Article:: Simple Precautions Can Ensure a Sting-Free Summer

(ARA) - In summer months, many Americans spend time in their backyards, playing games, working in the garden, or hosting family picnics. But even the most tranquil summer afternoon is not without hazards, thanks mostly to Mother Nature. Outdoor pests such as bees, wasps, mosquitoes, and fire ants, the South's most-menacing insect pest, can quickly ruin a summer afternoon. Take some simple precautions now to keep your family safe all summer long.

Nearly everyone in the United States has fallen victim to insect stings, most often from bees or wasps. Luckily, only about one or two people out of 1,000 are allergic or hypersensitive to bee or wasp stings. For most people, these stings are easily treatable with cold compresses and calamine lotion.

Before hosting an event, homeowners should survey their property for any nesting areas, typically small cavities or shelters like empty containers, old tires, lumber, trees, decks and garages. To avoid being stung, steer clear of these nesting areas and try not to wear perfume, cologne or scented soaps. Bees and wasps both react to odors in their environment, and will land on your skin for a closer inspection. If you must be near any bee or wasp activity, wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. When swimming in pools, be sure to watch out for bees or wasps trapped on the surface.

Mosquitoes are another common summer nuisance, causing more human suffering than any other organism. Not only can mosquitoes carry diseases that afflict humans, they can transmit several diseases and parasites that dogs, horses and birds are very susceptible to. Their bites can cause serious infections, irritation, redness, itching and in some cases, allergic reactions. Individual mosquito control or personal protection includes wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants outdoors during peak mosquito activity periods and applying repellent to exposed skin or clothing. Many lawn care and pest control professionals offer mosquito management programs.

Fire ants, a pest that first entered this country in the 1920s through Port Mobile, Ala., are now a serious problem for more than 40 million people living in the southern United States. Fire ants build shallow mounds on lawns and are often undetectable. Their stings cause itching, burning, swelling and, in the most severe cases, can be life threatening.

Fire ants are dangerous because when disturbed, they silently alert other ants in the nest of an intruder, and quickly blanket their target. Then, a pheromone is sent out to sound the alarm and the fire ants begin stinging all at once. Each ant can sting multiple times; and with colonies containing as many as 500,000 ants, the danger is unparalleled in the insect world.

There are more than 100 products currently labeled for fire ant mounds. However, many of these products provide only short-term solutions. Though they may provide temporary control, they do nothing for mounds that you can't see, or to prevent new ants from moving in. For a long-term solution to fire ants, contact a local lawn care or pest control professional. Only professionals can apply products like TopChoice, a revolutionary technology that provides control of fire ants for a full year with a single application. If you think you have a fire ant problem, contact your local lawn care or pest control professional; most provide free inspections. Or, visit www.nofireants.com ?for more information.

With a few simple precautions, you can keep your yard a safe and healthy place to eat, play, camp and relax.

Authors Website: http://www.aracontent.com/

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