The recent hot and muggy weather has created the perfect environment for a host of biting insects. As such, more and more people are falling victim to midges, mosquitos and horseflies. Though the bites from these insects are far from fatal, they can be incredibly uncomfortable and in some cases, can trigger an allergic reaction.
According to the BBC, scientists claim that the wet and warm weather conditions sweeping the country have created the perfect environment for these insects to breed and multiply quickly. This situation is compounded by the fact that we are all out and about doing our best to enjoy the sun while it lasts, so gardeners, sunbathers and campers are all being advised to cover up and wear lots of repellent.
The National Trust’s naturalist and etymologist Matthew Oates told the Telegraph, “This is a very bad year for biters – horseflies and mosquitoes. The water table is high thanks to the winter’s rain, there’s no real drought prospect, and even the lawns are still very green. The conditions have created a perfect storm for biting insects.”
This outbreak of biting insects is incredibly uncommon; normally at this time of year they are driven away by the hot and dry weather. However, the impressive thunderstorms which lashed the nation last week have actually prolonged the insects’ breeding season. To make matters worse, we are rapidly approaching wasp season, which means we are heading towards a perfect storm of biting and stinging insects.
Mr Oates added, “It’s the biters that are plaguing us at the moment although we’ll have to see over the next few weeks whether it is going to be a bad year for stingers – wasps.”
Horseflies in particular have seen their population increase dramatically and their bites are considered the worse. They favour anywhere that’s near open water and rather than just piercing the skin with their bite, they actually cut into it; this increases the risk of infection and can be very painful. However, the problem doesn’t end with the initial bite; soon after they tend to become itchy and inflamed, which is made worse when scratched to relieve the sensation. In fact, the NHS website has seen a dramatic increase in the search for advice on bug bites.
Neal Patel, spokesman for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said, “The summer is certainly the time when people are more likely to be bitten by insects particularly as they’re walking around the countryside and wearing short sleeved clothing. If you do get bitten it’s best to treat the bite as quickly as possible. Usually it is when the swelling and itching starts that the problems occur so it’s important to get something on them quickly before they develop. It is important to check with your pharmacist to see if these treatments are suitable for yourself but some of the best solutions are hydrocortisone creams which are mild steroid creams or antihistamine tablets.”
With this “swarmageddon” descending on the capital, if you live in London and are in need of some pest control to help keep the biting insects away from your garden, then get in touch with us here at Empire Pest Control Today. We are properly equipped and trained to deal with a variety of pests quickly and efficiently!
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