(NAPSA)—Spring and summer “ bring a renewalof spirit and newfound freedom from the indoors. But as you venture outside to bar- becue with friends, lounge lazily poolside or work in your garden, watch out for insects that can spoil your outdoorfun. Fire ants, the reddish-brown species namedfor their fiery sting, can ruin almost any outdooractivity. Fiercely protective of their colonies, these tiny pests emit alarm pheromonesthat signal nest mates to attack and defend their colonies by delivering repeated painful stings to an intruder, causing blisters or pustules. In the air, bees and wasps may be the most commonly feared foes encountered by outdoor enthusi- asts. Their painful stings can cause symptoms ranging from headache, fever and fatigue to vomiting, convulsions and a rapid pulse. These airborne insects can even be deadly to those who are allergic to their venom. The ruling predatory pests of backyards across America, though, are mosquitoes. There are over 200 species of mosquitoes identified in North America, some of which have the ability to transmit dis- Mosquitoes may be small, but they have the ability to spread infectious diseases. quently encountered pests in and around American homes,” says Frank Meek, entomologist and Technical Director for Orkin, Inc. Here are sometips for protecting yourself and your family from mosquitoes: When outdoors, apply an EPA-approved insect repellent on clothing and exposedskin. Eliminate mosquito breeding sites by regularly emptying stand- ing water from around the home in places such as flowerpots, buckets and birdbaths. e Avoid making puddles of water around your garden when eases such as malaria, encephalitis wateringplants. Clean out rain gutters rou- the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly sites for mosquitoes. Wear long-sleeved shirts and and West Nile virus. According to 24,000 cases of West Nile have been reported in the United States, tinely. Gutters are ideal breeding pants while working in your garden to avoid mosquitobites. including more than 950 deaths, since the virus wasfirst identified in New York in 1999. Serious symptoms of West Nile virus can When enjoying the weatheroutside, remember to be aware of your environment and protect yourself paralysis and even death. vice, visit www.orkin.com or call gerous, but they’re also annoying, ranking among the most fre- about mosquito-related diseases, visit www.cdc. gov. include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, convulsions, vision loss, “Not only are mosquitoes dan- against these pervasive pests. For more information on mos- quitoes and Orkin’s mosquito ser- (800) 800-ORKIN. To learn more
