Many insects in our world are beneficial and contribute to pollination, natural pest control, and waste cleanup. However, insects can also be a nuisance and cause pain, discomfort, and even diseases to humans. This is especially true in the summertime when people are spending more time outside and insects are out in full force.
Here is an overview of common biting and stinging insects, plus some natural solutions for insect repellents that you might want to try.
Mosquitos
Mosquitos are very common insects that sting and cause red and itchy bumps on the skin. Mosquito bites are small, round, and puffy right after the bite happens but become hard, red, and itchy later on. It is common to have a few mosquito bites in the same area on the body.
Fire Ants
Fire ants are common in the southern U.S. and build nests on the ground with mounds of dirt. These ants are likely to bite if a person steps on their nests, and they can sting multiple times you disturb their colony.
Bedbugs
You can catch bedbugs at home or when you travel because they live in beds, carpet, furniture, and other household items. The bugs are most active at night, and the bites are usually grouped together in clusters on the body.
Fleas
Most people associate flea bites with dogs, but humans can get bitten by fleas too. The bites common occur on a person’s legs and feet and appear as red and itchy bumps that are surrounded by a red ring
Chiggers
Chiggers are arachnid-family insects and very small in size. However, they have a powerful bite and can quickly attach to skin when a person comes into contact with vegetation where they are living. Chiggers commonly live in wooded areas with tall grass and weeds.
Bees and Wasps
Many types of bees and wasps have stingers but aren’t aggressive towards humans unless they are threatened. You may need to get the stinger out of your skin after the insect makes contact, and these stings can cause swelling, pain, and hives. Hornets are a particularly aggressive type of wasp that is known to sting several times in a row when threatened.
Spiders
Certain kinds of spiders bite humans and can mild irritations, much like a bee sting. However, there are some very dangerous spiders that can cause a medical emergency when they bite and require urgent care. These include black widow and brown recluse spiders. Spider bites often look like two puncture marks from the insect’s fangs. Most of the spiders in the world aren’t dangerous at all to people.
Risks and Natural Solutions
Aside from feeling itchy and uncomfortable, serious complications can result from insect interactions, such as anaphylaxis. If you start wheezing, feeling short of breath, getting dizzy, having swelling in your mouth, or get skin symptoms in other places, it is time to seek emergency medical care.
To avoid this situation, you may choose to use insect repellent products in spray or lotion form that are applied to the skin. However, many of these products contain toxic chemicals that might be just as dangerous as the insects themselves.
Check out our blog about natural ways to repel mosquitos for safe alternatives, such as citronella, lavender, and tea tree oil. Natural treatments are also available when you have itchy insect bites, including Seagate’s Stop Rash for immediate relief on contact.
