Beware Of These 13 Biting And Stinging Insects In New York State [Photos]

It's starting to feel more like spring and summer is not too far off here in New York State. That means we'll be spending more time outdoors. While I love the concerts, water activities, cookouts, and warm-weather fun, the one thing I hate is the bug bites and stings. There's nothing worse than enjoying a great day outside, only to realize later that night that you were a buffet for mosquitos. And for God's Sake, bee stings hurt like hell. A few years I got stung and hadn't been stung since childhood. It has been so long that I forgot how bad it hurt.

As you and your family start making summer plans - beach days, picnics, walks in the park, or even just lounging in your own yard, you'll want to keep insects in mind. Be aware of all the stinging and biting insects in New York State. In addition to causing allergic reactions in some people, stings and bites from some of these insects can be quite painful, or worse yet, potentially transmit diseases.

Stinging Insects In New York State Include:

Bumblebees

Yellow Jackets

Hornets

Wasps

Fire and Harvester Ants

Biting Insects In New York State Include:

Kissing Bugs

While conenose bugs, more popularly known as kissing bugs, have not been identified in New York State, they have been found in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Mosquitoes

Horseflies

You can watch a video of a horsefly feeding on a person's blood here.

Deerflies

You can watch a video of a deerfly feeding on a person's blood here.

Spiders

Ticks

Bedbugs

Black Flies

You can learn more about black flies here.

Mount Sinai offers these tips to help presvent insect stings and bites:

- Avoid perfumes, lotions, and scented soaps.
- Avoid areas where you know insects are.
- Use insect repellants and protective clothing.

You can check out more tips here.

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