National Pest Management Association Offers Homeowners Tips to Minimize Health and Property Threats Associated with Wasps
Summer brings warmer temperatures that beckon people outdoors. However, a major summer pest that can pose significant threats to outdoor revelers is the wasp. Known for their unprovoked aggression, wasps nest in protected areas including voids in walls and ceilings in homes. Living in colonies ranging between 1,500 and 15,000, wasps typically sting humans near nesting sites or if swatted away from a food source.
"With wasps and other stinging insects sending more than 500,000 people to emergency rooms every year, it's critical to understand the risks associated with leaving an infestation untreated," said Greg Baumann, vice president of technical services and senior scientist for NPMA. "Although summer is a time to enjoy the outdoors, it is crucial for homeowners to be vigilant. Utilizing an integrated pest management (IPM) approach of inspection, identification and treatment can help, especially long term, to prevent wasps from infesting one's home."
The NPMA offers the following tips to help protect homeowners from wasp encounters throughout the summer months:
- When outdoors, wear shoes, especially in grassy areas.
- As wasps are attracted to sweets, do not leave drinks or food in accessible areas.
- Keep windows and doors properly screened.
- Promptly remove garbage and store it in sealed receptacles.
- Do not swing/swat at stinging insects as it increases the likelihood of an aggressive reaction.
- If stung, seek immediate medical attention as reactions can be severe.
Due to the extremely aggressive nature of wasps, Baumann recommends that homeowners contact a licensed pest control professional rather than attempt to remedy an infestation on their own. The expertise possessed by pest professionals offers the best chance to rid a property of wasps and prevent future infestations.
For more information regarding wasps or to find a pest professional in your area, visit:www.pestworld.org. To learn more about an IPM approach to preventing and treating these pests, visit WhatisIPM.org.
NPMA, a non-profit organization with more than 5,000 members, was established in 1933 and in 2008 celebrates its 75th anniversary supporting the pest management industry's commitment to the protection of public health, food and property.