Yellow Jacket Season Strikes

Fall is the season when yellow jacket populations reach their peak and in some areas of the United States, approach what is known as “outbreak epidemic populations.” As a result, this is the time of year when hospital emergency departments report their highest number of sting victims.

According to Miles Guralnick, president and chief entomologist at Vespa Laboratories, Inc, the world’s leader in the manufacturing of stinging insect venoms used for allergy vaccines, “in some areas of the country, yellow jacket nest populations can number in the tens of thousands and population density can be as high as ten nests per acre. As each nest reaches its peak population, food supplies are dwindling causing them to scavenge in exposed food areas such as picnics and garbage cans. Yellow jackets also present an additional threat because they typically nest in the ground, which puts them in a direct line of fire with your lawnmower. This close contact with our outdoor activities is why so many people are stung in the fall.”

To protect ourselves from this hostile horde, the Patient’s Guide published in Physician Assistant magazine offers the following tips:

*Wear light colored, nonfloral patterned clothing that covers all exposed skin.

*Wear shoes and socks at all times.

*Do not wear scented products such as perfume when outdoors.

*Cover all food and drinks when eating outdoors, especially beverage cans. 

*Be cautious around garbage cans and pools of water.

*Remain calm when approached by an insect. Do not swat or flail at it.

*Have problem nests professionally exterminated.

If you are stung, the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) cautions that if you experience symptoms such as troubled breathing, hives, fainting or any symptoms other than pain, itching, redness and swelling at the sting site, you may be having an allergic reaction and should seek medical attention immediately.

If you have had an allergic reaction, you are at high risk of having a similar or worse reaction the next time you are stung. For insect sting allergic individuals, the ACAAI recommends seeing an allergist who can evaluate you for a vaccination program that is highly effective in immunizing against future allergic reactions.

For a free information booklet on insect stings and insect sting allergy written by the ACAAI, call 800-23-STING.