AVOIDING SUMMER STINGERS
McCauley Brothers Termite & Pest reminds people to take extra precautions to guard against stinging insects
The late summer and early fall are popular times for people to flock outdoors to enjoy the summer sun. Unfortunately, it is also the most active and aggressive season for stinging insects including wasps and yellowjackets, warns McCauley Brothers Termite & Pest Services, a pest management company servicing Northern California.
Whether completing home maintenance projects or attending a holiday cookout, anyone spending time outside during the warmer months is likely to encounter stinging insects. These pests are known to dole out painful stings, which can be life-threatening to people who have an allergic reaction.
In fact, the National Pest Management Association, a nonprofit organization committed to the protection of public health, food and property from household pests, reports that stinging insects send more than half a million people to the emergency room every year.
“It is important that people don’t provoke stinging insects by swatting at them. Instead, they can take a few extra precautions to prevent an unwanted encounter with these pests. Experts at the NPMAand McCauley Brothers Termite & Pest offer the following tips to avoid being stung:
- Ensure all doors and windows in your home have screens that are in good condition.
- When dining outside, keep food covered until ready to eat.
- Remove garbage frequently and keep trashcans covered.
- Wear shoes, especially in grassy areas.
- Overseed grassy areas to get better coverage, as this will deter ground-nesting insects.
- Paint/stain untreated wood.
- Avoid wearing sweet-smelling perfumes.
- Do not swat at a stinging insect as it increases the likelihood of an aggressive reaction.
- Seek immediate medical attention if stung, as reactions can be severe.
- Do not attempt to remove a hive or nest on your own.
For more information on stinging insects, visit www.mbpest.com
McCauley Brothers Termite & Pest Services 