Protecting Your Business from Stinging Pests

Ian Williams, BCE CWCP PCQI

Entomologist, Rollins Entomology Department

• Ian Williams, BCE is an Entomologist for Rollins, Inc. where he works to support Rollins’ Field Operations, Marketing, and Training teams with technical guidance on products, protocols and policies to ensure the best results for our customers. Prior to that, he worked for over a decade with Trutech Wildlife Removal and Critter Control, both Rollins Brands, in various roles including Technician, Branch Manager and Training Manager. Ian is a Board Certified Entomologist, Certified Wildlife Control Professional and Preventive Controls Qualified Individual.

Summer is right around the corner, and it will be peak season for some of the most alarming pests — stinging insects. Whether you operate a restaurant with outdoor dining, manage a resort hotel, or multiple warehouse facilities, keep reading for our expert tips to prioritize a safe and healthy environment for your employees and customers.

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Why You Should Be Concerned About Stinging Pests at Your Facility

Stinging insects — like wasps, yellowjackets, and bees — are important in the ecosystem, and can be a huge nuisance to workers. Additionally, the “sting” in stinging insects often comes with a punch: venom. Some individuals can have serious allergic reactions to venom, which can be a life-threatening situation and why we want you to know what to do about them. Here are some other reasons to proactively manage stinging insects:

• Customer Safety: Your patrons should feel safe when interacting with your business. Whether it’s dining outdoors, shopping at a mall or visiting loved ones at a long-term care facility, they don’t expect to be stung. Keeping customers safe is a basic expectation for nearly all businesses, and one you should strive for.
• Employee Productivity: If your workforce is concerned about being stung, then they are not focused on the job at hand. For some, a fear of pests like stinging insects can even be a reason they miss work altogether. Keeping your employees safe and removing distractions is just good business. ?
• Building Damage: While some carpenter bees can cause cosmetic damage by chewing holes in wood and leaving excreta on your buildings, other stinging insects can cause much more serious damage. Honeybees, for instance, can set up a hive in a wall void and fill it with pounds and pounds of hive and honey, attracting other pests, staining surfaces and generally making a mess.

How to Help Prevent Stinging Pests Around Your Property

While you may not be able to avoid stinging insects entirely during warmer months, you can take a proactive approach to help keep them away from your business. Use the tips below to get a head start on keeping these pests away before peak season arrives:

• Fill unsealed cracks and crevices around your property that might make it easy for wasps and bees to sneak in, especially ones leading to wall or attic voids.
• Be mindful of your landscape and gardening choices. Certain species of trees, shrubs and flowers — while beautiful — can attract unwanted pollinators too close to your customers and employees.
• Keep exterior and interior workspaces clean and free from trash and food debris that might attract stinging pests. Nearly all nuisance stinging insects are attracted to sweet substances, and some are also attracted to protein sources at various times in the summer.
• Consider tools such as weatherstripping, air curtains and window screens to help keep stinging insects outdoors.

The above tips can give you a solid foundation when it comes to keeping stinging pests away from your employees and patrons. However, partnering with a knowledgeable and reliable pest control provider to customize a plan for your facility is the most effective and proactive way to keep them at bay.

Why It’s Best to Leave Stinging Insect Management to the Professionals

Though it may be tempting, taking matters into your own hands when it comes to dealing with stinging insects or nest removal is never a good idea. Here are a few reasons why:

• You may not have the right personal protective equipment (PPE) to help keep yourself safe from stings.
• Misidentifying the pest can lead to incorrect and non-effective treatment.
• You may not be aware of state regulations surrounding licensing for addressing certain stinging insects.

If you notice signs of stinging insects or a nest on your property, the best course of action is to stay away and contact a trusted pest control provider right away. If an employee or customer is stung and you are concerned about an allergic reaction, seek advice from a medical professional immediately.

Some benefits to having a professional pest control provider handle stinging insects are:

• They can accurately identify the type of pest and the treatment options that may be best.
• Reliable providers will typically arrive onsite within 24 hours to inspect and create a treatment plan so you can get back to work with minimum disruption.
• They are trained and equipped to address the issue immediately and safely to minimize risk to your business, staff and customers.

When reaching out to providers, confirm that they are licensed to provide removal services if your state requires this. If you already have a provider, have a conversation with them to clarify what is and is not covered by your current service to avoid surprises if an issue does pop up. By communicating clearly and early with your pest control provider, you can feel confident in receiving the best service, so you can shift your focus back to your business and customers without worrying about repeat issues.

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For more information on stinging pests, check out this blog. Need assistance with a pest issue? Get a free inspection from an Orkin Pro?.