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Avoid the Sting of Yellow Jackets, Wasps and Bees
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Tracy Polanksy
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Avoid the Sting of Yellow Jackets, Wasps and Bees
Blue Chip Pest Control and Removal Services encourages homeowners to brush up on stinging insect facts
St. Louis, MO (July 11, 2013) – Summer is a popular season to spend time outdoors, but it’s also the prime time for increased pest pressure, especially from stinging insects like wasps, yellow jackets and bees. Blue Chip Pest Control and Removal Services, a pest management company servicing the St. Louis area, urges homeowners to brush up on stinging insect prevention tips and facts to avoid being stung this summer.
“Stinging insects are aggressive during the warmer months because they are busy preparing their queen for the winter ahead,” said Jeff Phillips, CEO at Blue Chip. “They are often attracted to backyard barbeques and picnics, and frequently enter homes in search of food.”
Here are a few facts from the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), a nonprofit organization committed to the protection of public health, food and property from household pests, to help homeowners protect themselves from stinging insects over the next few months:
Stinging insects send more than 500,000 people to the emergency room every year. They can swarm and sting en masse, which can be life threatening especially for anyone who has an allergic reaction.
Unlike some stinging insect species, wasps are known for their unprovoked aggression. A single colony of wasps can contain more than 15,000 members, so an infestation should not be taken lightly.
Common nesting sites include under eaves, on ceiling beams in attics, garages and sheds and under porches. Some stinging insects can build their nests in the ground, including yellowjackets and velvet ants (which are actually a species of wasps). Over-seeding the yard provides more coverage and discourages these pests from nesting around the property.
Painting or staining untreated wood in fences, decks, swing sets and soffits will help keep stinging insects such as carpenter bees out. Carpenter bees create nests by drilling tunnels into soft wood, which can severely compromise the stability of a structure over time.
Only female carpenter bees have stingers. Female carpenter bees will only sting if threatened, but reactions to these stings can range from mild irritation to life-threatening respiratory distress.
“Homeowners should frequently inspect the property for signs of a stinging insect infestation and contact a pest professional if a nest is found. Attempting to remove a bee or wasp nest on your own can be extremely dangerous,” added Phillips.
For more information on fleas and ticks, please visit www.bluechipexterminating.com.
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Blue Chip Pest Control and Removal Services St. Louis is proud to be a family owned company that has served St. Louis since 1959. We protect the entire St. Louis area with pest control services such as: pest control, rodent control, termite control, wildlife removal, and mosquito control services.