Warm Weather Exposures

Avoiding Bee and Wasp Stings

Bee careful

Bee and wasp stings are a common summer nuisance that can turn deadly if the victim develops a severe allergic reaction (anaphalaxis). Public Health experts estimate that up to 3% of adults will have a severe systematic reaction to a wasp or bee sting. Park & Rec workers, summer camp counselors and campers, police and fire, and public works employees, athletic coaches and athletes-- anyone who works or recreates outdoors -- is at risk of a sting.
Ways of avoiding yellowjacket and honeybee stings include --

• Yellowjackets wasps become aggressive when scavaging for food. Keep garbage cans covered with tight-fitting lids and from picnic and camping activity areas.
• Keep food covered if not being eaten.
• Serve sweet and other drinks in covered cups with straws.
• Check  food and beverage for yellowjackets before eating. Clear away food items after a meal immediately.
• Eliminate water sources such as birdbaths and dripping faucets, which attract bees and wasps.
• Wear foot protection. Require campers and students to wear shoes.
• Remain calm when a wasp lands on you. Don’t swat the insect. Yellowjackets rarely sting if they are left alone.
• Avoid wearing hairsprays, perfumes, colognes, suntan lotion or brightly colored clothes outdoors.
• Exercise care while working around leaf litter at margins of lawns. Wasp nests are sometimes built  under the leaves.
• Mow carefully. Be observant ahead of the mower in case there is a nest in the lawn.

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