We all long for lazy summer days, especially during the winter months when temperatures drop below freezing. Being housebound as a result of the cold can be tedious and it’s easy to daydream about a day out by the pool and the family cookout that takes place after a fun day in the sun. That being said, with spring fever in the air and summer right around the corner it’s easy to forget that we also have to gear up for the sudden influx of uninvited guests in the form of insects and other annoying pests. While a bug bite may not seem like a big deal, it’s a good idea to be able to identify the bite to determine if it is something you should be concerned about. The experienced professionals at A-Tex Pest Management are the experts when it comes to all things insects and the environments they live in.
A-Tex Pest Management lists the most common insects found during the summer months, and how to identify their bites.
• Fire Ant Bites: Just like the name implies, fire ants deliver a painful bite that stings and burns, and is pretty hard to ignore. Bites are often accompanied by an itchy red rash that resembles a breakout. You should be concerned about multiple bites which can cause an allergic reaction. Signs of an allergic reaction include hives and difficulty breathing.
• Black Widow Spider Bites: Black widows have a notorious reputation and should be taken seriously. Their bite is small and consists of two puncture wounds. Symptoms of bites include muscle pain accompanied by swelling. Although rarely life-threatening, you should definitely seek medical assistance. Most people recover within 24 hours after seeking medical treatment.
• Tick Bites: Ticks prefer tall grassy areas and low lying shrubs and love to hitch a ride on unsuspecting pets. While a bite usually doesn’t produce many symptoms, ticks are considered parasites that can carry disease. If you are bitten by a tick, make sure you remove the tick's head and mouth and clean the area thoroughly. Monitor the site of the bite for rashes and other signs of infection. If you develop a rash that resembles a red bulls-eye seek medical assistance immediately. This may be a sign of Lyme disease.
• Flea Bites: Fleas are carried on pets and live outdoors in the grass. Flea bites cause itchy welts often on the ankles and feet. Just like ticks, the bites themselves are not dangerous; it’s the diseases they can carry. Fleas are known carriers of bubonic plague. Monitor for signs of infection and fever if bitten.
• Mosquito Bites: Mosquitoes are one of the most common insects that can be found during the summer months. Bites are typically red, raised spots that are most commonly found on legs and arms. Mosquito bites are particularly concerning as they carry diseases including West Nile Virus, Malaria, and Zika virus.
• Bed Bug Bites: Are one of the most dreaded home invaders, bites appear in red clumps and the resulting welts are most commonly found on the arms and shoulders of their victims. Bed bugs don’t spread disease although they may become infected when scratched repeatedly.
• Brown Recluse Spider Bites: The Brown Recluse Spider is non-aggressive in nature and prefers spaces that are isolated including old storage areas and woodpiles. A bite from the Brown Recluse can be serious. If you notice brownish-purple spots around the site of a bite, you should seek immediate medical assistance. These are known as necrotic lesions which can result in the tissue around the area of the bite dying. Necrosis can have very serious consequences including amputation.