Sharing the Lab with Insects Marty White March 22, 2010

Encounters Increase in Spring During spring and summer insect encounters increase – including spiders, bees, wasps, ticks & mosquitoes During spring and summer insect encounters increase – including spiders, bees, wasps, ticks & mosquitoes

Spiders Most are helpful by eating other insects Most are helpful by eating other insects Few are dangerous – rarely fatal Few are dangerous – rarely fatal –Black widow - generally live in trash, closets, attics, woodpiles, garages and other dark places –Wolf Spider – 1” – 4” across, in tunnels –Brown Recluse – not in Northern California

Bees and wasps Do not disturb Do not disturb Officials warn people to stay away from bee swarms and avoid loud noises or wild movements that may disturb the bees Officials warn people to stay away from bee swarms and avoid loud noises or wild movements that may disturb the bees If stung, apply a paste of water and meat tenderizer containing Papain (Adolph’s) – it breaks down the venom proteins If stung, apply a paste of water and meat tenderizer containing Papain (Adolph’s) – it breaks down the venom proteins

Ticks Ticks are the leading carriers (vectors) of diseases to humans in the United States, second only to mosquitoes worldwide Ticks are the leading carriers (vectors) of diseases to humans in the United States, second only to mosquitoes worldwide Stay on pavement at Lab Stay on pavement at Lab If hiking, wear long light-colored clothing and tuck pants into boots If hiking, wear long light-colored clothing and tuck pants into boots Use DEET insect repellent Use DEET insect repellent Check pets Check pets

Mosquitoes Dump standing water Dump standing water DEET insect repellent DEET insect repellent Apply meat tenderizer or anti-itch cream to bite Apply meat tenderizer or anti-itch cream to bite Dragon flies are predators Dragon flies are predators Some people are more attractive to mosquitoes Some people are more attractive to mosquitoes