- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
Tabatha Yang and her six-month-old son, Karoo, were sitting on their lawn last Sunday at their West Davis home, when she saw red. Literally.
One minute they were enjoying the springlike weather, and the next minute his head was covered with bright red dots. Looking closer, she spotted a tiny insect in his eye, which she quickly removed.
Then her legs began to welt and itch.
They had just encountered no-see-ums, tiny Valley Black Gnats that feed on blood.
“The adults are emerging in large numbers now and need blood so residents need to beware of grassy areas that cover alkaline clay soils,” said Lynn Kimsey, director of the Bohart Museum of Entomology and professor entomology at UC Davis. “These insects are ferocious biters. Even though they don't spread any diseases, they are sufficiently annoying to keep people indoors in some areas of California.”
The Bohart Museum is now fielding scores of calls and emails.
“These no-see-ums are smaller than fleas and have a supreme itch,” said Yang, Bohart Museum education and outreach coordinator, who knew immediately what they were.
The biting gnats are particularly troublesome along the west side of the Sacramento Valley, including Davis and Woodland. “They're often in grassy areas, such as in parks and on golf courses on the west side of California's Central Valley,” Kimsey said. “When the soil begins to dry and cracks develop, the adults emerge.” The complete life cycle from egg to adult takes about two years.
The no-see-ums (Leptoconops torrens) belong to the family Ceratopogonidae and are about 1/16-inch long. They are so tiny they could pass through window screens, but they don't, Kimsey said. However, they can and do slip beneath loose clothing, unnoticed, to get a blood meal.
Like mosquitoes, only the female no-see-ums bite. The insects breed when the weather warms in the spring, usually in May and June, and they remain a pest for several weeks, Kimsey said. They need a blood meal to complete their reproductive cycle.
They also bite domestic and wild animals and birds.
The females inject saliva into the skin, which pools the blood just beneath the surface, resulting in a small red dot that becomes excruciatingly itchy. A single bite can welt into a one-or two-inch diameter spot, which lasts about two weeks.
Kimsey cautions people not to scratch the welts, as scratching makes the itchy bites last twice as long and can lead to infected sores.
To avoid being bitten, Kimsey recommends that you limit exposure by not sitting long in places where they are likely to occur, or where you've heard of problem areas. “Move quickly through the area.”
“Repellents,” she added, “aren't effective against these flies.”
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May God bless you as you search for remedies.
Still not pleasant experience but at least the oils work and they are safe even for kids.
I moved to AZ about 3 years ago from back East and had never heard of these bugs until recently. I went on vacation a couple of weeks ago and a couple days prior I started to get an irritated itchy feeling on my stomach area. I didn't think much of it because i get a lot of skin irritations but a day or so later after i was on my vacation and red bumps started to appear all over my torso and they were incredibly itchy. the bumps were raised, circular, looked like a ring with a dot in the middle. they would get inflamed and so itchy it started to get me really worried. i had no idea what it was. i thought it felt and looked like chicken pocks but they were only on my torso. i did my best to ignore the itching and enjoy my vacation. it would itch all night and heat and being covered with clothing made it feel worse. after showering the irritation increased. I tried applying hydrocortizone cream but it didn't improve or feel better. i thought to take Benadryl but i know from experience how lethargic that makes me so by the 3rd day i found and bought a Benadryl like spray and sprayed it on the bites a few times a day and within a day or two i felt much better. the bites didn't itch much anymore and started to dry up. it has been about 3 weeks and the marks from the bites are still visible and seem to get irritated again after being out in the sun so laying out in the sun has proved to be a bad idea at the moment. i fear i will experience these bites again, due to these no see ums being so common. i probably have experienced them in the past but not so profound, i just didn't know that's what it was. i do now and it really creeps me out. at least the Benadryl spray worked pretty good so i wanted to pass it along to those who share my bad experience and hope it might help others! Good luck and stay healthy!
From reading all the comments, it seems like they are all over the U.S.
