How to Get Rid of No See Um Bugs
February 17, 2021 53 Comments
About No-See-Ums
No-see-ums are tiny flying insects that are incredibly difficult to spot. They are also referred to as biting midges, punkies, sand flies or biting gnats. They are so small, they have no problems getting through the screens on your windows and doors. As such, it's hard to protect yourself from these pests without professional help.
Because they're so small, you might not notice when these flying insects swarm around you or land on your skin. But after they bite, you'll definitely know they were there. The bite marks left by no-see-ums are painful and itchy. Not only are their bites uncomfortable, but these insects can also transmit diseases to humans, making it even more imperative to control these pests on your property.
How to Treat No-Seem-Um Bites
If you're suffering from painful, itchy no-see-um bites, use these steps to treat them:
1.) Notice your symptoms. Initially, the bite will leave a small red dot. However, that dot may expand to 1 to 2 inches in diameter and become a slightly raised welt. The welt will be itchy and mildly painful and can last for about two weeks.
2.) Look for more bites. Usually, no-see-ums travel in large groups and bite multiple times, so it's possible that you may actually have lots of bites. Look for clusters of red dots on your skin or developing welts. No-see-ums frequently bite legs, hands and the back of the neck, but the bites can occur on any exposed skin.
3.) Wash the bite area. Use warm water and a mild antibacterial soap to wash any areas where you've been bitten by no-see-ums. It's best to do this as soon as your notice the bites. By washing, you eliminate any residual saliva from the no-see-ums left on your skin, which can reduce irritation. In addition, this step helps to reduce the risk of infection.
4.) Try not to scratch your welts. Though it can be very difficult to avoid scratching the welts left behind by no-see-ums, it's important for preventing infection. How to treat no-see-um bites. Excessive scratching can open the welt and make you more susceptible to infection. How to treat no-see-um bites Try not to scratch and consider trimming and cleaning your nails frequently while the welts are present.
5.) Find relief from pain and itchiness. If the bites are particularly itchy and painful, consider pressing a clean washcloth soaked with very cold water against the bite area for about 10 minutes at time. If swelling is also an issue, you can press an ice pack, a bag of frozen veggies or ice cubes wrapped in a clean washcloth for 10- to 15-minute intervals as well.
6.) Apply hot water. This technique involves heating water (but not boiling) to about 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the water is hot, dip the tip of a cotton swab in the water and apply it to the bite. The bite will sting a bit for a few seconds, but ultimately the itching should subside. Be very careful not to heat the water too high and to only apply the swab directly on the bite.
7.) Soothe with over-the-counter products. You can visit your local drugstore to find a variety of remedies to relieve your itchiness, pain and swelling from no-see-um bites. Analgesic creams can be used to reduce pain, and you can take an antihistamine to relieve itching. A cortisone cream is another remedy for itching and swelling from this insect bites. For rashes or skin irritation, use a zinc cream. Follow the directions on the package when using any over-the-counter products.
8.) See a doctor for any severe symptoms. If you experience an allergic reaction (wheezing, rashes, difficulty swallowing, etc.), excessive pain, discomfort or skin irritation from your no-see-um bites, consult a doctor immediately. You should also see a doctor if you note any signs of infection (such as fever, headache, swollen glands, nausea or the bite becoming especially tender or filled with pus) or disease (skin sores, anemia, fever, cough, lethargy, diarrhea or weight loss).
Use these tips to make sure your no-see-um bites are treated effectively. To prevent more bites in the future, be sure to contact MosquitoNix® to learn more about our effective and affordable options as well as our eco-friendly pest control services.
Frequently Asked Questions About No-See-Ums
Do no-see-ums suck blood?
For the most part, these tiny insects primarily feast on flower nectar as their main source of food. However, no-see-ums need blood in order to reproduce.
Female no-see-ums need to consume blood in order to lay eggs. They can suck blood from a variety of sources, including livestock, humans, pets, rodents and more. The blood helps the female insects produce eggs, which take 28 days to hatch. Once the 28 days have passed, a fully grown adult no-see-um will emerge and continue the cycle of eating flower nectar and drinking blood when necessary.
What happens during the blood-sucking process?
When a female no-see-um bites, her saliva is injected under the host animal's skin. This causes the blood to pool in the area, making it easier for the insect to take what she needs. The saliva of the no-see-um is irritating, which is why the bite appears as a red-colored, itchy splotch.
More sensitive individuals may also notice swelling and a larger patch of discoloration surrounding the bite.
No-see-ums are most active during dusk and dawn. If you happen to be outside during these times, you are at an increased risk of being bitten.
Do no-see-ums lay eggs in your skin?
If you've been bitten by a no-see-um, there's little to worry about besides an irritating bite. A common myth is that no-see-ums lay eggs under your skin, but this is not the case at all.
No-see-ums actually lay their eggs in what is called a lace. The laces are moist because the larvae require a high degree of moisture in order to develop. After a blood meal, the female no-see-um often seeks out a body of water to lay her eggs near, such as a riverbank, a marsh, a still pond or even a hollowed-out tree stump.
What is the best way to get rid of no-see-ums?
To ensure that your family is protected from no-see-um bites, you might consider calling MosquitoNix. They have a variety of different options for getting rid of no-see-ums, as well as a variety of other pests that can cause discomfort when they bite.
No-See-Um Bites Vs. Gnat Bites Vs. Mosquito Bites
What are the main differences between no-see-um, gnat and mosquito bites? While it can be difficult for non-professionals to identify bite culprits (unless you see the insect biting you), there are a few telltale signs that can help. These signs include how long bug bites last, when a bite appears, plus what they look like — all of which can help you figure out if a no-see-um, gnat or mosquito bit you.
First, let's start with gnat and mosquito bites, which often look very similar, causing enflamed (and itchy) red bumps on your skin. If you look at bug bites pictures online, you'll see that gnat bites, which start as tiny red bed-bug like bites, occasionally have the potential to swell quickly or turn into fluid-packed blisters.
Mosquitoes inject their straw-like mouths into our skin to extract blood. Gnats "surgically" slice and cut into the skin of their prey with their mouth-based cutters. Mosquito bug bite welts are also usually fairly flat, albeit puffy. If you don't scratch, mosquito bites tend to flatten out and vanish quickly (a day or two). Because gnats cause more initial damage when going after their blood meal (cutting into the skin), their bites are more severe, lasting longer than mosquito bites.
When comparing no-see-um and mosquito bites, it's important to note how long bug bites last. After asking how long do no-see-um bites last, pay attention to the fact that no-see-um bites appear a day later (or more) in many instances after the initial bite. Also, no-see-um bites tend to cause more pain than mosquito bug bite welts. Additionally, no-see-um bites generally appear as red-dot multi-bite clusters. Mosquito bites are typically more isolated from one another.
Another method of differentiating no-see-um from mosquito bites comes from looking at how these bug bite welts change over time. As already stated, mosquito bites usually fade quickly (one or two days). No-see-um bites, which are more severe than mosquito bites, start as clusters of small red dots on your skin. Over time, these bites can enlarge into raised welts, up to one to two inches in diameter. Also, note that tender no-see-um welts can linger on your skin for two weeks or more.
Hopefully, you won't get bit by no-see-ums, gnats or mosquitoes. If ever bitten, the small differences in how these bites present themselves can help you work out what type of insect took a bite (or multiple bites) out of your skin.
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How to Get Rid of No See Um Bugs
Source: https://mosquitonix.com/blogs/news/how-to-treat-no-see-um-bites