Little Creatures, Big Problems: Bugs to Avoid During Summer

For most people, the summer months are a great time for fun and relaxation. Unfortunately, this time of the year is not without its drawbacks, among them the presence of rather unpleasant bugs. Listed below are some of the more notorious creatures found during the summer season:

  • Black Widow Spider: Everyone has heard of the black widow spider, and everyone knows about their nasty reputation. This reputation is well-deserved, as the venom of these spiders is fifteen times stronger than that of a rattlesnake. Despite this fact, deaths from black widow bites are actually a rare occurrence. Symptoms from these bites can include breathing difficulties, muscle aches and nausea.
  • Tarantulas: Another notorious spider, tarantulas are massive arachnids, potentially growing to the size of a personal pan pizza. Though they are certainly scary, tarantulas are actually afraid of people, and typically only bite humans if they feel threatened. Moreover, their venom is not lethal, though it does cause some pretty painful rashes to appear on the skin.
  • Africanized Bees: Ever hear of Killer Bees? They do in fact exist, and they are also commonly known as Africanized bees. At first glance, Africanized bees are nearly indistinguishable from European honey bees, though they can be spotted by their slightly smaller size and their golden/dark brown coloring. They are known as “killer bees” due to their tendency to attack targets in a frenzied manner. To keep killer bees at bay, avoid putting on sweet-smelling perfume or cologne. Discarded food containers should be thoroughly rinsed before being tossed in the garbage. Finally, it bears mentioning that these bees are usually attracted to dark colors, floral prints and loose-fitting clothes.
  • Mosquitoes: No one likes mosquitoes, and for good reason – who hasn’t had to deal with multiple mosquito bites at once? In addition, mosquitoes are also capable of transmitting disease such as malaria, yellow fever, West Nile virus, and Zika. You can ward off these pests by applying mosquito repellent.
  • Red Fire Ants: As their name indicates, red fire ants are not pleasant to be around once they are angered. Their bites are painful, and might even trigger allergic reactions. Steer clear of their nests, which have a telltale mound shape.

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