Enjoy The Outdoors Without The Sting Of Wasps,Yellow Jackets and Bees (NAPSA)—Thelate summer and fall monthsare popular times to be outdoors,butit’s also the most active season for stinging insects like wasps, yellow jackets and carpenter bees. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) warnsthat during these months, stinging insects are busy scaveng- ing for food to prepare for the winter. They are often attracted to backyard barbecues and picnics, which increases your chances of being stung. In fact, the NPMAreports that stinging insects send more than 500,000 people to the emergency room every year. Here are a few facts to help you protect yourself from stinging insects this season: Unlike some stinging insect species, wasps are knownfor their unprovoked aggression. A single colony of wasps can contain more than 15,000 members, so an infes- tation should not be taken lightly. Some stinging insects can build their nests in the ground, including yellow jackets and velvet ants, which despite their name, are a species of wasp. Velvet ants have a painful, needlelike stinger that can provoke an allergic reaction. Overseeding your yard provides more coverage and discourages these pests from nesting on your property. Painting or staining un- treated wood in fences, decks, swing sets and soffits will help keep stinging insects such ascarpenter bees out. Carpenter bees resemble bumblebees and create nests by drilling tunnels into soft Photo: National Pest Management Association/ PestWorld.org Don’t let wasps and other stinging insects spoil your warm weather fun. Inspect your property frequently for infestations. wood, which over time, can severely compromise the stability of a structure. Only female carpenter bees have stingers. Female carpenter bees will only sting if threatened, but reactions to these stings can range from mild irritation to lifethreatening respiratory distress. The NPMA recommends inspecting your property fre- quently for signs of a stinging insect infestation. Commonnesting sites include under eaves, on ceiling beams in attics, garages and sheds and underporches. If you find a nest or suspect an infestation, it is critical that you hire a pest professional. Attempting to remove a nest on your own can be extremely dangerous. For more information on sting- ing insects, including prevention tips and pest guides, visit www.pestworld.org.