I take a Super B Complex and a whole (small) garlic clove as a blood purifier and natural internal insect repellent, garlic will also kill any internal parasites, I drink 1 package of Emergency and take an extra 4000 mg of Vitamin C for healing the skin and bites. A couple of very hot showers a day disperses the histamine and after each shower, it is an ooo-ahh moment! Don't burn yourself! I cover myself with an oil mixture I premixed and kept in a bottle with about 4 oz olive oil, 4 oz coconut oil with about 6 to 10 drops each of essential oil: lavender oil, clove oil, peppermint oil, tea tree oil (don't get in eyes, flush with water if it happens), it is so soothing and moisturizing to the skin, then I believe the best and most effective healing and anti-itch application I found was cover myself especially at night because it looks so funny, cover area with 40% zinc oxide..too bad it isn't clear because it is a thick white pasty cream..I use the Walmart brand Equate, but d
Diaperene? may be the same %
This seems to be working well as both a repellent and drying and healing the bites,
I wish everyone fast and soothing healing and inner and outer peace
from noseeum bites. At times I think it works. Try it. Nothing to lose if it doesn't work.
For chiggers---wipe your skin with dryer sheets, then wrap them around your ankles when you go where they are really bad. Chiggers don't seem to like dryer sheets.
For noseeum bites---take a straight pin and insert it in the top layer of skin above the bite, making a couple small holes in the skin. It sounds painful but as long as you stay close to the upper layers of skin it doesn't hurt.
Next, flood the spot with hydrogen peroxide. Do this a couple times. If the bite is really bad, follow with rubbing alcohol. This works for me every time, stopping the itching and making the bites go away in two or three days.
To keep noseeums out of the lawn, I haven't tried this for these, but it works pretty well for mosquitoes---1 cup lemon ammonia mixed with 1 cup lemon dish soap and put in a spritzer and spritzed around the yard every 2-3 weeks.
I hope this helps someone. I might try some of the other suggestions, too. Doesn't hurt to have more than one gun in the holster---so to speak---when fighting these little devils.
http://markdroberts.com/?p=510
I was very skeptical, but oddly enough this really seems to work. Friends that have tried it agree. There are even some commercial gadgets for this:
http://gizmodo.com/5935350/therapik-bug-bite-relieving-gadget-review-we-cant-believe-this-actually-works
I'd be curious if anyone else has tried heat treating these bites and whether it worked. Wish I'd known about it a couple of years ago when they were driving me absolutely nuts.
ANSWER FOR ITCH: Use deodorant like Secret roll-on. The waxy kind, not liquid, on bite right after you're bitten and itch immediately goes away and it does not swell either. This has been "My Blessing" after being bitten and driven crazy. God bless to all.
I pricked each bite with a pin and dabbed the opening with white vinegar. Ahhhhhhhhh! Yes I repeated the process on a few of the bites but generally, it was immediate relief and do I mean relief!
I had my first bout with no see ums in the Bahamas years ago and brought them home in my suitcase, too. Wish I knew then what I know now. Again, thank you.
I cannot express enough, take your antiobiotic bactrim perfectly! Don't miss doses. Take it at the exact times! If you screw up it can make infection worse.
Email me with any questions sheli272@aol.com
Have fun. This sucks so stay very clean!
As soon as I come in from the day I take a hot shower
Then massage into any bites 100% tea tree oil, then found out from a friend whose horse was being bitten by these, her vet said to spray down the horse with 1/2 rubbing alcohol and 1/2 Johnson's baby oil, so I made some for me as a repellent...it works, when I healed up, I forgot to use the spray everyday and got bit again.
Now after massaging in tea tree oil, I spray myself with the repellent, then put pure baby cornstarch on the bites and they don't itch as bad and I can sleep, it also helps them to dry out
I still drink the EmergenC and take garlic.
Can we use this website to find something in common, why some get bit and some don't? Based on some other things I've read,
I have type O blood,
There has to be a connection to either nationality, diet or medical condition?
One thing evident, 100% Australian Tea Tree, steamed distilled Essential Oil as a topical remedy is a common remedy that works, you can buy it in any store that sells vitamins. Do research, some brands are too expensive and it doesn't mean the quality is better.
Wish everyone the best!
Also, I created a website for people with Autoimmune, Grover's Disease. We have no defense on the skin. My goal is to promote real information to help others at no charge. I do not sell products or anything. Just trying to give back. Hope to hear from you.
sincerely, Richard Payton: www.grovers-disease.com
Help me what medicine can I buy from the store and what is it?
