'87- I don't know if there is really anything to repel bees that is very skin/person friendly. My brother was highly allergic to bee/wasp stings when growing up. As I remember about the only thing the doctor recommended was to carry around and Epi-pen and try not to get stung. Citronella, or some brand on deep woods insect repellant brand might work, but as you said probably needs to be re-applied often.
If it is a problem with the fields, maybe convincing the city/parks who-ever is in charge that a good industrial spray is needed, then ask them to help with garbage control (A huge bee attractant).
I am with UK in that over coming fear of being stung is more valuble, but is probably the hardest to do.
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PGY Tiercel
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UK Peregrine
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87,
Yeah, PGY is correct in that there is little in the way of effective repellents for all of the Hymenopterans. In fact some repellents will actually antagonize these guys. Yellow jackets are social isolates, except when mating or fighting over territory. They are likely defending territory on that field, protecting potential nesting grounds, and competing for mates. All of this makes them especially nasty little buggers.
All you can really do is to keep all forms of aromatic substances off of your son. Yellow jackets love the sweet stuff, anything sucrose related. Try to even avoid the use of scented soaps or shampoos, because yellow jackets will be attracted by some of them. They also tend to be attracted to bright colors, so if you have the power to switch from orange to brown, like I think you may have mentioned, then try and do so. Also, cover up as much skin as possible by wearing long sleeve shirts and pulling socks all the way up if possible. The really pungent detergents for clothes can also attract bees, especially try to steer away from the floral scented detergents. Best of luck with getting Noah back on the football field.
Yeah, PGY is correct in that there is little in the way of effective repellents for all of the Hymenopterans. In fact some repellents will actually antagonize these guys. Yellow jackets are social isolates, except when mating or fighting over territory. They are likely defending territory on that field, protecting potential nesting grounds, and competing for mates. All of this makes them especially nasty little buggers.
All you can really do is to keep all forms of aromatic substances off of your son. Yellow jackets love the sweet stuff, anything sucrose related. Try to even avoid the use of scented soaps or shampoos, because yellow jackets will be attracted by some of them. They also tend to be attracted to bright colors, so if you have the power to switch from orange to brown, like I think you may have mentioned, then try and do so. Also, cover up as much skin as possible by wearing long sleeve shirts and pulling socks all the way up if possible. The really pungent detergents for clothes can also attract bees, especially try to steer away from the floral scented detergents. Best of luck with getting Noah back on the football field.
PGY & UK:
Thanks for the tips! I noticed that several teams in our league had VERY bright uniforms (orange, yellow, fire engine red) and they seemed to get more "attention" from the flying pests. But your responses make me think it is time to go to the township; they don't do a very good job of keeping the trash receptacles emptied and I'm pretty sure they've never addressed the problem with any sort of spray, etc. Time to make a little noise!
Thanks for the tips! I noticed that several teams in our league had VERY bright uniforms (orange, yellow, fire engine red) and they seemed to get more "attention" from the flying pests. But your responses make me think it is time to go to the township; they don't do a very good job of keeping the trash receptacles emptied and I'm pretty sure they've never addressed the problem with any sort of spray, etc. Time to make a little noise!
