Insect bites are never pleasant, but some are more worrisome than others. Knowing how to identify what type of insect bit you is the key to keeping yourself safe from harmful illnesses like Lyme disease and West Nile virus. Many of the most dangerous diseases carried by insects require quick treatment to prevent major medical issues from occurring. Here’s an easy how-to guide for some of the most common biting insects!
Mosquito Bites
Mosquitoes are attracted to humans from their body heat and the carbon dioxide we exhale. Mosquito bites are red bumps on the surface of the skin that are irritating and itchy. Some mosquito bites are larger than others, but they almost always present as red and itchy. The best way to prevent mosquitoes around your home is to take away their preferred habitat and breeding ground. Mosquitos thrive anywhere there’s standing water. Removing the standing water on your property will deter mosquitoes from hanging around.
Flea Bites
Fleas are a pest that can bite rodents, pets, and humans alike. Any warm-bodied creature is at risk when fleas are around! Fleas are known to carry several bacterial diseases. A flea bite is painful, red, and itchy. The best way to protect your home against fleas is to treat any pets with regular flea and tick prevention medication. This can be found as a topical, an injection, and even an edible treat for your pet.
Tick Bites
Ticks are parasites that feed on the blood of animals and humans, much like a mosquito. Ticks can carry Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and a number of other blood-borne illnesses. Tick bites are hard to identify from just the bite itself, but luckily (or unluckily), the tick is usually still attached when you discover the bite, so there’s no wondering what bit you. Ticks live in areas with a lot of brush and vegetation. Anytime you’re in a field, the woods, or another space with dense brush, inspect your body as soon as you get home for any ticks. Your pets should be checked too! If you find a tick, follow safe home removal instructions.
Bed Bug Bites
Bed bugs are another insect that feeds on the blood of humans. Bed bugs can live in your home, car, and even on public transportation! Bed bugs can enter the home when you are around one somewhere else, hitching a ride home with you. These bugs multiply quickly and leave small, red bites. Bed bug bites are usually found in a straight-line pattern. Bed bugs don’t carry illnesses, but they are annoying and uncomfortable to live with! The best prevention for bed bugs is not bringing high-risk items into your home, such as secondhand furniture. You should also clean your home regularly, including under the couch cushions and around your mattress!
Contact Pied Piper Pest Control!
If you or your family has been experiencing uncomfortable insect bites in or around your New Orleans area home, contact Pied Piper Pest Control! We provide pest control solutions for a wide variety of insects and other pests! Call us today at (504) 366-1333, or fill out the contact form on our website!