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Bumble Bees These bees most commonly become a problem when they establish nests close to a sidewalk or near building foundations. Bumble bees are large, robust bees covered with dense black and yellow hairs. They commonly reach one inch in length. Bumble bees usually are not overly aggressive, but will sting if molested. To avoid confrontations with bumble bees, stay clear of patches of flowers visited by adults. These bees can be controlled by spraying or dusting insecticides into their nests. Retreatment may be necessary. What to do? Naturally, there are many kinds of bees, and other insects for that matter, about which we should be concerned. The following are some good rules of thumb to keep in mind. 1. The best way to avoid being stung is to avoid the insect. Remember, almost all of these insects sting to protect their colony. 2. Keep your eyes and ears open for swarms. 3. Look for insects flying in or out of openings such as a crack in the wall, an open pipe end or a well vault lid. 4. Be careful of tall grass as some bees build their hives at ground level. �- 5. Be careful of pointed structures, especially in barns, storage sheds, outbuildings as bees often build hives in those structures. 6. Avoid wearing citrus or floral aftershaves or perfumes, they are sensitive to odors. 7. Wear light colored clothing, experience shows these insects are attracted to dark colors. 8. Fill in cracks or crevices, close open ends of pipes 9. Once you rile up these insects, the best thing you can do is run away as fast as possible. Do not retrieve nearby belongings. Do not run into traffic. Do not stand still, you can't fool them. Do not try to fight them, such as flail you arms or slap at them. This will upset them more. Just keep running. Africanized bees have chased people for more than a '/ of a mile. Any covering for your body, especially your head and face, will enhance your escape. If nothing else pull your shirt up +.. over your face. A few bites on your belly and chest won't be as bad as a few bites to your face and eyes can be. Although tempting, do not jump into water. They will wait for you to come up for air. 10. Staff should know if they are allergic to bee stings and carry an epipen with them. 11. Project managers should find out who on their staff are allergic and emphasize the importance of them obtaining and carrying an epipen. Insect Sting Reactions �.. Insect sting reactions can be classified into three types -a normal reaction, a toxic reaction, and an allergic reaction. A normal reaction, lasts only a few hours, involves pain, redness, swelling, itching, and warmth at the site of the sting. A toxic reaction lasts for several days, results from multiple stings �. and causes muscle cramps, headache, fever, and drowsiness. An allergic reaction is similar to a toxic reaction but is triggered with only one sting. An allergic reaction can involve one or more of the following: hives, itching, and swelling in areas other than the sting site; tightness in the chest and difficulty in breathing; a hoarse voice or swelling of the tongue; dizziness or a sharp drop in blood pressure; and unconsciousness or cardiac arrest. V STANTEC Consulting Corporation Attachment 8