Avoid being eaten alive by bugs this summer – and learn how to cope when you are!

(NC) – It’s inevitable: spring and summer bring warmer weather – but they also bring pesky bugs. It’s hard to spend time outdoors without encountering the various insects on the ground, buzzing in your ear, chasing your food or floating in your drink. Here are some tips to reduce your bug bite count this summer, and how to cope if you do get bitten:

Keeping the bug bites away: During summer months, avoid using perfumes or hairsprays as the scents attract many insects. Wearing lighter colours can also help keep the bugs at bay. Dark colours attract heat and bright colours simulate flowers, both of which attract the insects. Keeping a long-sleeved shirt and pants nearby can come in handy as well. Using insect repellent or hanging around an open windy area such as the shore of a lake are effective ways to avoiding bug bites and stings.

Did you know: The redness and itching that accompany bites and stings are symptoms of an actual allergic reaction? “Reactions to bug bites and minor stings can be irritating and uncomfortable, but can be quickly relieved with the use of a topical over-the-counter antihistamine product such as Benadryl Itch Relief Stick or Benadryl Spray” says Shannon Koppenhoefer, a paramedic specializing in wilderness first-aid. “This is an effective option that gives quick relief within 15 minutes. The spray is particularly good when you don’t want to further irritate a rash by touching it, or when the itchy area is quite large.”

Avoiding the sting: Outdoor picnics and patios are a favourite summer perk but they often attract pesky bees and wasps. As frustrating as they can be, do not swat at a stinging insect, as they will feel threatened and will attack. Stay still and move away slowly. Checking your cup or bottle before drinking is also useful as insects that sting are often attracted to sugary substances.

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