The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Home, Lawn and Garden, Wednesday, July 18, 2007 7 They can pose a health risk Keep bugs out of summer fun Mornings by the pool, afternoons at the barbecue, nights at the ice cream store. Just another summer day for people-- and for pests. According to the experts at Orkin Canada, flying and stinging insects arrive in full force in summer to enjoy the warm, sunny days. "Yellow jackets, mosquitoes and flies are just a few flying insects that homeowners might see this summer,"says Orkin Director of Quality Assurance Zia Siddiqi, Ph.D. "But these pests are more than an annoyance. They can pose a serious health threat, too." Stings from yellow jackets can result in painful and severe allergic reactions, especially in children. In addition to itchy bites, mosquitoes can carry West Nile virus. Every time they land, flies can transmit bacteria, including E. coli, staphylococcus and salmonella, threatening food safety. Homeowners find these insects buzzing around their picnic areas because the pests build colonies and nests where they have access to constant food sources. Flies and yellow jackets like snacking on favourite summertime treats like chips, cookies and soda, which provide the sugar and protein sources necessary for their survival. In the case of mosquitoes, the people enjoying the summertime treats are the mosquitoes' next meal. Birdbaths, ornamental ponds, and puddles from pools and sprinkler systems offer prime breeding spots for the pests. These flying furies can breed in a tiny amount of standing water, even as small as a thimble. To help prevent flying and stinging insects from ruining your summer fun, Orkin Canada recommends the following measures to make homes and yards less attractive to the pests: · Keep food in tightly sealed containers when picnicking. · Cover soda cans. Yellow jackets often enter cans unseen. · Empty and wash garbage cans regularly. · Fit screens and tighten seals properly on doors and windows. · Remove puddles of stagnant water to eliminate potential mosquito breeding spots. · Monitor for nests frequently and call a licensed pest control professional immediately for safe treatment and removal. More information is available online at www.orkincanada.ca or toll-free at 1800-800 ORKIN. --News Canada Create Attain Imagine We Make It Happen Karen Timms Owner/Interior Decorator 519.941.8639 1.888.632.9529 www.decoratingden.com ktimms@sentex.ca Each franchise is independently owned and operated SIGN UP ON OUR WEBSITE FOR YOUR FREE MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER IT'S DONE, IT'S FUN, IT'S FABULOUS!" Beautyrest Sale Beautysleep sets starting at $449 DON'T BE FOOLED BY CATCHY JINGLES OR 1/2 PRICE SALES. Free ·Bed frame ·Mattress Pad ·Pillows with all Beautyrest Sets. HOME DECOR 265 GUELPH ST., GEORGETOWN 905-873-2753