Insect bites- identification required

potatolord

potatolord

potatolord

Soldato
Joined
21 Jan 2010
Posts
3,882
Every year, between late July and mid September, I get bitten by some vicious insect. I only get them on days I have been in the garden.

Almost all the bites are between knee and belt line, so under my clothes. I rarely get them on areas of exposed skin. The bites seem to be delayed response- they flare up several hours after I have been outside. I don't seem to notice them at the time, and haven't seen any bugs on me.

They are large and risen, and take 2-3 days to go down. They often flare up again a few days later.

They don't bite my wife or daughters, which is rather sexist. My neighbour said he gets them too, but his wife doesn't.

I have a cat, but they don't feel like cat flea bites I have had in the past- and don't bite on ankles or lower shin.

Insect repellant spray mostly stops the bites, so I'm ruling out an allergic reaction to a plant.

Anyone have any idea what could be biting me?
 
Where do you live? Does your garden back onto woods or a grassy area?

That's not midgies. My guess, from what you have said so far, would be tick nymphs.

I say nymphs because you're looking for something on you and can't see anything, but yet you're still getting bit. Tick nymphs can be too small to see with the naked eye and can also cause the reaction you describe.

But then, I am paranoid as hell when it comes to ticks so... :p
 
Last edited:
I think this is a matter for the authorities, I'd call the police... :) Who was that that started all this nonsense when offended by workmen starting early?
 
Eddie said:
Where do you live? Does your garden back onto woods or a grassy area?

That's not midgies. My guess, from what you have said so far, would be tick nymphs.

I say nymphs because you're looking for something on you and can't see anything, but yet you're still getting bit. Tick nymphs can be too small to see with the naked eye and can also cause the reaction you describe.

But then, I am paranoid as hell when it comes to ticks so... :p
Click to expand...

Backs onto fields, but I have a really heavily overgrown area with mature trees.

Jesus, first bedbugs, now ticks suggested.

Anyone want to go for assassin bugs?
 
potatolord said:
Backs onto fields, but I have a really heavily overgrown area with mature trees.

Jesus, first bedbugs, now ticks suggested.

Anyone want to go for assassin bugs?
Click to expand...

Open fields? Do you ever see deer in them there fields?

You didn't say where abouts you lived, but you may be living in an area with a heavy tick population.

It'll be ticks and there's no need for assassin bugs as tick-borne diseases are quite capable of killing you!

Get yourself a white pillow case (good tip @Rannoch) and go out and run it over the vegetation in your garden and see if anything clings to it.

You may need to get a magnifying glass to take a really close look as, like I say, ticks can be tiny.
 
Last edited:
Eddie said:
Open fields? Do you ever see deer in them there fields?

You didn't say where abouts you lived, but you may be living in an area with a heavy tick population.

It'll be ticks and there's no need for assassin bugs as tick-borne diseases are quite capable of killing you!

Get yourself a white pillow case (good tip @Rannoch) and go out and run it over the vegetation in your garden and see if anything clings to it.

You may need to get a magnifying glass to take a really close look as, like I say, ticks can be tiny.
Click to expand...

No deer, just horses and the occasional sheep.
 
midges. my wife gets bitten all the time this summer in our south london garden. she uses skin so soft and deet to ward them off
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom