Summer is a season where families usually enjoy outdoor occasions, concerts, barbecue time, pool, and lazy afternoons. However, this is also the season for stinging insects like wasps are out which means there is a big possibility that you and your family especially your children will be in contact with wasps.
Although wasps are one of the wildest and most aggressive species of stinging insect, they contain a temper, especially when being threatened, thus, when they feel threatened, they would probably attack. This makes the wasps dangerous as they will use their long stinger to attack. They can use their stinger a couple of times, unlike bees. If someone approaches their nest, they will attack to keep the intruder out of their territory.
According to Adam's Pest Control, it is important for both kids and parents to understand that wasps are predatory species and aside from feeding on nectar and plant secretion, they also seek food and feed on other insects. Such summer gatherings attract wasps as they take advantage of food that is in front of them and things they don't usually find.
Protecting your kid from wasps can start by educating them about the different kinds of stinging insects that are present or exist in your neighborhood. You can show them photos and teach them how to spot such species on sight.
Ensuring the children's safety at all times
According to Dr. Baruch Fertel, Emergency Medicine Specialist, stinging insects are already part of the ecosystem and you cannot literally oust them as there are no ways but there are ways to make sure you're not attracting them to you.
If you are eating outside, the main thing that will attract stinging insects is food as they are also after protein. To keep them away from you, cover food that is placed outside and clean up all the dirty stuff and remove food after eating.
One of the things that can attract bees is the smell, especially the flowery or fruity smell which can be lotion, perfume, and hair care as they are seeking their next bit of nectar. Dr. Therese Linnon, a pediatrician with Akron Children's Hospital in Warren recommends to parents not to use flowery perfumes and soaps on the kids as they can attract stinging insects. Also not to let kids run through the grass without any shoes considering that bees can often get trapped underfoot which can result to sting.
Dr. Linnon also suggests not to consume sugary drinks or snacks as the sweetness the product contains can attract bees and wasps. Thousand of kids, according to WFMJ, are stung by bees and wasps every summer. If kids are stung, usually they will have some similar type of reaction which are itching, swelling, and redness.
Keeping kids away from stinging insects
According to Rentokil, check for nests in your home and garden as small nests are easier to remove but removing a wasps nest is not always the solution as it can only spread in the house and can harm anyone, especially the young ones. Nests are usually confined and are located in hard-to-reach areas. If a nest has been spotted, make sure that the children are away from the area.
One of the ways to prevent wasps is to keep the windows and doors shut as they can no longer enter the house.