With so many insects and spiders biting or stinging, it’s easy to get confused about who’s the culprit for the red marks, swelling, and itching you’re experiencing. We’re used to the bites of common bugs like mosquitoes, mites, and fleas, which, although itchy and uncomfortable, are typically harmless. But what about those insects like ants, ticks, or bees that may cause intense pain, trigger an allergic reaction, or transmit a disease? Or the venomous bites that require medical care. Learn how to tell bug bites apart and how potentially harmful a bite can be in this list.
Bed Bugs Bites
These are usually more of a nuisance than a real health danger and are not typically painful. Their saliva might, however, trigger an allergic reaction in some people. A raised, red skin bump or welt may develop between 24 hours and three days after the bite. It’s intensely itchy and inflamed for several days. Don’t be embarrassed to call a pest control service if you’re having problems ? bed bugs are not the sign of a messy house.
Spider Bites
You will recognize spider bites by the little puncture marks they leave. In the UK, spider bites are usually the deed of false widow spiders, which resemble the black widow spider, but their bites are not venomous. Still, they do cause pain, redness and swelling. Black widow spider bites are sometimes characterized by a sharp pain in the bite area. It is possible, however, that you may not feel any pain. Symptoms you may experience if a black widow has bitten you include severe muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, and even seizure. If you notice a nodule at the bite area, red fang marks, as well as redness and tenderness, seek medical assistance immediately. The bites of these spiders are indeed venomous, but anti-venom medicine is available.
Mosquito Bites
A mosquito bite typically appears on the skin in isolation as an itchy round, red, or pink bump. It’s usually harmless but scratching a bite can cause a skin infection. Also, mosquitoes can carry diseases such as the West Nile virus and dengue fever. Pest control experts advise you to use window screens, get rid of still water in your garden, and apply insect repellent as a preventative measure.
Tick Bites
Tick bites are not painful. The trouble with these little spider-like creatures is that once they’ve latched onto the skin, they cling and suck your blood. Certain types of ticks can also transmit a condition called Lyme disease. Apply tick repellent and wear long sleeves and trousers when walking in overgrown areas. Remove ticks as soon as you notice them. You can then send them to Public Health England, where they will be identified. Seek medical care if you notice a circular rash spreading out from the bite area.
Flea Bites
Flea bites appear in groups of three or four, typically on your ankles, in your armpits, around your waist, and in the bends of your knees and elbows. A few hours after the bite, you may experience itching, hives, and swelling around an injury or sore. Other symptoms include a rash of small, red bumps that may or may not bleed.
Bee Stings
Although painful, bee stings can rarely cause severe damage if you’re not allergic to them. The sharp pain from the bite may last for a few minutes, then subside to a dull, aching sensation. You will notice a red skin bump with white around it where you’ve been bitten, and the area around the bite may itch and feel hot to the touch. You may feel the area sore to the touch a few days later.
Lice Bites
Lice reside in the hair but can also live on your clothes or bedding. Their bites typically appear on the shoulders, neck, and scalp in the form of tiny red spots. They’re rarely painful, but they itch. A more extensive, uncomfortable skin rash from lice bites can be observed in some people.
Ant Bites and Stings
Typically, ant bites and stings will cause pain and red skin bumps. Some types of ants, however, are venomous and can cause a severe allergy. Such are fire ants whose stings result in red lesions that burn and itch or painful pus-filled lesions. You can take pain relievers, and antihistamines and apply cold packs to soothe the bite area. Multiple stings can cause a toxic or severe life-threatening allergic reaction. See a doctor immediately if needed.
Mite and Chigger Bites
With mites, you won’t notice the bite until it starts itching. Then, upon examination, you may see red marks resembling skin rash. Although mites don’t typically spread diseases, there is one form of mites ? chiggers ? which inject their saliva, so they can liquefy and eat the skin. This causes irritation and inflammation in the surrounding area, where an itchy red welt will develop.
Horsefly Bites
The bite of these large hairy flies can be excruciating, as it cuts the skin rather than piercing it. Horseflies usually bite on the head and upper body on warm, sunny days. They don’t spread diseases, but their bites take longer to heal than other insect bites and can quickly become infected.
How to Prevent Bug Bites
Here are a few steps you can take to prevent bug bites:
1) Wear protective clothing: Cover as much skin as possible by wearing long-sleeved shirts, pants, and closed-toe shoes. This is especially important if you spend time in wooded or grassy areas where bugs tend to congregate.
2) Use insect repellent: Apply an insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 to the exposed skin. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label.
3) Keep windows and doors closed: Keep windows and doors closed when possible, especially during peak mosquito hours at dawn and dusk.
4) Use screens: Make sure windows and doors have tight-fitting screens to prevent bugs from entering your home.
5) Eliminate standing water: Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so eliminate any standing water in and around your home, such as in gutters, bird baths, and old tires.
6) Be mindful of your surroundings: Be aware of the local bug situation. Different bugs have different habitats and timing, so pay attention to the environment and adjust accordingly. This could help you prevent an encounter with bugs.
Following these steps can reduce your risk of being bitten by bugs. Remember that bites can also be treated with anti-itch cream, aloe vera, or over-the-counter antihistamines. See medical attention if a bite becomes infected or causes severe allergic reactions.
Final Thoughts
Bug bites are a common problem. Going outdoors makes you more likely to encounter insects like mosquitoes and ticks. Some people are particularly sensitive to insect bites and have allergic reactions to them. It’s not uncommon for people to develop itchy rashes and bumps after being bitten by a bug. And while bug bites can appear on any part of the body, some areas are more prone to be bug bite hot spots. These include the tops of the feet, neck, inner thighs, arms, hands and face. Regardless of where you’re bitten, it’s important to identify which type of bug bit you. We hope this pest control guide will help you.
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