At this time of year, its lovely to be outside in the warm weather but there are also some unwelcome bugs and insects that are beginning to show up too. Children are often afraid of wasps or bees as they buzz around and its hard for them to enjoy themselves sometimes for fear of being stung.

Try to explain that:

• on the whole, not many people are stung by bees and wasps when you think how many people are outside over the summer months.
• they should try to stay calm and still if one comes buzzing around
• wipe up after eating chocolate or ice lollies as the sugary smell will attract wasps
• don't wear perfumed sun cream
• always wear shoes outside even on the grass as bees and wasps do settle on the ground
• use non-perfumed shampoo and soap as the sweet smell is attractive
• use unfragranced baby wipes to wipe up spills/faces rather than the fragranced sort

If your child is stung:

• try to stay calm.  Stings are painful but are rarely dangerous.  Deal with the shock first so give plenty of support and comfort.
• elevate the stung area to reduce swelling and apply an ice pack or cold compress.   A wet tissue soaked in water is good as the children can hold this to the sting themselves.
• if symptoms persist go to the doctor.
• if it was a bee sting, try to find it and remove it.  Scrape the sting away side ways so no more poison is injected.  Wasps don't leave a sting behind.  The advice is not to use tweezers as if not done expertly, it can mean the sting goes further in and can be even more painful.
• if the sting is somewhere dangerous (mouth or throat) act quickly and get the child to the hospital as swelling could block their airway.  Sucking on an ice cub or drinking ice cold water can help in the short term.

It's nearly spring, so why not make your garden into a wildlife garden and encourage some furry, buzzy and fluttery friends into the garden.  Lovely for the children to watch and a chance to plant some pretty shrubs and trees.  Here are some ideal plants to think about putting in this spring in order to attract wildlife:-

• Soft fruits: Blackberries, raspberries and red currents are loved by insects and birds.  You may have to keep a few under a net to actually get a chance to eat any yourself!
• Dandelions: Many of us pull up the yellow blossom of dandelions, but they are a great favourite with bees and other buzzing insects; finches love their seeds.
• Honeysuckle: The berries are devoured by all sorts of birds, the nectar by buzzing bees.
• Lavender: The lovely scent of lavender attracts all sorts of bees and insects.  Lovely to watch them merrily buzz around and a great mellow fragrance for the garden.
• Sunflowers: The sunny yellow flowers are loved by bees and the seeds are often eaten by birds.
• Buddleia: loved by butterflies and the pretty purple clusters of flowers have a stunning effect when in flower.

Happy planting!