Due to the shortage of rain this year, it seems bees and wasps are especially attracted to the areas with the most moisture, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Candice Miller said. Bees are attracted to the garden because of their need for sugar, but they also need water, which they use to cool their hive.

Cicada killers and yellowjackets are the most likely wasps to see this time of year. Yellowjackets are 1/2-inch-long, black-and-yellow-banded wasps. They live in places such as underground nests, woodpiles, hollow trees or holes in the wall of a building. Yellowjackets are easily provoked and can sting more than once. They may attack in force if their nest is disturbed.

Usually, insects are busy collecting supplies for their nests and are completely uninterested in humans. They will only react if disturbed. Leaving them alone and moving away slowly is a good strategy.