No-See-Um (Midge) bites vs Mosquito bites
You might call it the battle of the bugs and their bites. We’re talking about two of the most annoying flying insects: mosquitoes and no-see-ums. You would think by now, the mosquitoes would be gone, but not so fast. It seems that mosquito “season” is year-round. And now pesky no-see-ums have joined forces with them, creating havoc on our outdoor activities. And their bites—oh, their bites. But whose bite is it? SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ has some answers. Check out our guide below that will help you differentiate between gnat (midge) bites vs mosquito bites once and for all.
Mosquito Bites Sting
Sometimes you can feel a mosquito biting you. There will be a stinging sensation. But other times you don’t feel anything at all, and they take off before you get a chance to swat them. It quickly becomes obvious that you’ve been attacked. The bite mark will swell, turn a bit red, and begin to itch, all of which are normal. Fortunately, this lasts just a couple of days, especially if you don’t continue to scratch it. The reaction to a mosquito bite is somewhat more pronounced, for children and people with compromised immune systems. Some people are allergic to bug bites. If you experience flu-like symptoms, be sure to see a doctor, to rule out the possibility of an insect-related infection, because, after all, mosquitoes can carry disease.
Ways to Treat Mosquito Bites
There are a number of options for treating mosquito bites, both traditional and non-traditional. For starters, you can apply ice, wash the area with soap and warm water, apply rubbing alcohol, apply an ice pack, and use over-the-counter pain relievers, topical anti-itch medications, and antihistamines to control pain and itching.
They’re called No-See-Um for Good Reason
No-see-um is a nickname, which fits them perfectly. That’s because they’re so small – only 0.03 inches long. It’s very difficult to see them. Their small size allows them to get through screens on windows, doors – and yes, your lanai. Also referred to as biting gnats or biting midges, they’re actually smaller than fleas. They are bugs that look like mosquitoes, they’re also blood-suckers. Only the females bite, and they also prefer to hang out during early mornings and evenings.
No-See-Um Bites Can Really Hurt
But when turning to their bite – OUCH! Their bite hurts much worse than a mosquito bite, due to their saw-like teeth. Oh, you’ll definitely feel their bite, except you won’t know what’s biting you, because they’re so small. But again, there will be pain. What does a no-see-um bit look like? Pain aside, it could take hours to even days before you’ll notice no-see-um bite symptoms, clusters of red dots, or large red welts on your skin that these biting gnats leave behind. These welts can extend up to 2 inches in diameter.
Ways to Treat No-See-Um Bites
Treating no-see-um bites is similar to the mosquito protocol: wash the bite area with soap and warm water, apply rubbing alcohol, use over-the-counter products, and by all means, try not to scratch the itch. If it gets worse, see a doctor.
Plan of Attack: Natural Pest Control Products
We can help you lay out a plan of attack for mosquito and no-see-um prevention, with our mosquito control products used in our misting systems. We most commonly use pyrethrum, which is derived from chrysanthemum flowers. It’s among the most widely used botanical mosquito and no-see-um control products. Plus, it’s biodegradable.
We also use Zero-Bite, a botanical insect repellent, and offer rosemary oil-based products, with EcoSmart Botanicals™, which is USDA National Organic Program Compliant. Rosemary, a natural bug repellent has been used for centuries to keep mosquitoes and other pests away.
Our custom-designed mosquito control misting system will keep annoying flying bugs away for a long time. Once installed, you can set our misting system to activate 3 – 4 times a day for anywhere from 20 – 45 seconds.
Call Us and Take Control of Mosquitoes and No-See-Ums
Contact SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ at 1-866-900-SWAT (7928) to schedule an appointment for a free estimate on our mosquito mist system. We have a location near you. We hope you learned something new from our guide. Here’s to staying bug bite-free!