protecting outdoor employees from insects

July 15, 2024

If you have employees that work outside, they’re exposed to dangers from spiders, insects such as wasps, hornets and bees, and disease-bearing mosquitos and ticks. We’ve put together some tips to share with your workforce so that you can help protect and keep them healthy and ensure that your employees know how to identify hazardous spiders and insects, as well as control their exposure to them.

Avoiding Bees, Wasps and Hornets

First things first: If you have any employees who have severe allergies to insect bites or stings, they should inform their fellow coworkers, carry an epinephrine auto-injector (EPIPEN) and wear a medical ID bracelet that has information on their allergies. 

These tips can help protect everyone else that is working outside to avoid these insects: ^{1, 2}

• Apply an insect repellent containing diethyltoluamide (DEET) following manufacturer’s instructions.
• Avoid scented soaps, colognes, perfumes, shampoos and deodorants before working outside.
• Choose to wear clean, light-colored and smooth-finished clothing that keeps most of your skin covered (as sweat can attract these insects).
• If a stinging insect is flying around, keep calm. Swatting at it may cause it to sting.
• If an insect flies or crawls inside a work vehicle, slowly stop and then open the windows to allow it to escape.
• If you notice a swarm of stinging insects, work in a more shaded area or go inside.
• If possible, don’t work near flowering plants.
• Keep work areas free of discarded food.

First Aid for a Bee, Wasp or Hornet Sting

First, if the person who has been stung is allergic, someone should stay with them to ensure that they don’t have an allergic reaction. They may need to either use their EPIPEN or receive immediate medical attention by you calling 911.

If someone not allergic gets stung, they should be aware of the following first aid tips:^{1, 2}

• Wash the area of the sting site with soap and water.
• Take off any rings and jewelry that is a tight fit.
• Remove the stinger using gauze or a clean fingernail (don’t squeeze the area or use tweezers).
• Elevate the impacted body area.
• Apply ice to reduce swelling and wrap with clean gauze.
• Don’t scratch the area, as this increases itching, swelling and risk of infection.
• Watch for any changes in condition, including breathing, responsiveness and signs of shock.

With each bee sting, the chances of a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis increases. Treatment for anaphylaxis is using epinephrine in an EPIPEN, which you should add to your first aid kit. Look for these symptoms if you suspect a team member is experiencing anaphylaxis:³

• Breathing issues
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Hives
• Itchiness
• Stomach cramps, nausea or diarrhea
• Swelling of the face, throat or tongue

After the employee has been stabilized, their swelling and itching may be helped with over-the-counter pain relievers, steroid creams, anesthetic sprays and/or oral antihistamines. Ensure that they are not allergic to any of these medicines. Also, antihistamines may cause drowsiness, which is a safety concern if they are returning to work.³

Identifying Fire Ants^{4, 5}

Fire ants are found in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

Fire ants are smaller than most ants and are often recognized by the fluffy mounds they build, which have no top opening like a normal ant mound. They are also known for having an aggressive, stinging nature.

If you notice one of their mounds, avoid it and contact animal control or a pest removal company. Take care not to disturb any fire ant mounds. If you do, hundreds of ants may swarm out ready to attack and sting.

Additionally, be careful when removing dead animals, as they may be covered in fire ants. 

First Aid for a Fire Ant Bite⁴

If the person who has been stung has severe allergic reactions to insect stings or bites, someone should stay with them and watch for an allergic reaction. They may need to either use their EPIPEN or receive immediate medical attention by you calling 911.

Then, follow these steps:

• Briskly rub the ants off the skin, as they use their jaws to attach themselves.
• Take the bit person to an emergency medical facility immediately if they have any of the following symptoms:
  • Breathing issues
    
  • Serious swelling
  • Severe chest pain
  • Slurred speech
  • Sweating

Identifying Dangerous Spiders⁶

While spiders are not insects – they are classified as an arachnid due to the shape of their bodies – they often are found in the same outdoor areas and can cause several health issues.

Black widow spiders: This type of spider is found throughout the U.S. but is most common in the South and West. You can identify them by the red pattern on the underside of their abdomen and can find them in woodpiles, under fences, in outdoor bathroom facilities and where garbage has piled up.

Bites from these spiders usually happen when humans come into contact with their webs. Once bitten, their venom will cause pain at the bite area which will spread to the chest, abdomen and sometimes the whole body.

Brown recluse: Found in the Midwest and South, this spider has a violin-shaped marking on its head and six eyes instead of eight like a normal sider. They are usually found under piles or leaves and rocks, as well as under large structures.

Bites from these spiders may cause a painful stinging sensation, followed by a white blister. Once bitten, the venom can cause a skin necrosis that destroys tissue that requires immediate medical attention.

What are the Symptoms of a Spider Bite?⁷

Spider bites can cause symptoms that range from mild to severe, including death. Look for the following symptoms and don’t hesitate to get immediate medical attention for anyone bit by a spider:

• Anxiety or restlessness
• Breathing issues
• Chill
• Difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Headache
• High blood pressure symptoms
• Increased sweating
• Itching or rash
• Muscle cramps and pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Radiating pain at the bite area
• Red or purple blister
• Sweating

First Aid for a Spider Bite⁷

The first thing someone should do is collect the spider, if possible, or identify it. This will help anyone giving medical treatment. Remain safe while collecting it

Then, follow these steps:

• Clean the bite area with soap and water.
• Reduce swelling with ice.
• Elevate the bite area.
• Do not attempt to remove the venom.
• Immediately seek professional medical attention.

