Don’t Know What’s Biting You? Here’s Your Summer 2021 Guide to Bug Bites and Remedies!
Summer definitely seems to bring about more bugs—and that’s because many are more active, returning to the surface from their long winter respite. When we head outdoors to enjoy the summer heat, there’s a chance for bugs to eat us up, especially if we forget to put on repellent. However, even indoors, bugs can take a bite out of our summer fun, causing our skin to itch (and crawl at the thought). Vulcan Termite & Pest Control is here to provide your Summer 2021 guide to bug bites and remedies—so you can focus on what you’re doing this summer, rather than wonder what’s eating you up!
Flea Bites
Fleas can quickly infest a home, especially if house pets come and go without proper flea protection. Flea bite symptoms start within hours of being bitten, and bite marks tend to clump in clusters of three to four.
Flea bites show up as small, red bumps that may or may not be bloody. These bites can also result in swelling, itching, and hives—and may turn into a white rash that grows in size over time. Flea bites can be treated with over-the-counter anti-itch creams, ointments, and lotions. However, a flea infestation may require professional help to fully clear up!
Ant Bites
Ant bites and stings display as red bumps and are, more often than not, quite unpleasant and painful. Some ants also have a venomous bite, such as fire ants, which can trigger an allergic reaction. Fire ant bites can become white, pus-filled blisters a couple days after being bitten—and may turn into scars.
If blistering does occur, it’s essential not to scratch, squeeze, or burst open the blisters so they heal properly. To treat, ice the area after the bite or sting ASAP and take an antihistamine to help relieve itching. As you’ll see, many kinds of bug bites and remedies share common ground.
Chigger Bites
Chiggers are mites that bite to feed on your skin. For instance, chiggers introduce saliva into the skin that works to dissolve it and turn it edible. However, the skin surrounding the bite responds by hardening and becoming irritated and inflamed. The result is an itchy, red mark.
Immediately after a chigger bite, wash it with soap and water. Avoid scratching or opening the affected area, as this can slow down or even complicate the healing process. Apply antiseptic to welts; you can also apply an over-the-counter anti-itch medication to help alleviate any itching or irritation.
Mosquito Bites
Mosquito bites turn up as pink or red round bumps on the skin. On the whole, mosquito bites are harmless—although they can cause irritation (and be irritating). However, in some parts of the world, mosquito bites can transmit potentially deadly diseases to people. This includes diseases like Zika virus and malaria.
Treating a mosquito bite is typically straightforward, at least in the continental U.S. It’s best to wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water. Afterward, you can place an ice pack on the spot to reduce swelling and administer anti-itch cream or ointment.
Bug Bites and Remedies: What to Know
Don’t let bugs eat you up—or eat away at your summer fun. Use this guide as a first step to understanding bug bites, their characteristics and risks, and ways to treat them so you aren’t continually uncomfortable and itching.
Have pests been particularly bugging you this year? It may be time to contact an expert to get to the root of the issue. Contact Vulcan Termite & Pest Control for your pest services, and oust pests from your home and more! Plus, be sure to return to our blog for more pest and bug-related info.