Sharing the Lab with Insects

1. Sharing the Lab with Insects Marty White March 22, 2010

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

3. Spiders • Most are helpful by eating other insects • 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

4. Bees and wasps • Do not disturb • 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

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

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