Thanks again!
http://www.teamloil.com/
Got bitten two nights ago out cooking a steak. Two days later they are itching like crazy. Bought some Cortizone to help with the itching. Learned my lesson. If I want a steak, it's going to be for lunch NOT dinner!
Best Regards,
Ron Carter
A touch of water in your palm and make a paste with it. Apply directly to itchy bites. Relax for a few moments. When I do this the itch stops. And even with bites from these nasty little buggers, the itch does not return.
Today they were here again. They saw the welts and red circles and deeply bumpy messed-up arms, and my legs are the same. Yesterday I went nutty with itching which probably made them worse. I was I using pink calomine to no avail. They did not find any bugs this time. I told them that someone today had mentioned no see ums. I did a Google about my bites and it brought me to this blog. THANK GOODNESS FOR THAT. I had twitched and scratched so much I had opened up the skin so I tried white vinegar like someone on this blog suggested. I am comfortable right now so I will continue to use it as needed. I only get bit while in bed so I may sleep in recliner for awhile. Thanks for all the helpful suggestions to all of you. If this does not work again I am going to try Avon Original Skin So Soft as it works for gnat repellant. A few sprinkles on me and my sheets might do the trick.
I am part of a marketing team for a company called Simply Soothing. We have a product called Bug Soother that our customers say WORKS agains no-see-ums. As far as we know it is very effective against them, but I would like to hear more reports about the effectiveness level.
I think I could probably set up some product trials to send to a few people for free, even. Would there be any takers? Email me at ethan@bigimprint.com.
The product is at www.simplysoothing.net.
Thanks!
Although initially upon seeing these photos & posts was I disappointed this was a difficult problem to prevent, I also felt such relief to be closer to answers. There is No Doubt whatsoever that these itching welts are identical from to my own. Now I've identified what has been causing my misery, I now know where to share my relief from the symptoms after such bites. After reading most of the post about I do understand that some have gained some relief from other treatments but this is a very simple treatment for the extreme itching, raised welts & misery these bites are obviously causing others.
Last night, after my 3rd day of an increasing number/appearance of the maddening & extremely itchy welts, I recalled my friend mentioning pure lavender oil directly applied "neat" to the individual welts of bug bites. I was shocked & overwhelmed by the subsiding itch in minutes. Also, the raised, red welts almost disappeared over the next few hours. I'd like to mention it's possible they reduced and almost disappeared sooner than that, but I simply didn't pay much attention once the itching subsided. In fact Although I am guilty of being a past skeptic & forgetful of of using my Essental Oils in the past, my almost immediate relief within minutes of the present bites is too exciting & effective not to share disappeared sooner than that, but I simply didn't pay much attention once the itching subsided. In fact Although I am guilty of being a past skeptic & forgetful of of using my Essental Oils in the past, my almost immediate relief within minutes of the present bites is too exciting & effective not to share with others.
Although I've been a minimally active distributor for this company in the past year, I now have a renewed & extremely passionate desire to submerge myself into research of natural remedies in hopes of informing others of this simple application for relief.
I've refrained from mentioning the specific essential oil company in this post simply to avoid anyone from discounting the information if they believe this is just an advertisement. Of course I would happily & immediately share information about this superior line of products to anyone who inquires. I do know that lavender oil is readily available to most people, but I can only attest to the pure product I used.
I look forward to hearing if others do experience the same results I've ecstatically found for myself. In the meantime, I'll be submerged in my research to deter or prevent the tormenting bugs from biting me.
P.S. This morning I awoke to find more bites, albeit so many fewer than in the last few days. I again applied a dab of lavender oil directly to each bite with a drop of lavender oil from my finger. (You may wish to apply with a cotton ball or swap. I simply was in such a hurry to attempt at relief, I didn't slow down long enough to reach for those items. I have once again had immediate relief from the intense itching. I must mention though, before waking completely, I scratched at a few. Those bites have needed a second application, but already improving as well. So I suggest, if there's any way possible, avoid stretching to achieve the best and most rapid results.
Secondly, the clear nail polish remedy is for chiggers. Chiggers burrow in I think, and thus can be suffocated. With no see ums you are getting a bite and they fly away, so there is nothing to suffocate.
