Sharing the Lab with Sharing the Lab with InsectsInsects

Marty White Marty White March 22, March 22, 20102010

Encounters Increase in Encounters Increase in SpringSpring

During spring and summer insect During spring and summer insect encounters increase – including encounters increase – including spiders, bees, wasps, ticks & spiders, bees, wasps, ticks & mosquitoesmosquitoes

SpidersSpiders

Most are helpful by eating Most are helpful by eating other insectsother insects

Few are dangerous – rarely Few are dangerous – rarely fatalfatal– Black widow - generally live in Black widow - generally live in

trash, closets, attics, woodpiles, trash, closets, attics, woodpiles, garages and other dark placesgarages and other dark places

– Wolf Spider – 1” – 4” across, in Wolf Spider – 1” – 4” across, in tunnelstunnels

– Brown Recluse – not in Northern Brown Recluse – not in Northern CaliforniaCalifornia

Bees and waspsBees and wasps

Do not disturbDo not disturb Officials warn people to stay Officials warn people to stay

away from bee swarms and away from bee swarms and avoid loud noises or wild avoid loud noises or wild movements that may disturb movements that may disturb the bees the bees

If stung, apply a paste of If stung, apply a paste of water and meat tenderizer water and meat tenderizer containing Papain (Adolph’s) – containing Papain (Adolph’s) – it breaks down the venom it breaks down the venom proteinsproteins

TicksTicks

Ticks are the leading carriers (vectors) Ticks are the leading carriers (vectors) of diseases to humans in the United of diseases to humans in the United States, second only to mosquitoes States, second only to mosquitoes worldwide worldwide

Stay on pavement at LabStay on pavement at Lab If hiking, wear long light-colored If hiking, wear long light-colored

clothing and tuck pants into bootsclothing and tuck pants into boots Use DEET insect repellentUse DEET insect repellent Check pets Check pets

MosquitoesMosquitoes

Dump standing waterDump standing water DEET insect repellentDEET insect repellent Apply meat tenderizer or anti-Apply meat tenderizer or anti-

itch cream to biteitch cream to bite Dragon flies are predatorsDragon flies are predators Some people are more attractive Some people are more attractive

to mosquitoesto mosquitoes