Stinging Insects Are Here! If you have a problem with bees, hornets or wasps, Rapid Pest Solutions can help. We will treat and, when possible, remove the nest. Don’t get stung! Protect your family and pets. Take $20 off a stinging insect service. Contact us for details.
Offer valid for new customers only. Some restrictions may apply.
$25 DOLLARS OFF!
They’re baaaack – The ANTS are back. Take $25 off your first service when you purchase an ongoing service program. Valid for new customers only. Some restrictions may apply. Contact us for details. Offer valid through April 30, 2019.
REMEMBER – we treat for mosquitoes and wasps, too.
HAVE A BEE IN YOUR BONNET? Rapid Pest Solutions treats various stinging insects including, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, carpenter bees and ground-nesting wasps. We provide nest removal when accessible. Call today and take $20 OFF your service!
Offer valid through September 30th. New customers only. Some restrictions may apply.
Nobody wants to be the recipient of a sting. Not from a bee, wasp or hornet. The whole experience just screams NOT FUN! Unfortunately if you plan on spending any time outside this summer you put yourself at risk for a possible sting. It’s not as if the risk is incredibly high but it is there. I’m going to help you out, first by telling you how to avoid a possible sting and then by telling you how to treat a sting should you be one of those unlucky enough to get one.
Floral scents attract bees
Don’t Smell Pretty – Bees and wasps are attracted to sweet, flowery scents. Perfume, laundry detergents, hair care products, lotions, etc. will attract bees and wasps.
Don’t Smell Badly – Bees and wasps become agitated around the strong odor of sweat. If you’ve been working outside or working out, freshen up with unscented soap and water before any activity where you may come into contact with bees or wasps.
Dress For It – Dress in light colored, loose fitting clothing. Long pants and sleeves are best although this could make you rather warm. Stay away from floral prints and dark colors.
No Cans – When drinking outside, use a see through cup. Wasps are notorious for crawling into soda cans. Also, be careful when eating fruits or sugary foods outside as these will attract the bees and wasps too.
Be careful when barefoot. You don’t want to step on a bee or wasp.
No Barefeet – Going barefoot is my favorite! Any time I can get away with no shoes I’m a happy camper. However, wasps often make their nests in the ground and bees may be collecting nectar from the flowers. You don’t want to step on one them!
Keep Away – Try to stay away from nests and hives. Bees and wasps will defend their territory. Even the most docile will protect their home.
Stay Calm – When a bee or wasp comes into your area it is not a good idea to wave your arms about rapidly and become hysterical. This behavior will be considered a threat and will invite stinging.
What if those suggestions to prevent stings don’t work, you ask? What if I still get stung? Most important is to STAY CALM. You will want to act quickly once stung. Cooler heads will prevail.
A stinger with venom sac attached.
Remove The Stinger – Do this as soon as possible. The stinger injects venom into the body so remove it right away. Use fingernails or tweezers – just get it out!
Clean The Area – Wash the area of the sting with soap and water.
Ice It – Apply a cold compress or ice. This will help reduce swelling. (and pain)
A bee sting with a normal reaction. A dot in the middle with bulls-eye type swelling around it.
Ease Symptoms – Apply a hydro-cortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce itching. You may also choose to take an oral antihistamine (like Benadryl) to help with itching, swelling and redness.
If you are allergic to stings or have any symptoms of anaphylactic shock – seek medical treatment IMMEDIATELY.
You are now armed with the information needed to avoid a sting and treat one. Don’t let bees, wasps and other stinging insects keep you from enjoying your summer. Be aware of your surroundings and you can still enjoy your fun in the sun.
If you suspect a bee or wasp nest around your home or yard, contact Rapid Pest Solutions. We can help.
Are mosquitoes, bees, and wasps ruining your Summer fun? Rapid Pest Solutions can help. We offer mosquito reduction and treatment of stinging insects including removal of the nest when possible. Take $25 off your first service! Don’t let these pests keep you from enjoying your yard.
Offer valid through August 31st. New customers only. Some restrictions may apply.
WATCH OUT FOR STINGING INSECTS! This is the time of year when wasps, hornets, and bees are active. Rapid Pest Solutions can help! In some cases, we can also remove the nest. Receive $20 off your stinging insect service. Offer ends September 30th. Call us for details. New customers only. Some restrictions may apply.
Nobody wants to be the recipient of a sting. Not from a bee, wasp or hornet. The whole experience just screams NOT FUN! Unfortunately if you plan on spending any time outside this summer you put yourself at risk for a possible sting. It’s not as if the risk is incredibly high but it is there. I’m going to help you out, first by telling you how to avoid a possible sting and then by telling you how to treat a sting should you be one of those unlucky enough to get one.
Floral scents attract bees
Don’t Smell Pretty – Bees and wasps are attracted to sweet, flowery scents. Perfume, laundry detergents, hair care products, lotions, etc. will attract bees and wasps.
Don’t Smell Badly – Bees and wasps become agitated around the strong odor of sweat. If you’ve been working outside or working out, freshen up with unscented soap and water before any activity where you may come into contact with bees or wasps.
Dress For It – Dress in light colored, loose fitting clothing. Long pants and sleeves are best although this could make you rather warm. Stay away from floral prints and dark colors.
No Cans – When drinking outside, use a see through cup. Wasps are notorious for crawling into soda cans. Also, be careful when eating fruits or sugary foods outside as these will attract the bees and wasps too.
