Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/insects-and-bugs/5018932/
They have been around for centuries. They sting, they bite. They cause intense itching or painful sores. They even cause allergic reactions and sometimes death. Who are these creatures? And how can you protect yourself and your children from them?There are two types of insects that are pests to us humans �" those that sting and those that bite. The insects that bite do so with their mouths and include mosquitoes, chiggers, and ticks. Those that sting do so with a stinger at the other end of their bodies. Bees have a barbed stinger and leave their stinger behind. Wasps and fire ants have smooth stingers and can sting again.
Wasps (group includes yellow jackets and hornets) for the most part are solitary and won’t bother you if you don’t bother them. This, unfortunately, is not always true for the yellow jackets. In late summer they are frequent guests at picnics and will attack if food becomes scarce.
How do you avoid being stung by bees and wasps?
• Don’t use sweet smelling soaps and lotions or fragrant wet wipes.
• At picnics keep food covered. Some people have suggested that putting out a ‘decoy’ �" sugary food �" some distance away from ...