Thirdly, THANK YOU for the ideas on how to stop the itching and how to get them to stay away. I don't want to get rid of the soil-based plants in the house so I may try putting moth balls around for a time to drive them away. The other ideas I will try in the yard.
But now I have to go. I have to put heat, ice, tea, lavender, vinegar, alcohol, calamine, benadryl, and cortizone on my bites! And stop scratching!
I haven't been able to sleep tonight because of the bugs. Every time I would lay down, after a bit I would start feeling what felt like the bugs and was thinking they were on the sheets before I laid down.
It hit me and I turned on the monitor light and blacked the screen and grabbed a shirt hanging in the closet and shook it in front of the light. Many noseeums appeared. Tried other items with the same results.
My conclusion is the bugs are probably on every hanging item in the house, in the drawers,on the sheets and covers,maybe even walls and ceilings.
I'm still getting bitten. There are 5 of us here but only my daughter and myself are being bitten. Or should I say eaten alive. Our bites swell up like hives. And omg, the itch. Im diabetic and live next to a gynormis park which is flooded twice a week. It has gotten overwhelming just in the last month. I.m looking for a repellant to off these unforgiving buggers. Any one know one that works? As far as treatments I've used. Anti-itch cream and spray.. Benedryl.. Bleach... Dryer sheets... Vinegar... Lemon.. Salt...aloe vera... Fingernail polish remover.. And even bandaids so I can't scratch. Most of them helped for a short period of time but itch came back. I just recently read on internet that if you boil a pan of water(rolling boil) ... Take some q-tips... Immediiatly after you take off stove.. Dip q-tip in water and place directly on bite. It will burn for about 2-3 seconds Do with each bite. Make sure the water is in a secure place so it is not knocked over. Very hot water! Do not use anything larger than a q-tip. You just want to burn the bite itself. I know it sounds a little painful... But oh my gosh! It was so worth it. I tried this at noon today and have not itched at all today. Supposedly the extreme heat kills the poison. So try it! Hope it helps!
I live in Miami, Florida and recently - as they were excavating behind my subdivision to build a privacy wall by the Turnpike, huge mounds of dirt were piled up. I can only assume that the dirt excavation has been the reason for two recent insect plagues that I had never seen during fifty years in Florida: first a beetle that ate many plants until I sprayed it with a homemade solution of garlic and water. The black, 1/4" insect left the area after the garlic lotion spray to all plants inside/outside the porch.
As soon as those were gone now we are infested - only the homes near the Turnpike - with no-see-ums. Not only outside but inside the house. After trying all kinds of gentle products for use inside the house including some made with essential oils, etc. to no avail, I saw the Gardner's glue ultraviolet trap. I had looked at the reviews for several similar products and there were bad for the most part. This particular one caught my attention. I was able to get them, three units plus a 10-pack refill on the internet for $92. The one on the porch trapped a lot of no-see-ums plus a couple of mosquitoes and other gnats; however, I was surprised to see the one inside the house taking in 25 no-see-ums in a 24-hour period. I now disconnected the porch one since it would be attracting lots of insects, some of which would be entering my house each time I open the door. Even though there are less around, the ones that come in first bite me and then go to the death chamber. It is better than before but not right still. I cannot sit for too many minutes on the computer since they hurriedly go to my legs. About the legs, I will not repeat in detail what you have read above: innumerable bite marks from the ankle to half the leg at the end of the pants, welts... well, a most horrible itching and terrible experience. The association has contacted the county's Mosquito Control unit and they will be fumigating the area. That's the good news; the bad one is that they appear to be extremely difficult to eradicate. My advice for those who have them inside the house, is to get the electric glue trap. At least I know that they will not come for a second meal.
Dr Blaylock says that mothballs are bad for you because of the chemical in them. Personally I wouldn't put them around my house.
For 4 weeks now, my house has been invaded by these horrible knats. I thought I was crazy because everyone I spoke to said either- it's all in your head, it's probably just hives from new detergent or something, it's hives because you are too anxious about the itch (that is imaginary). Even doctors have looked at me like I'm looney, including a dermotologist.
Help! I have looked at so many suggestions on sites similar to this and have tried so many suggestions. I find they work for a short time, and then the bugs start biting again with a vengeance. I have tried olive oil mixed with essential oils, Avon sprays and creams, other natural repellants that I found on Amazon, a fan at night to blow the bugs away from me(which I admit, does help me sleep anyway), tea tree oil, lemons--well, you get the idea.
