Mystery bites at the Allotment

[john west]

Wife and i are getting lots of very itchY bites daytime from our
allotment. They don't seem like mosquito bites which seem to usually to
be only one or two at a time.
But these can be in clusters of three or four bites at a time in
different places.
They bite mainly on the legs, but sometimes higher up, and are very itchy.
The allotment has foxes and rats which i think have fleas. Are these
likely to be their fleas biting us, or something else?
Grateful for any advice on what to do please.

[Janet]

In article <s5rhjd$40d$***@dont-email.me>, ***@mail.invalid
says...

Post by john west
Wife and i are getting lots of very itchY bites daytime from our
allotment. They don't seem like mosquito bites which seem to usually to
be only one or two at a time.
But these can be in clusters of three or four bites at a time in
different places.
They bite mainly on the legs, but sometimes higher up, and are very itchy.
The allotment has foxes and rats which i think have fleas. Are these
likely to be their fleas biting us, or something else?
Grateful for any advice on what to do please.

It's very early for mosquitoes and midges; and ticks don't do
clusters of bites. So my bet is on fleas (other common host sources
would be hedgehogs and feral cats. I've had flea bites from handling
both) IME flea bites on people are often quite closely in a line,
tracking the flea's progress: small, flat, round, red.

Irritating though their bites are to us, fleas need access to their
animal host to survive long enough to breed and multiply. So picking up
a few fleabites at the allotment on yourselves wont lead to an insect
infestation of your home.


Janet

[The Natural Philosopher]

Post by john west
Wife and i are getting lots of very itchY bites daytime from our
allotment.  They don't seem like mosquito bites which seem to usually to
be only one or two at a time.
But these can be in clusters of three or four bites at a time in
different places.
They bite mainly on the legs, but sometimes higher up, and are very itchy.
The allotment has foxes and rats which i think have fleas. Are these
likely to be their fleas biting us, or something else?
Grateful for any advice on what to do please.

fleas or ants is my best guess
foxes carry fox mange as well. dogs can get it off them

[Chris Hogg]

On Thu, 22 Apr 2021 11:02:21 +0100, john west

Post by john west
Wife and i are getting lots of very itchY bites daytime from our
allotment. They don't seem like mosquito bites which seem to usually to
be only one or two at a time.
But these can be in clusters of three or four bites at a time in
different places.
They bite mainly on the legs, but sometimes higher up, and are very itchy.
The allotment has foxes and rats which i think have fleas. Are these
likely to be their fleas biting us, or something else?
Grateful for any advice on what to do please.

If the bites appear in areas that have been covered up, e.g. under
sleeves or trouser legs, then perhaps fleas. Otherwise if on exposed
arms or legs, then maybe mosquitoes or midges. But mozzies and fleas
are not the only biting insects. Horse fly bites can be really
irritating and unpleasant, although I'd have thought it a bit early in
the year for them
https://www.healthline.com/health/outdoor-health/horse-fly-bite#horse-flies-and-humans

Another fly I used to get bitten by in the garden of my previous
bungalow was properly classified as a true bug, not actually a fly in
the strict sense. It was quite small, say perhaps 5mm long, wings
folded back over its body, with dark markings in each wing. It was the
common flower bug, Anthocoris nemorum, and the bite was almost as
unpleasant as that of a horse fly.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_flowerbug

But neither horse fly bites nor flower bug bites appear in clusters
IME, usually just singly. And it's also a bit early in the season,
although this mild sunny weather may be bringing them out early.

As for what to do about them, an anti-histamine cream will help
suppress the irritation and localised swelling/redness. To discourage
whatever they are in the future, I have found that Deet spray is very
effective, available as a spray-on or cream.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jungle-Formula-Maximum-Aerosol-Repellent/dp/B07N8KCTD1
https://www.hygienesuppliesdirect.com/products/prod257843-deet-personal-insect-repellent

[john west]

Post by Chris Hogg
On Thu, 22 Apr 2021 11:02:21 +0100, john west

Many thanks to all. Most helpful. To relieve itchy ness we have found
useful a traditional japanese remedy.
Which is Loquat leaves steeped in Vodka for several months and then just
applying the juice to the bite..

[Charlie Pridham]

Post by john west

Post by Chris Hogg
On Thu, 22 Apr 2021 11:02:21 +0100, john west

Many thanks to all. Most helpful. To relieve itchy ness we have found
useful a traditional japanese remedy.
Which is Loquat leaves steeped in Vodka for several months and then just
applying the juice to the bite..

Although I tend to agree its most likely Fleas, don't discount spiders
in the last couple of months I have been got twice! Although my 4 year
old grandson pronounced them "Baby Dragon" bites I am pretty sure the
culprit was a small black spider

[alan_m]

Post by Chris Hogg
As for what to do about them, an anti-histamine cream will help
suppress the irritation and localised swelling/redness. To discourage
whatever they are in the future, I have found that Deet spray is very
effective, available as a spray-on or cream.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jungle-Formula-Maximum-Aerosol-Repellent/dp/B07N8KCTD1
https://www.hygienesuppliesdirect.com/products/prod257843-deet-personal-insect-repellent

I've found that even something as simple as Germolene ointment helps
relives the itchiness.

[David Hill]

Post by alan_m

Post by Chris Hogg
As for what to do about them, an anti-histamine cream will help
suppress the irritation and localised swelling/redness. To discourage
whatever they are in the future, I have found that Deet spray is very
effective, available as a spray-on or cream.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jungle-Formula-Maximum-Aerosol-Repellent/dp/B07N8KCTD1
https://www.hygienesuppliesdirect.com/products/prod257843-deet-personal-insect-repellent

I've found that even something as simple as Germolene ointment helps
relives the itchiness.

Have you tried toothpaste?

[Bill Davy]

Post by David Hill

Post by alan_m

Post by Chris Hogg
As for what to do about them, an anti-histamine cream will help
suppress the irritation and localised swelling/redness. To discourage
whatever they are in the future, I have found that Deet spray is very
effective, available as a spray-on or cream.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jungle-Formula-Maximum-Aerosol-Repellent/dp/B07N8KCTD1
https://www.hygienesuppliesdirect.com/products/prod257843-deet-personal-insect-repellent

I've found that even something as simple as Germolene ointment helps
relives the itchiness.

Have you tried toothpaste?

FWIW, if you have a serious reaction to some of the bigger things, like
horseflies, an antihistamine tablet will (so it seems to me from
experience) reduce the reaction, limit the skin damage and the big lump.
There was always a blister pack of tablets at the bottom of my rucksack.

[The Natural Philosopher]

Post by Bill Davy

Post by David Hill

Post by alan_m

Post by Chris Hogg
As for what to do about them, an anti-histamine cream will help
suppress the irritation and localised swelling/redness. To discourage
whatever they are in the future, I have found that Deet spray is very
effective, available as a spray-on or cream.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jungle-Formula-Maximum-Aerosol-Repellent/dp/B07N8KCTD1
https://www.hygienesuppliesdirect.com/products/prod257843-deet-personal-insect-repellent

I've found that even something as simple as Germolene ointment helps
relives the itchiness.

Have you tried toothpaste?

FWIW, if you have a serious reaction to some of the bigger things, like
horseflies, an antihistamine tablet will (so it seems to me from
experience) reduce the reaction, limit the skin damage and the big lump.
 There was always a blister pack of tablets at the bottom of my rucksack.

And locally applied antihistamine ointment helps as well

https://www.boots.com/boots-pharmaceuticals-bite-and-sting-relief-antihistamine-cream-30g-10120823