Protect Yourself From Summer Stingers

(NewsUSA) - Sponsored News - During the summer months, many families spend extra time together - going on trips, enjoying gatherings with family and friends, and making memories that last all year. While the season may be filled with the sounds of joy and laughter, a great day can easily turn into a bad memory when stinging insects are encountered.

Stinging insects are common summertime pests, and their stings can be more than a painful nuisance for you and your family. According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), stinging insects such as wasps, yellowjackets, hornets and bees, send more than half-a-million people to the emergency room every year. While those who are allergic to stings are most at risk, anyone can be affected if a large number of stinging insects swarm and sting en masse.

This summer, it is essential that homeowners take precautions to prevent stings and stay safe outdoors by routinely checking to ensure their property is free from hives and nests. You should check the exterior of your home, paying special attention to overhangs, eaves, the underside of porches and decks, shrubs, trees, sheds and other structures.

If you find a nest on your property, do not get too close and do not attempt to remove it. Instead, hire a trained pest control professional to relocate or remove hives and nests in a safe manner.

To help you prevent stings this season, the NPMA offers the following advice:

* Eliminate standing water and other sources of moisture around the home.

* Keep trash cans covered and sealed.

* When dining outside, keep food covered until ready to eat. Also provide clear plastic cups for your guests, as aluminum cans and plastic bottles are good hiding spots for stinging insects.

* If approached by a stinging insect, remain calm and quiet. Avoid swaying or swinging, as this may provoke an attack.

* Avoid wearing dark colors and floral prints, loose-fitting garments, open-toe shoes and sweet-smelling perfumes or colognes.

Some stinging insects pose more serious threats than others. A trained pest control professional will be able to properly identify a pest species and determine the risk to your family. For more information on stinging insects, visit: http://www.pestworld.org/news-hub/pest-articles/stinging-insects-101