It seems that the critters are resistant for a few hours and then are immune to whatever method I use. Has anyone else had this experience?
For two weeks I had fleas- from a kitten I had adopted. I had the house sprayed twice and finally the fleas were gone. And then I instantly was bit again thinking I still had fleas. I've since learned what I do have. The commercial spray killed the fleas, but why not the noseeums?
Right now, I have a hot hair dryer blowing on me and it is stopping the biting for now. Thank you everyone for all your suggestions and comments, btw.
I do have question-- Has anyone tried thermal heating the entire house?
The temperature is jacked up to about 159 degrees which kills any insects in your house. I am going to research this- I think it might be very expensive.
And my concern is after doing this--I know these bugs are outside on my screened-in porch and they will come in and then, what then?
Please, I would appreciate any suggestions or comments. Betty
http://www.finewoodworking.com/item/27122/how-to-glue-up-joints-the-right-number-of-clamps)
However, earlier today I got bitten again and realized it was no-see-ums--at least I applied the Alpha Hydrox cream in time and the welt immediately went down. The ones on my face still itch a little but the one on my stomach has stopped.
Good luck to everyone out there. One of these days maybe the world will be rid of these demon flies.
my house. I need help on ideas. Trying get them out. Their bites
are killing my family
It works just great, this small company used to be local (Charleston) but have very recently relocated, but still deliver to our door!
DEET-free, super effective, smells good and mosturizes too.
Use 6 drops of cittronella oil
2 drops of Peppermint oil
2 drops of Oregano oil
Shake and spray all over exposed body and clothes.
Works great!
But I have good news. The way to kill them, and to see what they look like, is to fill cups with apple cider vinegar (they don't like the other kinds), and a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap, and leave them around your house. The soap lowers the surface tension of the vinegar, so the flies are attracted to it, go to get some, and slip into it and die. The first day I did this in my house, within hours I found about 25 dead noseeums in the bottom of the cup. The problem is that they also live outside and they will land on your hair or clothes or just follow you through the door, into your house. So you have to do this all the time. But I did successfully kill all of them in my apartment and the bites stopped for awhile. They came back, so I had to start the process all over again. The next bit of info I have for you is that I tried several essential oils on my skin to repel them and so far only rosemary oil has repelled them. They would fly up to me, smell the oil, and back away. But it only lasts for an hour or two. I suspect that eucalyptus oil will have the same effect. These are the solutions I've found the hard way. Good luck to all of you in getting some relief.
What I do before I go to bed:
1. Isolate and seal my bedroom from the rest of the house. Use masking tapes if you must.
2. Eliminate/ kill noseeums with ‘oiled wand’ in every corner of the bedroom by waving it. You can see those buggers stick their butts to the board...and you can smile because you just did your revenge!
* Oiled Wand: made from light 24x18 in. plastic board (Home Depot For Sale sign). Apply/brush a thin film of baby oil on the board, cover completely. I once lived in the tropics and we use this method for small insects and mosquitoes. You can apply this method all over your rooms.
3. Install a small fan near the bed that will deliver a constant mild breeze. Noseeums are poor flyers and are blown easily even with a slight breeze. Have this fan on all night. this will take care of those buggers that you missed with the oiled wand.
4. Bracelets and anklets: made from light wool scarfs. Wear this on you wrists and ankles where your pajamas (fine knits & tucked in) ends. Those buggers hate wool materials--hard for them to move. And wear that wool scarf for the neck, too.
That’s it, if this helps, you post it here.
https://www.simplysoothing.net/bug-soother/
This last time has been the worst. We can't go out onto our patio anymore. Even sitting on the couch which is on the other side of the wall of the Patio is unbearable. Hopefully, the exterminator coming tomorrow knows what these things are and can kill them off for us because life is not livable like this!
Best way to alleviate the itch is to use a THERAPIK device that will apply the heat it generates to quell the itch! Amazing relief, thanks, THERAPIK you rock!
Best way to alleviate the itch is to use a THERAPIK device that will apply the heat it generates to quell the itch! Amazing relief.
