Summer is a time for outdoor concerts, BBQ’s, pool days, and lazy afternoons; however, it is also the season where stinging insects like wasps are out and about, frantically collecting food for their colony and building their numbers. This means that while spending more time outside this summer, you, your family and your pets are going to come in contact with wasps more often than not!
Wasps, while not the most aggressive species of stinging insect, do have a bit of a temper, especially when they are being threatened; and their temper can be slightly heightened in the summer because they are so busy and they simply don’t have time for shenanigans. Wasp nests that are built on homes or in high traffic areas can cause particular problems for people in the summer because wasps are more likely to deliver painful and dangerous stings.
It is important to understand that wasps are predatory species and along with feeding on nectar and plant secretions they also hunt and feed on other insects. Summer gatherings like picnics, fairs, and BBQ’s often attract wasps because they take advantage of the free beverages and food (hamburgers, hot dogs, and steak) that they can find. Particular care should be taken to protect yourself and your family from wasp stings at these types of events.
To help protect those you love from wasps, the professionals at Adam’s Pest Control want to offer you the following five tips to help avoid coming in contact with wasps when spending time outside:
- Don’t wear floral or bright clothing and try to avoid wearing sweet smelling perfume or aftershave; wasps can be attracted to these things. Also, make sure to wear and keep shoes on your feet to help avoid stepping on a wasp.
- When hosting an outdoor event, make sure that used plates and empty beverage containers are quickly disposed of and placed in trash cans with tight fitting lids. When done eating, bring the uneaten food back inside to avoid attracting wasps to your party.
- Keep outdoor trash cans and woodpiles off the ground and place them a distance away from the outside of your home. It is also a good idea to create garden areas and compost piles away from the exterior of your home. Also, any fruits or veggies that fall to the ground should be quickly picked up and removed.
- Open areas on the exterior of your home or outbuildings like loose siding should be repaired to help prevent wasps from building their nest in this space.
- Keep doors and windows closed or make sure that they have screens in them to help prevent wasps from finding their way inside.
If wasps ever do create a nest on your property and they become a danger to you and your family, know that the professionals at Adam’s Pest Control have the experience and safety equipment required to safely remove a dangerous wasp nest from your property. Don’t put yourself at risk by attempting to remove a nest on your own, give us a call today to learn more about our residential pest control programs.
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