Avoiding Scorpions⁸

Scorpions, like spiders, are arachnoids. Mostly found in dry areas in the South and Southwest, scorpions hide under rocks, wood or anything that lies on the ground. In some cases, they can be found in forests, caves and grasslands.

Outdoor workers can help prevent scorpion stings by:

• Wearing leather gloves, long sleeves and pants
• Shaking out clothing or shoes before putting them on

What are the Symptoms of a Scorpion Bite?⁸

There are a variety of symptoms of a scorpion bite which usually go away in 48 hours. If any of these symptoms become severe, immediately call 911 or go to an emergency center:

• Abdominal pain and cramps
• Convulsions
• Drooling
• Extreme pain when the sting area is tapped with a finger
• Muscle twitching
• Respiratory issues
• Restlessness
• Roving eyes
• Slurred speech
• Staggering when walking
• Stinging or burning sensation at the sting area with very little swelling
• Thick tongue sensation

First Aid for a Scorpion Bite⁸

If the person who has been stung has severe allergic reactions to insect stings or bites, someone should stay with them and watch for an allergic reaction. They may need to either use their EPIPEN or receive immediate medical attention by you calling 911.

The first thing someone should do is collect the scorpion, if possible, or identify it. This will help anyone giving medical treatment. Remain safe while collecting it.

Then, follow these steps:

• Keep the stung person calm and do not allow them to take sedatives
• Contact a provider or poison control center for instructions
• Apply ice to the sting area

What Are Vector-Borne Diseases?⁹

These diseases can be spread to people working outside by mosquitoes or ticks. The bite of these insects may transfer a parasite, bacteria or virus. Anyone who develops symptoms of a mosquito-borne disease should report their condition immediately to their supervisor, then get the proper medical attention.

Mosquito-Borne Diseases: Zika virus, West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus, dengue and malaria may be spread to outdoor workers by mosquitoes.¹⁰

How to Avoid Mosquitos:¹⁰

• If possible, avoid working near standing water
• Remove any debris from ditches
• Fill in areas that collect standing water
• Remove tires, buckets, barrels and bottles filled with water
• Cover or turn over storage equipment
• Place drain holes in containers that can’t be thrown away
• Work clothing should cover exposed skin, such as the hands, arms, legs and neck
• Wear a hat with mosquito netting
• Apply permethrin to clothing and an insect repellent containing diethyltoluamide (DEET) following manufacturer’s instructions

Tick-Borne Diseases: Lyme disease, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, anaplasmosis, Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness, Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever, tularemia, Colorado tick fever, Powassan encephalitis and Q fever can all be transmitted to outdoor workers by ticks.¹¹

How to Avoid Ticks:¹¹

Working near woods, bushes, high grass or leaves increases the chance of ticks. Ticks are active all year long in warmer areas and in all seasons other than the winter everywhere else.

Additionally, ticks are increased in areas around wild animals, such as deer.

To protect employees from ticks:¹²

• Throughout the day, they should check their skin and clothing for ticks paying attention to their hair, underarms and groin.
• If they have a tick, immediately remove it by grasping it as close to the skin as possible with tweezers. Then, pull it away from the body in a steady motion.
• To kill any hidden ticks, wash and dry all work clothing using the hot setting.
• If an employee has been bitten by a tick and feels fatigue, joint pain, body stiffness or a headache, encourage them to visit MedExpress for a Lyme Disease test.

As your workforce heads outside to work, you want to ensure that they remain safe. By sharing this information with them, you’ll be helping to ensure that they can avoid insects and know what to do in the rare case someone is bit or stung. If they need any medical attention, your neighborhood MedExpress is open from 8 to 8 every day, ready for them to walk in and get the care they need.

References:

1 Safety and Health Magazine. Avoid the sting: Working outdoors with insects. Last updated June 27, 2021. Accessed April 17, 2024.

2 American Red Cross. Insect Bites and Stings. Accessed April 17, 2024.

3 OSHA. Fatal Facts Insect Stings. Accessed April 17, 2024.

4 CDC. Fire Ants. Last updated May 31, 2018. Accessed April 17, 2024.

5 Ant Pests. Identifying Fire Ants. Accessed April 17, 2024.

6 CDC. Venomous Spiders. Last updated May 31, 2018. Accessed April 17, 2024.

7 CDC. Symptoms of Venomous Spider Bites. Last updated May 31, 2018. Accessed April 17, 2024.

8 CDC. Scorpions. Last updated May 31, 2018. Accessed April 17, 2024.

9 CDC. Hazards to Outdoor Workers. Last updated May 31, 2018. Accessed April 17, 2024.

10 CDC. Mosquito-Borne Diseases. Last updated May 31, 2018. Accessed April 17, 2024.

11 CDC. Tick-Borne Diseases. Last updated May 31, 2018. Accessed April 17, 2024

12 CDC. NOSH Fast Facts. Accessed April 17, 2024.