If you’re covered in red welts, itching, and scratching like a cat on a new couch, then you’ve probably been flea, mosquito or chigger bitten. Although other insects can put the hurting on a body, it’s more likely that you’ll see the offender if you’re looking at spider bites, fly bites or bee stings. Often, you’ll only be vaguely aware that you’ve been attacked by one of the big three summer pests, but you will certainly be aware later when you start itching or if any of the bites become infected.
If you head outdoors for work or play or if you have pets (especially
indoor/outdoor varieties), then expect to run into fleas, mosquitoes, and
chiggers. Fortunately, these parasites tend to be warm weather pests, but they
can sure be irritating (pun intended) during the key fun months.
Identifying the Itchy Offenders
In order to reduce or eliminate being attacked by fleas, mosquitoes, or
chiggers, first determine the source of the problem. This includes figuring out
where the pool of body biters reside and which of the pests are latching on and
doing damage.
Though fleas generally reside outside and like animal blood better than
human blood, they will feast on people blood when hungry and will hitch a ride
inside where humans become the prime targets. The best way to determine if you
have a flea problem is to pat outside animals or get down on all fours, tap
indoor carpet and look for the tiny jumping specks. Fleas are only 1/16 to
1/8-inch long, but it is possible to see these pests, and a light stirring can
send them jumping.
Both mosquitoes and chiggers tend to be outdoor dwellers. Both love wooded
areas especially spaces that are overgrown. Mosquitoes, in particular, like wet
areas including spaces where water sits and stagnates.
If you’ve been outdoors and have red welts on your body, then you’ve
probably been mosquito or chigger bait. Since mosquitoes can buzz and also tend
to have a little nip when attacking, you’re more likely to know if you’ve been
attacked by mosquitoes. If you didn’t notice any mosquitoes and have similar
bite marks, then you’re probably dealing with chiggers. Mosquitoes are large
enough to see. Chiggers can be seen but are small enough to be hard to detect
without effort. If you think an area is chigger infected, place a black piece
of paper sideways in the grass. Check the paper for small, red bugs about the
size of the end of a toothpick.
Checking Out the Damage
One way to determine the pests involved is to check out the red marks left
behind. Though it might seem that one red, itchy bump looks pretty much like
the next, the marks, in fact, have distinct characteristics.