When Insects Attack…

It’s barbecue and picnic weather people and along with the ribeyes and grilled brats comes the ever present danger of bees and wasps. Few things can ruin a party faster than a trip to the ER when Aunt Mable’s throat closes up after a bee sting.

Where there is food there is going to be bugs, but there are some ways to can lessen the possibility of collateral damage and let Aunt Mable eat in peace.

Recon

Every good soldier needs to do a little reconnaissance before setting up the grill and picnic tables. The day before, go out and check to make sure there aren’t any wasp nests or holes and beehives near by. Brats on the grill will inevitably bring the neighbors, but when your neighbors are wasps, that spells trouble. Find a spot clear of nests and as far away from the house as possible.

Don’t bother with the bug sprays

Bug sprays will do a good job of keeping off the mosquitoes, but don’t bet on a wasp or bee repellant. Those critters go where there’s food, and no amount of chemical deterrent short of an insecticide will keep them from getting up in your grill. (Ha, I made a pun.) The bad thing about insecticides is that they don’t go well with large amounts of food. No one wants to eat, and later throw up, insecticide potato salad.

Cover it up

The food is what attracts the bees and wasps, so keep them covered up and in the home for as long as possible. When the eating starts, cover them back up after putting a pound of fruit salad on your plate. This keeps the bugs away and keeps Aunt Mable from dishing up Wasp Surprise.

Freaking out doesn’t help

Aunt Mable hates bees, as we’ve already established. So when one lands on her tiramisu, her first reaction is to jump up and down, screaming, “Bee, bee, dear god, there’s a bee!” This doesn’t help. All Aunt Mable is agitating the bee and having it send out pheromones to the hive to attack. Aunt Mable still ends up in the hospital and you’re on the never hosting a barbecue again list.

First Aid Kit

Aunt Mable better carry her own allergy pen, but you should have a first aid kit on hand in case people get bit. Bandages, alcohol and anti inflammatory/pain medication should be on hand. You might want to stock some Tums as well, in case the steaks don’t turn out quite right.

Bees and wasps are going to happen, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared.

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