Insect Safety

Now that summer is nearly here, outdoor activities are on everybody's to-do list. When taking the family on a backpacking or camping trip, or even the local park, always be alert for insects. Insects such as ticks and mosquitoes are known to carry diseases. To protect yourself and others, follow these tips.

Wear a light-colored long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and a hat.

Secure your clothes with rubber bands or tape to prevent insects from getting underneath them.

Avoid underbrush and tall grass when hiking.

Use an insect repellent and follow the directions for use. Be sure to read cautionary statements on label.

After being outdoors for a long period, inspect yourself for ticks or have someone else do it. Shower immediately after coming indoors.

If you have pets that go outdoors, use a repellent made for that type of pet and apply according to the label. Be sure to check your pet for ticks often.

Beware of Insect Stings:

If you have know allergies to insect stings, be sure to carry your insect sting kit. If you are stung, use a credit card to sweep away the stinger. Avoid wearing clothing with floral patterns that may attract insects. And if you have no known allergies to insect repellent, it can be used to help avoid insect stings.

Ticks:

If you find a tick, remove it by pulling steadily and firmly. Grasp the tick with a fine-tipped tweezers, as close to the skin as possible, and pull slowly. Wash area and apply antiseptic or antibiotic ointment. Watch area for infection. See a physician if you see signs of a rash in that area.

AVOIDING BEES, WASPS, HORNETS AND YELLOW JACKETS

Don't wear perfume or scented lotions.

Control odors when camping, picnicking, and around your garbage cans at home, especially in the fall when foraging yellow jackets are most numerous.

Avoid brightly colored clothing, which may look like the color of flowers to an insect, and shiny objects, that may look like water reflections. Wear tan, khaki, and dark-colored clothes.

Relocate or destroy any nests near your home.

Don't leave sugary drinks outside unattended, and use covered containers to limit their odor. It doesn't take a yellow jacket very long at all to find a warm cola can sitting in the sun. Don't throw watery drinks in the grass when the ice melts. Take them into the house to pour it out.

Don't picnic, sit, or stand near trash cans, fallen fruit, or other wasp/yellow jacket feeding sites.

Don't swat or move rapidly when a wasp visits you or your food; move slowly! (Easier said than done.)

Don't approach a nest; if you do disturb a nest, RUN AWAY from attacking wasps. (Was it really necessary for us to tell you that?)

Do clean up food and drink refuse, clean trash cans, and fit them with a tight lid to reduce wasp visits. Let them go be a hazard around someone else's trash can!

When in recreation areas, check your food and drinks before consumption! Stings inside the mouth and throat are particularly dangerous because of the potential of swelling and closing off the windpipe.

Because a yellow jacket may have been rooting around in your garbage can before stinging you, properly treat the sting, even if it doesn't hurt, as a secondary infection may develop.

New Bugs of Summer

Holiday Safety Outdoor Safety Personal Safety Safety at Home Travel Safety

	Wear a light-colored long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and a hat.
	Secure your clothes with rubber bands or tape to prevent insects from getting underneath them.
	Avoid underbrush and tall grass when hiking.
	Use an insect repellent and follow the directions for use. Be sure to read cautionary statements on label.
	After being outdoors for a long period, inspect yourself for ticks or have someone else do it. Shower immediately after coming indoors.
	If you have pets that go outdoors, use a repellent made for that type of pet and apply according to the label. Be sure to check your pet for ticks often.

	Don't wear perfume or scented lotions.
	Control odors when camping, picnicking, and around your garbage cans at home, especially in the fall when foraging yellow jackets are most numerous.
	Avoid brightly colored clothing, which may look like the color of flowers to an insect, and shiny objects, that may look like water reflections. Wear tan, khaki, and dark-colored clothes.
	Relocate or destroy any nests near your home.
	Don't leave sugary drinks outside unattended, and use covered containers to limit their odor. It doesn't take a yellow jacket very long at all to find a warm cola can sitting in the sun. Don't throw watery drinks in the grass when the ice melts. Take them into the house to pour it out.
	Don't picnic, sit, or stand near trash cans, fallen fruit, or other wasp/yellow jacket feeding sites.
	Don't swat or move rapidly when a wasp visits you or your food; move slowly! (Easier said than done.)
	Don't approach a nest; if you do disturb a nest, RUN AWAY from attacking wasps. (Was it really necessary for us to tell you that?)
	Do clean up food and drink refuse, clean trash cans, and fit them with a tight lid to reduce wasp visits. Let them go be a hazard around someone else's trash can!
	When in recreation areas, check your food and drinks before consumption! Stings inside the mouth and throat are particularly dangerous because of the potential of swelling and closing off the windpipe.
	Because a yellow jacket may have been rooting around in your garbage can before stinging you, properly treat the sting, even if it doesn't hurt, as a secondary infection may develop.