INSECT ALLERGIES: AVOIDING BEE STINGS AND INSECT BITES

Staying clear of our lively winged assailants isn’t always easy, but there are several steps you can take to minimize the chances that you will tangle with a stinging or biting insect.

How to avoid bee stings

• Stay away from beehives and known nests. Call a beekeeper or the local council if bees choose your immediate environment to form a colony.

• Have wasp and hornet nests removed while they are still small enough to handle.

• Persons allergic to insects should be wary of power mowing, hedge clipping, scything and the like.

• Avoid looking and smelling like a flower during bee-sting season: avoid bright-coloured clothing. Light green, white, tan and khaki are the safest colours. Forswear perfumes and sweet-smelling lotions, creams, shampoos and hairsprays if you plan to be outdoors.

• Don’t wear floppy clothing, and do tie up long hair; both can entangle the stinging insects and anger them into doing their worst.

• Don’t go barefoot or wear sandals – the foot is vulnerable. Stay away from clover patches, flower gardens and other places where bees are busy.

• Keep an insecticide spray in the glove compartment of the car (along with the insect-sting kit) for use if a bee flies in, a very common occurrence.

• If an attack seems imminent, do not swat at the bee or bees and do not flail your arms. Retreat slowly, keep calm and make no sudden movement. If retreat is impossible, lie down and cover your head with your arms.

• Be wary of litter bins and rotting fruit under trees -favorite attractions for bees and wasps.

• Discourage allergic youngsters from eating sweets, ice cream cones and drinking soft drinks outdoors during warm months. They attract bees, wasps and hornets.

How to avoid ant stings

• Avoid anthills and mounds.

• Keep arms, legs and feet covered since they are the areas most frequently stung.

• Do not leave food uncovered or uncontained within the house, since this is an open invitation to ants.

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