It’s bad enough when bugs try to take over your home, but when they start biting, things get even worse. When you’re dealing with a bug bite, it’s important to know what pest bit you. This will help you choose the best treatment option. We’ve compiled a list of common bugs known for their bite.
Mosquitoes
These pesky bugs have a habit of biting you during warm summer months.
What Do Mosquitoes Look Like?
Mosquitoes range in size from 1/8ʺ-3/8ʺ. They have long, thin legs, and their body is usually gray, black or brown. The tiny scales on their body can be a variety of colors including white and silver. Their proboscis is used to suck blood.
How to Identify Mosquito Bites
Mosquito bites leave you with a pink or red bump that typically itches. These bumps can be raised and puffy with a red spot in the middle.
How to Treat Mosquito Bites
If you have a mosquito bite, it’s important to not scratch it. This will help prevent the bite from becoming infected. Wash the area with soap and water. To help with itchiness, you can apply an ice pack or anti-itch cream. Taking an antihistamine can also help relieve the itching sensation.
How to Prevent Mosquito Bites
To avoid mosquito bites, remove standing water around your home since this attracts mosquitoes. If you plan to spend time outside, try using a mosquito repellent to prevent bites. Our Natural Insect Repellent aerosol will help to keep mosquitoes away.
Fleas
Most people think of fleas as a problem for their furry family members, but fleas can bite humans too.
What Do Fleas Look Like?
Fleas are small, growing between 1/12″-1/6″. They have a reddish-brown body. Instead of flying, they hop onto their hosts.
How to Identify Flea Bites
Flea bites result in red bumps that have a red ring around them. They are very itchy and usually appear on ankles and legs. However, knees, elbows, armpits, and your waist can be bitten. These bites are typically grouped together with 3 or 4 bites in one area. If you touch the bump, it will turn white.
How to Treat Flea Bites
Since these pests travel on animals, like your dogs and cats, it’s important to consult a veterinarian to determine the best treatment option for them. If you’re dealing with an itchy bite, don’t scratch it. Wash the bite area with soap and water. You can use an ice pack, antiseptic, and antihistamine to alleviate symptoms. If the bite secretes pus, contact your doctor.
How to Prevent Flea Bites
It’s important to check your pets for fleas when they spend time outside or around other animals. Giving them regular baths can help to prevent fleas. Vacuum often to remove fleas and their eggs. A clean yard can also reduce hiding spots for these pets. Our Bed Bug & Flea Killer can help with your flea problem.
Bed Bugs
These creepy crawlies receive their nutrients by feeding on their host’s blood.
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
Bed bugs are small, ¼″, and reddish-brown. They have an oval body that is flat when unfed but will swell after a blood meal.
How to Identify Bed Bug Bites
Bed bug bites often are clusters of red marks arranged in a line or zigzag pattern. Since bed bugs feed at night while you’re sleeping, any skin exposed can be bitten. Unlike flea bites, there isn’t a red spot in the center. Some bites go unnoticed because no symptoms occur.
How to Treat Bed Bug Bites
Bites will go away usually within 2 weeks without treatment. However, you can apply a hydrocortisone cream or take an antihistamine to relieve symptoms. Like other bites, scratching can cause problems.
How to Prevent Bed Bug Bites
When travelling, be sure to check your hotel to ensure you don’t bring these pests home with you. If you suspect bed bugs are hiding in your room, wash and dry your bedding on high heat settings. You’ll also want to vacuum the area. Our Bed Bug Killer dust and our Bed Bug & Flea Killer aerosol can help to eliminate an infestation.
Ticks
Another common biting pest is the tick.
What Do Ticks Look Like?
Ticks vary in color but are all relatively flat with an oval body. They are technically considered arachnids and not insects.
How to Identify Tick Bites
Unlike other bites, tick bites are most often found when the tick is spotted on a person. A bull’s-eye-shaped rash can occur after a tick bite.
How to Treat Tick Bites
Carefully remove ticks with tweezers. It’s important to pull the tick straight out without twisting. Make sure the head and mouthparts are completely removed. Clean the area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. This will help prevent an infection. If the tick is burrowed into the skin or if parts of the tick can’t be removed, contact a doctor. If you develop flu-like symptoms or notice a bull’s-eye-shaped rash, visit your doctor because it could be an indication of a more serious reaction.
How to Prevent Tick Bites
These pests often find their way onto you when you are outside in wooded areas or places with a lot of vegetation. When spending time outside, cover your skin. Keep vegetation in your yard trimmed to prevent ticks. Using our Natural Insect Repellent can help to keep ticks away from you.
Spiders
Spiders are another pest that can leave you with a painful bite.
What Do Spiders Look Like?
Spiders vary in size and color depending on the species. The two species that can be problematic are the black widow and brown recluse. Black widow spiders have a black body with a red hourglass-shaped marking. Brown recluse spiders are brown with a dark violin-shaped marking.
How to Identify Spider Bites
Most bites from spiders cause red skin, swelling, and some degree of pain. They aren’t usually serious. However, bites from a black widow or brown recluse are more concerning.
- Black Widow Bites: These bites leave two puncture wounds. Pain can take up to 30 minutes to begin. Swelling, muscle pain, nausea, and difficulty breathing can follow.
- Brown Recluse Bites: Brown recluse bites are painful. The bite can blister or bruise with blueish-purple markings. It can also get crusty, and fever, chills, nausea, and itchiness can occur.
How to Treat Spider Bites
For all spider bites, clean the area with soap and water. Using a cool, damp cloth can reduce swelling and pain. Elevating the area can also help. If you believe a black widow or brown recluse bit you, or you experience any of the symptoms associated with these bites, seek medical attention.
How to Prevent Spider Bites
The best way to avoid a spider bite is to keep these pests out of your home. Seal cracks and gaps to prevent their entry. Eliminate clutter in your yard and home where they can hide. If spiders are giving you a fit, try out Spider & Insect Dust.
Correctly identifying your bug bite can help you choose the best treatment. It’s important to remember that if you experience signs of a severe allergic reaction, including difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of lips and eyelids, or dizziness, immediately seek medical care. If bugs are invading your home, we want to help. Try our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products.