The best way to deal with no-see-um bites is to not get bitten. Avoid locations and times when they are active. If avoidance isn't possible, wear protective clothing. Long sleeves, long pants tucked in, and even a hat with a mesh net. If clothing doesn't cut it for you, then there are repellents. Deet will work for awhile, but in extreme situations no-see-ums will tolerate Deet. Old-timers slathered themselves in oil. Baby oil, Skin So Soft and similar products work, but you have to put it on thick and keep reapplying. Oils work as a barrier that keeps the insects from getting grip in order to bite. Area wide preventative measures include insecticides. Bifen granules spread over your property will decrease or eliminate the no-see-um population over time. A propane powered insecticide oil fogger will eliminate no-see-ums in the area treated for 2 or three hours. Fog bushes and under porches and sandy spots, work from upwind to downwind. There are screens advertised as no-see-um mesh, but if given time no-see-ums will penetrate. If you're on a porch with screens, keep a fan blowing and burn citronella. Finally, nail polish if for chiggers. For most folks, some relief from no-see-um bites can be had with an alcohol wipe, but some people are so allergic to bites that they blister. Benadryl or a similar product may help, but in worse case a trip to the doctor for something stronger may be in order.
Hope this helps.
My question for you is, what is their life cycle? I would like to know how to get rid of them by working on their breeding places and nesting places!
Thank you.
Linda
The strange thing is that when I noticed the red dots on my legs I washed my legs right away with soap and all the dots disappear. However, the next morning the red dots reappeared and the pain started. They itched and burned like crazy. I was in so much pain for about a week.
I am thankful to found this blog. Here are a few things that work for me.
1.Oral steroid pills from the doctor. I took this after four days of trying to ride it out. It takes the inflammation down and helps dry out all the stuff under the dots.
2. TigerBalm. I know, it smells a little but it works wonder for me--better than what the doctor give me to stop the itch.
3. Baking soda and vinegar scrub. This helped me a lot before I tried the TigerBalm.
4. Sleep aid after a couple sleepless night. This was much needed to stop me from waking up and trying to scratch my legs.
I am still healing and feeling a lot better very day. Going into week No. 2.
Good luck everyone hope it helps !!!
God Bless
The bite STINGS a bit, then itches.
So very, very small. Cannot tell if they jump, fly or what. Must have huge choppers to bite thru socks?
Help. I am being eaten alive the moment I step outside. And my new fragrance? BUG SPRAY.
Hates it! Anyone? Teeny tiny bug. No visible wing set. Looks like the head off a flea. But fleas don't bite thru socks/shirts. right?
Heading for the Vit B now...
answer: hemmorrhoid cream.
Plus, it is good for funny remarks. My friend now keeps a tube in a living room drawer and offers this remedy to visitors w bites. Lots of yucks!
This works.
As for prevention, the only sure thing is a nun habit with a veil. I live near a convent and want to ask the Sisters for help!
Sitting in the freshly mowed lawn, I felt something land on the back of my left upper arm. I looked to see what it was and quickly picked up my right hand to swipe it off. It was an itty bitty black bug about 1/3 of a regular grain of uncooked rice. I think it had little wings that were wider than they were long. It looked like a gnat. In between the time it landed on me and me knocking it off I felt a deep SHARP hot sting and it left a round red mark about 1/2 it’s size. The bug didn’t make a sound. The whole upper part of my arm immediately felt really heavy and stiff. For 20-25 minuets the upper half of my arm felt tight and like someone had shoved a hot roofing nail into it. Within 4 minutes, tops, after the bite my dad looked at the bite mark with a bright led flashlight and strong magnifying glass. I’ve never been bit by a tick before, but I thought it could maybe be one. He said he didn’t see anything strange. Shortly after my dad was done, I got little clear welts In a perfect circle around the bite mark. I put tea tree oil on it and iced it after thinking I should do something to heal it. It’s been 5.5 hours since this happened and now there’s a 2-inch radius around the bite mark that feels hot to the touch, plus my arm is sore. I don’t have any itching, but from what I read, that could be because I put a bunch of 100 percent tea tree oil on it within 15 minutes of the bite.
Did anyone else see the bug that bit them? I live in Sacramento, CA which is 20 minutes from the area. This website is saying there is a breakout in.
