How to Protect Yourself from Stinging Pests this Summer

The warm weather is here and summer is in full swing! That means grilling, lounging with our feet in a kiddie pool (or, you know, an actual pool if you have one available to you), and just enjoying the sunshine.

But where there’s sun and fun, there’s also often stinging pests! This is the time of year where bees and wasps thrive, looking for something sweet to feed on. Unfortunately, that sometimes means disrupting our backyard barbecues or other activities.

Luckily, there are a few things you can do to keep stinging pests away. Here are some tips to help you maximize your fun in the sun this summer without having to worry about getting stung.

Keep It Clean and Covered

Like many insects, bees and wasps love trash. They particularly like sugary, sticky stuff like soda cans, popsicle sticks, and fruit rinds or pits —all the stuff commonly thrown into trashcans during summer. The first thing you can do to prevent attracting stinging pests is to clear out your trashcan. Simply fill it with a squirt or two of dish liquid and spray it down with the hose. Don’t forget to get the inside of the lid, too!

Speaking of lids, make sure all your trashcans are fully covered. That will keep whatever trash you have from attracting stinging pests looking to soothe their sweet tooth.

Cover Your Food

Something else to keep covered is any food you might have while spending time outside. We all love eating outside when the weather’s nice, but the smells that entice us can also be interesting to plenty of bees and wasps. That means at least putting plastic covers over open plates and bowls, but you can also use simple plastic wrap or reusable food covers (a far more eco-friendly option).

Dress for the Season

Sometimes it pays to be stealthy in your own backyard. If you’re spending time outside, it’s best to avoid wearing dark-colored clothing, including red, as bees and wasps perceive those colors as a threat.

Stinging pests are also drawn to flowers by scent, and perfume and cologne can trick them into thinking you’re a flower! If you like to wear scents, it might be best to skip the spray on days you’ll be outside.