Purdue Best Bets

September 4, 1998 JOURNALISTS: Here's a story idea and a list of Purdue events during the next two weeks. Take heed when you feed; yellow jackets want lunch Unsuspecting picnickers may get a little extra zing -- make that "sting" -- in their sandwich or soft drink right now. Yellow jackets, those pesky, yellow, bee-like wasps that frequent picnic grounds every fall, are out in force, searching for sweets and proteins, according to Purdue Extension entomologist Tim Gibb. Their foraging is why they're often found around trash cans, at picnics and sporting events -- anywhere food or drinks are exposed. Avoidance is key to not getting stung, Gibb says. He says it may seem that yellow jackets are everywhere right now because colonies are at maximum size, having started with one impregnated queen in the spring and grown to a population of 1,000 to 4,000 workers. But making food inaccessible to them will encourage them to fly elsewhere, he says. Ralph Williams, another Purdue Extension entomologist, says two types of yellow jackets are common in Indiana. The eastern yellow jacket nests in the ground, and the German yellow jacket nests inside structures. CONTACTS: Tim Gibb, (765) 494-4570; e-mail, Tim_Gibb@entm.purdue.edu; Ralph Williams, (765) 494-4560; e-mail, Ralph_Williams@entm.purdue.edu Events Friday, Sept. 11. Randall W. Patterson, president, Turnaround & Crisis Management Inc., Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., talks about "Secrets to Fixing Troubled Businesses." Krannert Executive Forum. 11:30 a.m. Krannert Building Auditorium. Reporters are welcome, but are asked to refrain from asking questions during the lecture. Videotaping and taking photographs are not allowed during the lecture, but are allowed during the student question-and-answer sessions. Interviews with Patterson can be prearranged through Tamyra Gibson, director of public relations, Krannert Graduate School of Management, (765) 494-4392; e-mail, gibson@mgmt.purdue.edu Tuesday, Sept. 15. Computer Roundtable. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Ballrooms, Purdue Memorial Union. Association of Information Technology Professionals sponsors this job fair. CONTACT: Carrie Maynard, (765) 564-4503 Wednesday, Sept. 16. Industrial Roundtable. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Memorial Mall (rain location: Purdue Armory). Purdue Engineering Student Council sponsors this annual job fair. CONTACT: Savi Abey, (765) 496-2660 Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page