Being stung by a wasp or bee can be very painful, and for some, can be life-threateneing if you are allergic to stings.  However, you are able to reduce these risks by taking sensible precautions when outdoors to ensure that wasp or bee nests are properly managed.

Wasps are often mistaken for bees and are also confused with other stinging insects.  They are also notorious for building their nests in places where people like to gather, like around your deck, in the eaves of your house, but they can also go undisturbed in attics and lofts until they are discovered in the spring.

Queen wasps emerge from hibernation in Springtime, when the days lengthen and the weather warms to start building a wasp nest, with more worker wasps hatching as the Summer progresses. Wasps are most active in the warmer summer months. 

Only female wasps have a sting that they can use repeatedly, if they feel threatened. Treating a wasp nest is often the most efficient way to control a wasp problem and reduce the threat of being stung.