Be careful when barefoot. You don’t want to step on a bee or wasp.
No Barefeet – Going barefoot is my favorite! Any time I can get away with no shoes I’m a happy camper. However, wasps often make their nests in the ground and bees may be collecting nectar from the flowers. You don’t want to step on one them!
Keep Away – Try to stay away from nests and hives. Bees and wasps will defend their territory. Even the most docile will protect their home.
Stay Calm – When a bee or wasp comes into your area it is not a good idea to wave your arms about rapidly and become hysterical. This behavior will be considered a threat and will invite stinging.
What if those suggestions to prevent stings don’t work, you ask? What if I still get stung? Most important is to STAY CALM. You will want to act quickly once stung. Cooler heads will prevail.
A stinger with venom sac attached.
Remove The Stinger – Do this as soon as possible. The stinger injects venom into the body so remove it right away. Use fingernails or tweezers – just get it out!
Clean The Area – Wash the area of the sting with soap and water.
Ice It – Apply a cold compress or ice. This will help reduce swelling. (and pain)
A bee sting with a normal reaction. A dot in the middle with bulls-eye type swelling around it.
Ease Symptoms – Apply a hydro-cortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce itching. You may also choose to take an oral antihistamine (like Benadryl) to help with itching, swelling and redness.
If you are allergic to stings or have any symptoms of anaphylactic shock – seek medical treatment IMMEDIATELY.
You are now armed with the information needed to avoid a sting and treat one. Don’t let bees, wasps and other stinging insects keep you from enjoying your summer. Be aware of your surroundings and you can still enjoy your fun in the sun.
If you suspect a bee or wasp nest around your home or yard, contact Rapid Pest Solutions. We can help.
It’s that time of year – people will be spending a lot of time outside. BBQ’s, parties, the park and zoo, bike riding, walking, the beach – you name it. All of this time spent participating in outdoor activities puts us at risk of coming in contact with the dreaded STINGING INSECT! Da Da Dun!!!
For us in the NW Indiana and Chicago area, our most common stinging insects will include three main types, bees, wasps and hornets. There are subcategories to each of these but we are going to talk about them in a mostly general sense. Here we go!
There are several types of bees that we could encounter in our area. Bumble Bees, Carpenter Bees, Honey Bees and the list goes on. Male carpenter bees don’t have a stinger, therefore they are harmless, although they will act very aggressive. The other types of bees can and will sting, but are not overly aggressive and will usually only attack when threatened. For more information on Carpenter Bees check out this blog.
Hornet
There is one main type of hornet that we have here in this area and that is the European Hornet. Hornets are large, about an inch and a half long, and are yellow and brown in color. Hornets are pretty aggressive and their sting packs quite a punch. A hornet’s nest is usually high off the ground. It may be hanging from a tree or from the eaves of a house and they are approximately the size of a football.
There are many types of wasps. Cicada Killers, Yellow Jackets and Paper Wasps are just a few that we come across in this area.
Cicada Killer With Cicada
Paper Wasp Nest
While you are outside this summer, be aware of your surroundings and stay away from the nests of stinging insects. If you do encounter a stinging insect, keep calm. As I said, many of these insects are not aggressive and will leave you alone. If you realize that you have some unwanted visitors nesting around your home or in your trees, give Rapid Pest Solutions a call. We can take care of these nests for you so that you may enjoy your time outside, all season long!
Memorial Day is a time to celebrate and remember our veterans that gave their lives fighting for our country. Rapid Pest Solutions honors all who have served, past and present.
Our heroes
There are many ways people choose to celebrate the day. There are parades and memorial services to honor our fallen heroes. There are also cookouts and BBQ’s with family and friends to celebrate the freedom that we have. A freedom that is due to our soldiers.
While participating in these outdoor activities you may find yourself having a run in with ants, mosquitoes, bees and other stinging insects. Let’s list some things you can do to limit the number of issues you have with these pests.
Another pest concern that you may not associate with the holiday weekend is bed bugs. Why, you ask? Many people travel for the holiday, staying with friends and family or in hotels. Bed bugs are hitchhikers. You could pick them up on your travels and bring them back to your own home. Be vigilant while traveling, inspect your sleeping area.
Rapid Pest Solutions is here for any pest problems you may have, and any uninvited guests that made the journey home with you too. Contact us for questions, information, pricing and more.
You may be looking for a fun activity for the family. Why not try the Field Museum in Chicago? They have a great underground bug adventure. Check it out here!!! http://www.fieldmuseum.org/happening/exhibits/underground-adventure
This is a Bald-Faced Hornets nest. Typically found in trees or bushes higher off the ground. The shape is somewhat round and about the size of a basketball.
A Yellow Jacket nest may have some of the same characteristics as a hornets nest. However, wasps are not as picky about where they will build. You can find these nests at ground level, in the eaves or built in connection to something else.
Paper Wasps build small nests with an open comb pattern. These nests tend to be smaller and are tucked away in closed areas – the corners of the roof or under a patio umbrella.
Cicada Killer Wasps build their nests in the ground. They are very large and will dig holes in the dirt around your home and driveway. Look for this tell-tale sign!
Mud Dauber’s build cylindrical nests. These unique looking wasps aren’t quite as common as yellow jackets but if you see this type of nest be warned.
By the way, this is a Mud Dauber.
