Fall is nearly upon us here in New England. As leaves begin to change, there’s a stirring in the air. It’s not a cool fall breeze or disturbed air from falling leaves, however. It’s bees! More specifically, its Yellow Jackets and Wasps. And they are not happy. In fact, according to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), more than 500,000 people are sent to the emergency room each year due to stinging insects. Here in Springfield, Massachusetts, many of these stings happen in late summer. The question is, why?
As colonies develop in the summer months, the population of bees grows. NPMA Public Affairs Vice President states that, “by late summer, stinging insect colonies can contain an upwards of 4,000 members. Most species are busy preparing their queens for the winter ahead, and can therefore be more aggressive than earlier in the season.”
If you plan to spend time outdoors this fall, the first step in protecting yourself and your family from stinging insects is identifying which stinging insect you have encountered. The MassAudobon has a terrific resource on bees found in Massachusetts. From there, consider these tips from the NPMA:
Are you located in Springfield, Massachusetts or the surrounding Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut area? Do you have a concern about pests? We can help.
Contact us today.