Enjoying the Summer? Here’s 5 Tips on Staying Bug-Bite and Sting Free

August 24, 2021 | Last Updated: October 12, 2021

Home / The Orkin Blog / Enjoying the Summer? Here’s 5 Tips on Staying Bug-Bite and Sting Free

Summer is here and the outdoors are calling, but pests can ruin your poolside, lakeside or backyard fun. What‘s burger flipping to you can look like an act of aggression to specific pests, causing them to bite or sting to defend themselves and their homes. The resulting welts can be itchy and uncomfortable—and sometimes, even dangerous.

Behind the Bites and Stings

Bites and stings can leave bumps, blisters or swelling that are painful or itchy to you or your pets. They can also be far more dangerous if the pests carry a disease. Depending on the pest, some of the potential health risks include:

• Transmission of viruses and infections including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus and West Nile virus.
• Symptoms of fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, fainting and even convulsions.
• In a severe case of an allergy, bites and stings can cause anaphylaxis, which can consist of difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, swelling of the throat, and can even be fatal.

5 Ways to Play It Safe Outside

To help prevent bug bites and stings, below are our top tips to help you stay safe all summer long.

Mind Your Food

Watch where you place your food and drinks when you are outside. Keep picnic foods covered, garbage lids tightly sealed, and clean up food and crumbs immediately.

Keep It Tidy

Move wood piles away from structures, trim trees and shrubs, keep grass mowed and clear leaf and weed litter. If there’s standing water anywhere, find the source and remove it.

Watch Your Step

Avoid disturbing ant hills and wasp nests. These can be dangerous, and it is not recommended for you to tackle on your own. Contact your pest control provider for a proper and safe way to remove a nest.

Dress The Part

Wear insect repellant, long sleeves and pants to help protect yourself from mosquitos and ticks.

Check Yourself

After being outside in a dense vegetated area like the woods or tall grass, examine yourself and pets for ticks. If a tick bites you, they can be stuck in your skin and you need to take special care to remove them. Check out this video on how to safely remove ticks: VIDEO FOR TICK REMOVAL

The best way to avoid summer-spoiling pests is knowing what makes them tick. View our quick-reference guide for more information on pest identification, habits and prevention. Struggling with biting and stinging pests in your backyard? Call us today!

Biting pests guide

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We work hard to listen, understand and assess your unique situation. Request a free, no-obligation estimate today for a customized pest program that fits your needs.

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Alice Sinia Quality Assurance Manager – Regulatory/Lab Services

Reviewed by Alice Sinia, Ph.D., MSc on August 20, 2021.

Master of Science Degree in Pest Management (MSc.) – Simon Fraser University; BSc. (Hons) Biological Sciences (Entomology & Parasitology) – Makerere University; Advanced Level Certificate of Education – Trinity College; Ph.D. – University of Guelph)

With more than 20 years of experience, Alice is responsible for the management of the Orkin Canada Quality Assurance Laboratory located at our GTA Training Centre. She performs analytical entomology (investigates product adulteration using biochemical and comparative tissue methods), and provides technical support in pest/insect identification to branch offices and clients nationwide. In addition, Alice also prepares scientific reports for Orkin Canada clients, updates Orkin management on any changes or updates to any government regulations pertaining to the pest control industry. Alice also performs quality assurance account compliance audits.

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Remove pests from your home, and stop them from coming back

We work hard to listen, understand and assess your unique situation. Request a free, no-obligation estimate today for a customized pest program that fits your needs.

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