Hungry, Aggressive Yellowjackets Descend in the Fall
Spokane, WA (PRWEB) September 12, 2013 -- As leaves begin to change, the air becomes crisp and apples fall from trees, outdoor enthusiasts find themselves dodging angry, stinging yellowjackets. They're everywhere. And now that summer is ending, they're hungry.
By fall their population has exploded and desperate yellowjackets are on the hunt for the carbohydrate-rich foods they need to survive, swarming picnics, harvest parties, concession stands and barbecues.
“Up until now yellowjackets have had plenty of food, but towards the end of the season, there are more hungry adults and less food to keep them satisfied. At this time of year, they will do anything to fill their cravings,” explains Dr. Qing-He Zhang, director of research at Sterling International Inc., developers of RESCUE!® Yellowjacket Traps.
Desperate, yellowjackets will travel as far as three football fields from their nest to find food rich in sugar and carbohydrates. What they find are sodas, fruits, juices, candies, cakes, and even vegetables.
A type of wasp, yellowjackets pack a mean and aggressive attitude. Unlike bees, they don’t die once they attack and can sting multiple times. RESCUE!®, an innovator in all natural pest control, offers tips and tricks to protect against these aggressive pests.
Tips to avoid painful yellowjacket stings:
• Stay calm. Don’t swat at a yellowjacket or flail around. This just makes them more aggressive.
• Look before sipping. Yellowjackets love sugary sodas and sweet beverages and could hover around straws, bottles or even in soda cans.
• Keep trash covered and away from outdoor activities, such as barbecues and picnics.
• Avoid smashing or crushing a yellowjacket – doing so causes them to release an alarm pheromone that calls others to attack.
• Be bland. Avoid using scented perfumes, lotions or hairspray, or wearing bright colors as these all attract yellowjackets.
What to do if stung:
• Wash the area with soap and water
• Apply cold water or an ice pack
• Take an antihistamine to reduce swelling
• Apply a calamine product to reduce itching
• Don’t drink alcoholic beverages
• Seek medical attention immediately if swelling is severe, breathing is difficult or a dizzy feeling occurs
Tips for Trapping Yellowjackets
• Catch up to a dozen species of yellowjackets with the RESCUE!® Reusable Yellowjacket Trap. According to Dr. Zhang, the exclusive attractant lasts weeks without daily maintenance and can be refilled and reused for multiple seasons. RESCUE!® also makes a disposable version, which is ideal for taking along on camping trips or picnics. Plus, this trap won’t attract or trap beneficial honeybees or bumblebees.
• To catch wasps, and hornets in addition to yellowjackets, Dr. Zhang recommends the RESCUE!® W•H•Y® Trap. Baited with three attractants, the W•H•Y® Trap works from summer through fall and catches queens in the spring before they have a chance to build nests.
• For aerial and underground nests, Dr. Zhang suggests the all-natural RESCUE!® W•H•Y® Spray. The spray coats, penetrates and destroys the nest and its pesky inhabitants with all-natural plant oils, and it’s safe to use around people and pets. It also repels insects from returning to the treated nest.
This fall, get aggressive against hungry yellowjackets with the RESCUE!® Yellowjacket Traps or one of the RESCUE!® W•H•Y® products and enjoy fall picnics and outings without unwanted guests.
Established in 1982, Sterling International, Inc. offers RESCUE!® traps and attractants for stink bugs, wasps, hornets, yellowjackets, flies, Japanese and Oriental beetles and more. These products are prominently on shelves at home improvement centers, hardware stores and lawn & garden retailers throughout the U.S. and Canada. Find the closest retailer here. For more information and great tips, visit http://www.rescue.com. Follow RESCUE!® on Facebook and Twitter.
Megan Hostetter, Garden Media Group, http://www.gardenmediagroup.com, +1 6104443040, [email protected]
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