Biting Insects- What to look out for and how to avoid them

Pests can always be a problem all year round. Although we are only just a phone call away to help you with any pest problems you encounter, we have some information below to help you deal with some pests yourself. These pests in particular are ones which can bite or sting you and can cause great discomfort at times.

Mosquitos

These pests are tiny but can cause great irritation when they bite you. They are mainly found in damp warm locations across the UK. They love summer days and evenings and interestingly are present for over 6 months a year! Evenings are their prime time for feeding, as well as first thing in the morning.

What to look out for

• Small insects
• Their wings are longer than their bodies and are feather like
• They have a hunched back appearance

What can you do

• Wear repellent
• Keep windows closed and cover any openings with nets
• Avoid standing water where possible

Ticks

These are small blood sucking parasites. They feed on animals and humans. According to recent research, the amount of ticks in the UK is actually increasing. They are very well established in the UK as it is, enjoying dense woodland and locations near livestock.

What to look out for

• They are small spider like insects, not much larger than poppy seeds
• They have a rounded tail end
• They are usually red, brown or black in colour

What can you do

• Avoid thick undergrowth there possible
• Wear long clothing
• Check pets and yourself regularly for ticks
• If you find any, please remove them carefully or seek help

Midges

These very small creatures can cause some big problems. Their bites are usually quite painful, very itchy and can even cause swelling. They are actually attracted to carbon dioxide in the air and can detect this over 100 metres away. There are prevalent across the UK but especially in wet ground areas. Prime time for them to come out is dawn and dusk. They also love damp, cloudy summer days.

What to look out for

• Small insects, less than 1/8 of an inch
• Usually grey in colour
• They have hairy wings

What you can do

• Wear repellent, especially if you are sat outside of an evening as they tend to attack in swarms
• Wearing light coloured clothing can help keep them away from you

Leeches

There are hundreds of species of leeches found in the UK. They can be found mainly near water, although some can actually live on land. This land is usually moist undergrowth, perfect conditions for vibration detection coming from any potential food sources.

What to look out for

• They are brown/black in colour
• They look like worms, however are thicker set

What you can do

• Avoid marshy areas where possible
• Wear repellent

Stable Flies

These flies look similar to normal flies but these insects pack a punch so to speak when they bite you. They are found all over the UK all year round and have a preference for mammals, especially livestock. They love wet straw and animal manure as they are perfect locations for breeding. They prefer outside to indoors. They can bite numerous times and are extremely persistent. Their bites are painful and can feel like you are being stabbed with a needle.

What to look out for

• Dark in colour
• They have 4 long stripes on their body

What you can do

• Use repellent
• Cover up exposed skin
• Keep rubbish bins sealed and clean where possible
• Keep food in sealed containers

Black Flies

These feed on the blood of mammals. There are over 1000 varieties of black flies. They thrive in woodland and are active during the day.

What to look out for

• They are grey/black in colour
• They are quite small, similar in size to the mosquito
• They have short legs and a rounded body

What you can do

• Wear light coloured clothing
• Wear repellent

If you experience any issues with these pests mentioned above and would like some advice, please give us a call. We would be happy to help!

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