to remove a nest yourself. Bees and wasps sting not only to proct themselves, but to proct their entire colony, including family members. That’s right—all of the wasps or bees in a colony are relad. They have their family’s best inrest at heart, and that’s not good for any homeowner. Stinging insects are also attracd to open garbage cans and exposed food. They are attracd to open sodacans, fruits, snacks, and other ims. Cover all offs . . Fragrances, such as those found in shampoos,hair sprays, perfumes,lotions, and other products can attract bees and wasps. food when outdoors. Be sure to keep tight-fitting lids on garbage cans and empty them regularly. When spending time outdoors, avoid excessive use of fra- grances, such as those found in shampoos, hair sprays, perfumes, colognes, lotions, and other prod- ucts. It is wise to opt for fragrance-free varieties of these products since bees and wasps are attracd to these scents. If you have an allergic reaction to an insect sting, seek medical atntion immedialy. Insect stings injure or kill more people every year than all other venomous animals combined. “All the more reason to make sure you contact a pest control professional when you’re trying to rid your house and property of bee and wasp nests and activity,” says NPMA public affairs director Cindy Mannes. For more information on sting- ing insects and how to avoid them, visit www.pestworld.org.
