When you spend time enjoying your home, you don't want to deal with the pain and annoyance of being stung by insects. There are measures you can take to protect yourself, such as covering up any exposed skin, spraying insect repellents, and the like. But what happens when those methods don't work? Stinging insects such as bees, Yellow Jackets, and even caterpillars don't often respond to superficial protection like sprays, and bug repellent candles can be hit-or-miss. This is not to say that these safety practices are entirely ineffective.
Bees are perhaps the most commonly known stinging insect throughout the world. They are notorious for dealing a painful puncture to unsuspecting individuals that find themselves accidentally disturbing a hive. Why do bees sting? For the same reason that most insects equipped with these tiny daggers do: they feel threatened, or the safety of their colony is at stake (such as when you poke at a hive in an attempt to remove it from your property). For many people, the sting amounts only to a few minutes of discomfort. Yet, for others (only about 0.5-4.0% of Americans), it can cause a severe allergic reaction. The sting is packed with a specialized venom (albeit a small amount) that causes the victim to feel a burning sensation.
Yellow Jackets can be thought of as the "amped up" versions of the average bee. These stinging bugs are much more aggressive than most other stinging insects you'll run into in California. They are remarkably territorial, so if you stumble upon the entrance to a nest – most likely in a bush, tree, or under your house's eaves – you'd better watch out. They are known to sting multiple times in one attack, not immediately dying as a bee does. Because of how hostile Yellow Jackets can be, it's best to get rid of a nest quickly and professionally.
Puss Caterpillars are another surprising member of the stinging insect category. These little bugs often appear to be soft and harmless, yet, they are not without a means to defend themselves from predators. You'll typically be able to recognize these creatures from their startlingly bright, unusual appearance. They may seem fuzzy at first glance, but make no mistake, those may be itty bitty spikes. Even brief physical contact with such a caterpillar can leave you with quite a bit of pain. The moment you touch it, the deceptive hairs separate from their bodies and begin to release their poison into your system. The typical reaction can range from mild to severe pain, itching, and even problems with the gastrointestinal tract. It's best to avoid these insects at all costs and call on an experienced pest control company to remove them.
If you have been battling stinging insects around your home, call on the experts at 101 Gopher & Pest Control. Regardless of whether the infestation is at your home or business, we provide over 20 years of expertise in getting rid of the problem. You can choose from a wide range of service types, from one-time to quarterly plans. No matter what you need, you can depend on 101 Gopher & Pest Control. Get in touch with us today to get rid of these stingers and find peace at your property once again.
