Summer, the great heat makes insects increasingly aggressive. Here’s how to defend yourself –

The increasingly high temperatures of this summer of 2024 are making insects, especially wasps and hornets, increasingly aggressive while in Italy the so-called ‘alien species’ continue to proliferate, animals, that is, not native to the country, but ‘imported’. The Italian Society of Environmental Medicine is raising the alarm on the dangers that we run with the heat of these days. “The episodes of wasp and hornet stings are increasing, a trend directly linked to the heat waves that have affected our country – explains the president Alessandro Miani -. The increase in average temperatures, then, together with the globalization of trade, causes the spread of new animal species such as Asian bugs, African grasshoppers, Japanese beetles, red ants, etc., which find in our increasingly warm territory the ideal habitat to live and proliferate – continues Miani -. Insects that devastate crops generating damage estimated at over a billion euros per year”.

Here is a ready-to-use guide, created by Sima, in case of insect bites.

TICKS – Carbon dioxide emitted by the human body attracts these parasites that can attach themselves to our skin to suck blood. Ticks can be vectors of diseases that are transmissible to humans such as Lyme borreliosis, ehrlichiosis, rickettsial spotted fever, tularemia, Q fever, babesiosis, viral encephalitis and even Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. How to defend yourself: wear light-colored clothing that makes it easier to spot ticks, cover your arms and legs, avoid rubbing the grass along the edge of paths, do not go into areas where the grass is tall. Use products against ticks on pets. What to do in case of a bite: never use alcohol, gasoline, acetone, trichloroethylene, ammonia, oil or grease, or red-hot objects. The tick must be removed with tweezers, taking great care not to crush the body of the tick, to avoid regurgitation which would increase the possibility of transmission of pathogens. After removal, disinfect the area, avoiding touching the tick with bare hands. If symptoms of disease appear (fever, headache, weakness, joint pain) contact your doctor immediately.

TIGER MOSQUITO – In Italy there are about 60 species of mosquitoes, compared to the more than 3000 present in the whole world. Among these the most fearsome is the tiger mosquito, which proliferates in places where there are pools of water. Among the diseases transmitted to humans, there are dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. How to defend yourself: eliminate their habitat, avoiding accumulations of water in saucers, watering cans, bins; water gardens and plants directly with the pumps; treat every 7-10 days with specific products for domestic use the external parts of the houses where water collects; use repellents against the tiger mosquito based on active ingredients including deet and icaridin. In closed places use electric vaporizers against mosquitoes, keeping the rooms well ventilated. What to do in case of a bite: do not scratch yourself, so as to avoid spreading the stinging substance present around the bite injected by the mosquito; use specific products that relieve itching, easily available on the market; place an ice cube on the bite. In case of particularly significant swelling, consult your pharmacist or doctor.

BEES, WASPS AND HORNETS – Their stings, in most cases, cause a local reaction with a skin manifestation of a few centimeters in diameter, pain, redness and swelling. The most aggressive are wasps. About 10% of people stung by these insects have serious reactions such as generalized urticaria, nausea, vomiting, dyspnea and difficulty breathing, and a drop in blood pressure. In some cases, anaphylactic shock may occur with a serious drop in blood pressure that can even lead to death. How to defend yourself: install mosquito nets on doors and windows; ensure proper waste and food management; avoid the uncontrolled abandonment of organic substances (especially sugars, meats, and other protein substances) that are highly attractive to bees, wasps and hornets; stay calm and never try to chase them away with sudden hand movements, which can induce the insect to sting. What to do in the event of a sting: in the event of a bee sting, it is necessary to remove the stinger immediately, using tweezers; apply ice to reduce the inflammation produced by the venom; if the reaction is extensive, use a cortisone and an antihistamine immediately. If the reaction is severe, it is necessary to call the emergency room promptly.