Small but Mighty - Ouch!

Even though we had to keep an eye out for falling iguanas just two weeks ago, we’re thankfully back to normal temperatures here on the Gulf Coast of Florida. That means instead of lizards dropping, we have to keep an eye out for bugs biting. Our subtropical weather is not only ideal for snowbirds and tourists, insects enjoy it year round.

And Insects Bite

One of the joys of living in Florida is waking up in the morning with red bumps and trying to figure out - is this a bug bite? And if it is, what bug bit me? 

We have no shortage of biting bugs in the Sunshine State, from the typical (mosquitoes, fleas and horseflies), to the unexpected (chiggers, deer flies, spiders and red imported fire ants). While all of these bites have some similar characteristics, it’s important to look for the differences so you can treat them accordingly.

Red Imported Fire Ants and More

Stumble into the wrong ant hill and you will not get it wrong again. Red imported fire ants aren’t native to our shores, but they definitely have a foothold in our part of Florida. Worse, most people don’t get just one bite. Once you disturb one fire ant, he sends a signal out to everyone else, and you’re suddenly swarmed with biting fire ants. 

Be careful with these itchy bites. Scratching them too vigorously can cause them to turn into welts or even pus-filled mini-blisters. Many people are also allergic to fire ant bites, with treatment ranging from a Benadryl to a trip to the Emergency Room. 

If you wake up and discover itchy red spots or bumps, especially around your legs and ankles, those are more likely to be bed bug or flea bites. A topical cream should provide relief, but then look for signs of an infestation. Bed bugs will leave behind tiny black or reddish stains on bedding and mattresses, along with pale yellow eggs or shells. Fleas shed tiny black specks on your furniture and pets.

Bees & Wasps

Bee and wasp stings are another insect incursion you can’t help but feel. Bees are not aggressive and will only sting a person or pet when they feel you’re threatening them or the hive. For bees, stinging someone is suicide. The stinger stays behind, along with the bees’ hind parts. 

Wasps can be more aggressive, but unless you're another insect or sugary treat, they’re not seeking you out. The biggest issue is around wasps’ nests – if they see you as a threat, they will attack, and they can sting multiple times. 

These types of stings leave a swollen red mark on your skin that may radiate out a bit. If you do have a stinger in you, use your fingers to pluck it out, or brush it with the edge of a credit card. Tweezers can squeeze more of the toxin into your skin.

Spiders

Most spider bites in Florida are harmless or just a nuisance. Unless you spot a black widow or brown recluse, you should be safe. A black widow bite will look like two pinpricks, followed by severe muscle cramps and other side effects. Go to the ER. Brown recluse bites appear as a bulls-eye or target on your skin, with the bite interior most. It can swell and cause a raised blister you’ll want to get treated.

Mosquitoes

We’ll end with Florida’s favorite state insect, the mosquito. Because even the act of biting itself causes itching, mosquitoes seem like the easiest to deal with quickly. Unfortunately, even if you kill the mosquito before it’s sucked out any of your blood, the toxin that causes pruritis is already in your blood stream. 

Mosquito bites have two main appearances. First is a roundish, hard red lump that often becomes itchier over time. Only slightly less common is a red splotch with a tiny hard white center. 

Gnat and no see um (midge) bites are often very similar, and similarly itchy. Watch for spreading redness with itchiness and/or a pus-filled pimple on the skin. These may be signs that you’re having an allergic (anaphylactic) reaction that will require topical cream or even a hospital visit. 

The best way to avoid mosquito bites is to wear long sleeves and pants, cover every inch of your skin with heavy fabric. Or you can invest in our exclusive No BItes Zone Mosquito Prevention Paqs. These easy to install treatments solve the problem of mosquitoes by making them all vegans, starting with the pregnant moms. For more details, or to schedule a drop off with your usual service, please give us a call!