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

Photo by Carolien van Oijen on Unsplash
Photo by Carolien van Oijen on Unsplash
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Yellow Jackets

Photo by Thomas Millot on Unsplash
Photo by Thomas Millot on Unsplash
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Hornets

Washington State Department Of Agriculture Sets Traps For Asian Giant Hornets
Getty Images
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Wasps

Photo by James Wainscoat on Unsplash
Photo by James Wainscoat on Unsplash
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Fire and Harvester Ants

Buffalo State College
Buffalo State College
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Biting Insects In New York State Include:

Kissing Bugs

CDC, courtesy of James Gathany
CDC, courtesy of James Gathany
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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

Photo by Егор Камелев on Unsplash
Photo by Егор Камелев on Unsplash
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Horseflies

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

Deerflies

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

Spiders

Photo by Timothy Dykes on Unsplash
Photo by Timothy Dykes on Unsplash
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Ticks

Photo by Victor Grabarczyk on Unsplash
Photo by Victor Grabarczyk on Unsplash
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Bedbugs

Exterminators Tackle Growing U.S. Bed Bug Problem
Getty Images
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Black Flies

Earth Rangers via Youtube
Earth Rangers via Youtube
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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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