Biting Insects in Wisconsin and What You Can Do About It

Whether it’s hiking through a wooded trail or boating on Lake Michigan, here in Wisconsin we love to enjoy the outdoors. We have talked before about what you can do to control mosquitoes in your own yard but when you venture out into parks and beaches it’s another story. These areas are usually full of biting insects that can annoy you and even ruin your good time. 

Types of Biting Insects

Even if you have dressed properly and covered yourself in DEET, there is still a chance you can be bitten by some kind of insect. Insect bites can range from mild to painful and some, like the mosquito, can carry deadly diseases. The best thing you can do is be prepared and know what types of insects can cause you pain.

Wisconsin Mosquitoes
There are more than 50 recorded species of mosquitoes that live in Wisconsin. The most common species is the genus Aedes. Unlike the usual life cycle of a mosquito, the eggs of this species can remain dormant for months or even years in dried-up ponds and riverbeds without a drop of water. When the water finally does return, the eggs will hatch. Using mosquito repellent when exploring Wisconsin’s forest is a must if you don’t want to be attacked by swarms of hungry mosquitoes. 

Biting Flies
One of the more annoying of the biting insects is the deer fly. Anyone who has gone for a run on our country roads can attest to the annoying persistence of a deer fly. Female deer flies are the ones who seek out the blood of mammals. Their bites can make a mosquito bite feel mild by comparison. Apply mosquito repellent to your head, neck, and shoulder areas to keep these pests at bay.

Gnats
Gnats or blackflies are tiny insects that can barely be seen until they are swarming around your face, crawling in your ears and nose. A gnats bite is usually painless and goes unnoticed until the itchy red bump appears and you wonder what bit you.

What To Do About Bug Bites

As you enjoy the many outdoor recreational activities in Wisconsin, it is only inevitable that you will come across some insects that will want to ruin your fun by biting you. Luckily there are some home remedies to help ease your pain so you can continue to enjoy your time outdoors.

Calamine Lotion
The ailments that calamine lotion can treat skin affected by poison ivy, poison sumac, poison oak, sunburns, and insect bites. When applied to the skin, zinc oxide in the lotion helps reduce swelling and itching. Calamine lotion can be purchased over the counter at any pharmacy. Be sure to read the instructions and ingredients carefully before using. Do not use it if you are allergic to any ingredients listed.

Cold Compress

Cold compresses have been known to reduce the pain and swelling from insect bites. Ice packs can provide temporary relief to bug bites. Just be sure to put something between your skin and the cold compress so you don’t burn your skin.

Baking Soda
Every grandmother swears by baking soda as a home remedy for many things. One of those is for bug bites and bee stings. Baking soda is rich in alkaline which reduces swelling and soothes insect bites. To make your own homemade salve just add 1 tablespoon of baking soda with water to create a thick paste. Apply the salve to the affected area and let sit for 10 minutes.

Antihistamines
When insects bite us they inject enzymes into our bodies that trigger histamines to fight it. This causes the red itchy blisters that we hate. Antihistamines such as Benadryl are designed to stop histamine production in the body and therefore stop the itching. Always make sure you pack some antihistamine with you on your outdoor adventures.

Put an End to Mosquitoes, Fleas, and Ticks! Call The Mosquito Control Experts at Buzz Off

You might not have control over biting insects in parks and other recreational areas but you do have control in your own yard. Before mosquitos start giving you and your family problems, call the experts at Buzz Off Mosquito Control Solutions. We have a variety of pest control services including mosquito, fly, and flea & tick control services. We offer our mosquito control service to both residential and commercial customers.

 Give us a call at (715) 281-3289 or send us a short message here. Don’t forget to follow our monthly blog for the best mosquito control tips in Wisconsin.