Ferragosto 2024 between barbecues and picnics by the sea or in the mountains with the nightmare of heat: the red dot actually affects almost the entire country. “And the increasingly high average temperatures in Italy not only cause insects to proliferate and increase their population, but they also become more and more aggressive towards people and the environment, creating ideal habitats for alien species that are spreading ever faster in our territory”. This is what the Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (Sima) says, stressing that “the heat accelerates the development of insects, which therefore need more food and water, which brings them increasingly into contact with people and increases the number of stings and attacks. It should be remembered that in Italy up to 20 people die every year from wasp and hornet stings and up to 2 in 100 people develop allergic reactions after hymenoptera stings”.

The red dot indicates alert level 3 or “emergency conditions (heat wave) with possible negative impacts on the health of healthy and active people, and not only on vulnerable subgroups such as the elderly, very young children and people with chronic diseases”. The heat-insect mix could turn Ferragosto into an odyssey: the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) reminds us of some good practices to avoid insect stings and bites. “There are many arthropods that can bite or sting. These include wasps, hornets, bees, horseflies, ticks, mosquitoes, fleas, lice, mites, spiders and midges,” the experts point out. “In most cases, insect stings or bites are not serious and the discomfort (symptoms) they cause improve or disappear within a few hours or days. In rare cases, they can become infected, trigger life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) or transmit serious infectious diseases.”

Tips for preventing insect stings and bites

Preventing insect stings and bites. “To reduce the risk of insect stings or bites,” the ISS continues on the Issalute page, “you can take some simple precautions: walk away calmly when you see wasps, bees or hornets and avoid bothering or hitting them; wear long-sleeved clothing and long pants; do not walk barefoot outdoors, but wear shoes; apply insect repellent to exposed skin, carefully following the instructions for use; avoid using perfumes and deodorants, soaps and shampoos with strong scents, as these could attract insects; be careful when staying near flowering plants, garbage, standing water and in outdoor areas where food is stored, as insects can congregate there.”

“If there are insect nests or hives near your home, avoid being near them and contact experts and specialized personnel to eliminate them; avoid camping near bodies of water (rivers, lakes, streams, swamps) because mosquitoes and horseflies are more common there; flies, horseflies and mosquitoes also abound in large numbers near pastures or animal pens. Avoid stopping or camping near them; keep food and drinks, especially sugary or sweet ones, covered and protected from insects because bees and wasps can get into the open cans and bottles you drink from; keep doors and windows closed or install mosquito nets and screens to prevent insects from entering; keep car windows closed to prevent insects from entering the passenger compartment, especially while driving,” concludes the ISS.

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