While the risk from wasps, including yellow jackets and hornets, can be a year-round threat, their activity is peaking now as the worker wasps are trying to find new food sources. With the queen moving from egg production and into hibernation, the workers lose a primary source of food, a special secretion that the wasp  larvae produce, and are forced to find an alternative. Often this comes in the form of fruit, which may be rotting and fermenting. Fermenting fruit consumed by an insect that is already prone to stinging results in a "mean drunk" --  a critter no one likes to be around.

With that in mind, it is a good idea to give these wasps their space and don't do things that can increase their aggressiveness, like swatting at them. The control of nuisance insects is a task that falls to Facilities, who remind us that "at this time of year, when the evenings/nights get cool, the yellow jackets/wasps (cold-blooded animals) need to warm up during the day - they often hang around hot metal objects (sign posts, building signs, the metal base of aggregate street/sidewalk lights, etc.). They are also quite agitated late in the year and become aggressive. Their nests could be anywhere - across the street, across the parking lot, on the building's roof - anywhere. We do not spray signs/metal objects to keep the insects away. That's a waste of insecticide, an unnecessary toxin applied to the environment, and an ineffective control measure. Please endure a bit longer, the nuisance insects will die off soon." Nests that may directly impact human activity (e.g., close to a walkway or building entry) however, should be reported to Facilities.

If you do get stung, the first thing to do is to move away from the area calmly. Some insects release pheromones after stinging that can attract more stinging insects, creating a vicious feedback loop. If you are highly allergic to insect stings and bites, it may be necessary to go to a hospital for treatment. However, most people will be able to treat a sting at home.

Next, determine whether the stinger was left behind. If so, it must be removed from the wound before additional treatment steps can be taken. This can be done by scraping a hard, flat object such as a fingernail or credit card across the sting. The stingers of wasps are typically smooth, which means they are capable of repeated stings without leaving the stinger behind. Once a stinger is no longer evident in the wound, wash the area with plenty of soap and water, and then put ice on the site of the wound to reduce swelling. An antihistamine can also be taken to reduce swelling further and help alleviate itching that can accompany insect bites and stings.

If you are allergic to insect stings, it is a good idea to let your co-workers know about your allergy and if you carry an EpiPen for this type of emergency. This can help them assist you if you do get stung.

Over the next few weeks, it is likely that the U of I community will experience intermittent smoke outdoors due to wildfires in the region. This outdoor air contaminant can have negative effects on personal health and may trigger restrictions of outdoor activities.

When smoke is on the horizon, an Air Quality Index (AQI) helps to identify potential health risks, who may be impacted and at what point specific actions should be taken. Keep in mind that indoor air quality is not part of the AQI, but wildfire smoke can have an impact on indoor air quality.

What is an AQI?

The Air Quality Index is a measure of multiple contaminants in the air outside. It can be forecast over a few days and generally fluctuates based on temperature and wind direction. The AQI is a combination of ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter, like smoke or smog. Because the index is a combination of air contaminants, a spike in one or more specific contaminants can drive the overall index upward.

The AQI is represented as a single number on a scale of 0-500. The scale provides different levels at which specific health hazards and symptoms can be expected. In some cases restrictions on outdoor activities is advised. For Moscow, readings are obtained from a weather station on Highway 8. Additional information on these levels and the AQI scale can be found at the links below:

• Idaho DEQ Real-Time Interactive Map
• AirNow Air Quality Index Basics
• EPA Historical Air Quality Index Report

How to Use the AQI

Understanding the AQI can help you decide what precautions to take while outdoors. When smoke is the known contaminant that is driving the AQI upward, you can take measures to protect yourself from particulate matter or strenuous activity outdoors. Sensitive groups should take extra precautions and be mindful of how the change in outdoor air quality might impact personal health. These groups include:

• People with heart or lung diseases
• People with asthma
• The elderly
• Young children
• People who to perform strenuous work, exercise or training outdoors

Additional Information

For more information, see the Wildfire Smoke FAQ page on the Environmental Health and Safety website. Additional resources can be used for planning and prevention at the EPA Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality page, the Idaho DEQ Air Quality Index, and AirNow.gov. A comprehensive downloadable guide to the Air Quality Index is available from the EPA here: Air Quality Index - A Guide to Air Quality and Your Health.