This story from Texas is sad, but it gives us insight into the fact that just one sting from an insect could kill you. “Texas student dies after allergic reaction reportedly caused by ants on football field“.
Just one sting from a honeybee or wasp can kill some people, it is more rare for Fire Ants to kill someone. However the Red Imported Fire Ant continues its move across the U.S. Here is some information from the University of Florida – IFAS office on Red Imported Fire Ants.
Yes and no, actually it’s a wasp and yes it can sting. They were actually called “Cow Killers” and can add a real punch when stung – it was said that a female sting was so painful that it could actually kill a cow. They are a solitary wasp and are found throughout the U.S., the females are large, wingless and hairy. They are 1/8 to 1 inch in length and can be orange, red, yellow black or white. The males don’t have stingers and also they have wings. They are rated Class IV and a tarantula sting at a Class II. Remember wasps, hornets, yellow-jackets all can sting multiple times while honeybees can only sting once (unless its the Queen – no barbs on her stinger). Do you know why – Comment below.
NO need to worry, just don’t pick them up or accidentally step on one and you will be fine. Another reason to always wear shoes in Arizona, scorpions to Velvet ants (wasps).
Many types of plants, including fruit and vegetable crops, depend on animals for pollination. Although honey bees are often first thought of as pollinators, many other types of animals pollinate crops and wildflowers, including wild bees, ants, beetles, wasps, lizards, birds, and bats. The EPA is concerned about declines in pollinator health, and is working to protect bees and other pollinators from pesticide risks through regulatory actions, voluntary changes to pesticide use by registrants and research programs aimed at increasing the understanding of factors associated with declining pollinator health.
ProBest Pest Management and the National Pest Management Association are continuing to watch as this story developes.
Mud daubers are not Termites!
I sometimes get called to homes to find that they see a Mud dauber nest and not a termite mud tunnel.
Picture #1 is a Mud dauber wasp nest and there are a variety of shapes and styles but basically a glob of dirt molded by the female wasp to hide/protect her eggs. She will lay an egg and usually provide it with paralyzed spiders.
Picture #2 and #3 are Subterranean termite mud shelter tubes, typically much more slender in size.
http://en.wikipedia.org
The good news – if it is a Mud dauber – just scrape the mud off the house – that’s it. The bad news if it’s termites – I think you should call ProBest Pest Management!
What happens when you get stung?
Food allergy is the leading cause of anaphylaxis; however, medications, insect stings, and latex can also cause an allergic reaction that leads to anaphylaxis.
I found this article in Pest Management Professional magazine November 2012 and they listed the source http://www.niaid.nih.gov the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
When stung call 911 or Poison Control immediatley if you are a known allergic or if you experience symptoms.
Wasps can be nasty little flying stinging bugs. Their stingers can sting multiple time, no barbs. They also hand out in bushes, under eaves and places which may afford them some privacy but easy access to you and possible attacks. I even seen and had it happen to me where one blew into the car window and went down my shirt – stung a few times before I could pull over and get it out.
Have you ever thought that the bug was out to get you, have you thought to yourself I think that bug is watching me or making plans to attack me? Maybe it wasn’t to far from the truth, maybe the wasp recognized your face and remembered it. Any stories that relate to your opinion about the bugs that are out to get you!
Photo by PPMA
