Believe it or not, August will be here in a couple of days. If you aren't one of the lucky readers who has nice, relatively sunny, warm weather year-round then it's especially important to take advantage of it while you still can and get outside.

Unfortunately August is also peak season for aggressive wasps, as the pesky little creatures are searching for sugary food outside their nest and their numbers are at their greatest. Even bug sprays with the strongest level of toxic chemical don't act as a deterrent. Thankfully there are some natural ways to minimize your risk of being bitten as you enjoy time in the outdoors.

- Avoid wearing colorful or patterned clothing, shiny jewelery, perfume and scented soaps as this look and smell of these attracts wasps, for lack of a better phrase, like moths to a flame.

- If you're in an area with quite a few of the insects take proper precautions with your apparel. Make sure your head is covered up with a hat, wear long sleeves tucked into gloves and pants tucked into socks.

- Always wear proper shoes if an area with a lot of wasps, since the last thing you want to do is step on a nest on the ground wearing only sandals.

- If a wasp happens to land on you, stay still. Don't antagonize it by swatting, making wild motions or running away, screaming and crying like a small child.

- If you do get bitten, use a cold compress to reduce swelling and pain.

» MyMotherLode.com