Vanilla extract alone won't irritate your face, so apply a few dashes to your cheeks, forehead, nose and chin. Be careful around your eyes.
As for relieving the horrible itch, these worked for me:
1. Make a paste with baking soda and water and cover bite area. Reapply as it dries, or re-wet with a drop of water. Try oil instead of water for longer results. This doesn't work on the face, though.
2. Tea tree essential oil full strength (avoid eyes!)
3. Cotton ball wet with rubbing alcohol. Pull cotton ball flat like a pad, moisten it, and hold onto the bite.
4. Aloe vera gel (great for around eyes, especially a nice, fat pulp, peeled and cooled in the fridge. Rehydrate the aloe in the fridge and continue to use. We have even had soothing results with commercial aloe blends for sun burn relief, but with these avoid the eyes.
5. Cold wash cloth or chilled peas.
6. Wet tea bags, chilled.
7. Cucumber slices, chilled and peeled for eyes. Discard when it becomes warm, or rehydrate in fridge and reuse.
8. Half of an onion applied to welts. Avoid face.
9. Soothing essential oils blended in carrier oil, using lavender, German chamomile, frankincense, myrrh, calendula, pure vanilla extract in alcohol, tea tree, peppermint. Apply with a roller applicator. Avoid face and eyes with certain medicinal oils.
10. Benadryl or antihistamine tablets for allergies.
We have horrendous midges this year in North Central, Iowa. We didn't have hardly any biting insects last year. Must be it's not so dry. We're new here, and I've never had such terrible allergic reactions to these evil bugs! They're worse than mosquitoes!
My 7-year old has red, swollen eyelids because they attacked her face as she slept, and the swelling is continuing to spread and worsen. It's been 3 days. I will have to take her to the clinic if it continues to worsen by tomorrow as she rubs them constantly, doesn't like cold packs, and generally doesn't take care of them on her own.
No one else in the house is suffering like we are! I'm afraid to go out in the yard to work now, and can't enjoy the beautiful weather after a miserably cold, dreary winter!!! Curse them!!!
There are lots of good suggestions here for treatment. Thank you to everyone for contributing!
I live in Texas and this has been a problem for those working in their flower beds and for small dogs. They seem to live on porches and patios.
My 2 Shih Tzus will sit beside me and later when I get up, my nose and ears will itch and I will feel pricks on the rest of my body.
Thank you
TRY IT!
One of the postings mentioned spraying alcohol on the bite really helps and that does better than calamine lotion or anything else over the counter. On another site I read a post that said they had great success with bowls of dish soap and vinegar water sitting around, collected so many of these little pests. The thing I’m worried about is is there any possibility that we brought them home with us and that is why we are still seeing new bites. I live in Bakersfield, California and to my knowledge we have never had noseeums here. Thank you for all your postings this was very helpful
Encase and importantly seal your mattress in moving plastic so its air-tight. And do it again.
I'm in Australia and have been living with these bugs for a year now. $40k later, 6 rental cars and a new apartment later, they're back after a month. Bugger!(Pardon the pun).
I really hope to see the same high-grade blog posts by you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my very own blog now.
They also love the meaty cat food because I have squished dozens by tapping the little bowl causing them to move so I can witness them and I squish them. Also they are attracted to a small bowl of white vinegar with some liquid soap which obviously poisons them. I've recently trapped approximately 30 total in 3 different litle bowls over 2 weeks. A few I've smashed with my hand as they show up on the counters. Pest Control company say they can't eliminate them... Why are they here ??? I've lived in this home for 8 years. I've lived in this state almost 15 years. First time I heard of noseeums was while living in Virgin Islands but...when I got bit on 2 different occasions at night both times it was painful felt like I had been stuck/shot with a large needle. And I didn't see it. The ones here are very different I can see them !!! Often when they enter through the screened window they are white. But later I only see black ones. BLESSED that they don't carry viruses like mosquitos which I got Dengue fever from in the Islands. PRAYING !
I am not an outdoors person, and I mainly avoid sitting outside in my patio because I am afraid to get bitten worse, so my bites are occurring in my house. Does using a Bomb in the house help get rid of these? I will try anything.
I am considering heat treatment as someone mentioned here. I would like to get more information about this. Please help!