Have you ever been bitten by a bug and started panicking because you didn’t know if it was poisonous?
Most people don’t pay much attention to insects until they get a bite and wonder if it warrants a trip to the emergency room. In fact, between 2001 and 2010, there were nearly 7 million emergency department visits for insect bites in the United States. And over 2 million visits for arachnid bites and stings.
Many of these bites are non-fatal and don’t require an ER visit. But it’s important to see medical treatment if you’re experiencing symptoms of a venomous bite.
So what NH biting insects do you have to look out for? Here we list the most common biting insects in New Hampshire.
NH Biting Insects
Whether you’re a New Hampshire local or have just visited sometime in the spring, summer, or fall months, you’re probably well aware that New Hampshire has no shortage of biting insects.
Thankfully, most of these are harmless and are just considered a nuisance. But a few can leave painful, possibly dangerous bites or spread diseases that require immediate attention.
Mosquitos
The East Coast is well-known for its high population of mosquitos, especially in the summer months.
These little buzzers generally just leave behind annoying, itchy welts, though some may carry deadly diseases such as malaria, dengue, and West Nile.
Black Flies
In New Hampshire, there are about 40 species of black flies. But do black flies bite? In fact, there are only 4-5 species of tiny black flies that bite, giving these bugs a negative reputation.
Generally out from the middle of summer to late fall, black fly bites look similar to mosquito bites, but they are often painful and sometimes blister.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are found in every state in the country, and New Hampshire is no exception. They leave tiny, itchy red bites on the skin, usually in clusters.
They’re also infamously brutal to get rid of. If you encounter bed bugs while traveling or have an infestation in your home, contact a pest control service ASAP to get the situation under control.
Ticks
These little parasites like to hitchhike along your clothing until they find a good spot to bite. Once they do, they’ll hang around awhile, slowly gorging on your blood until their bodies swell to 4-5 times their original size.
Bites from ticks are usually painless, and you may not notice one is on you for many hours. But they can carry many serious illnesses, including Lyme disease and Tularemia.
Black Widow Spiders
Possibly the most dangerous on this list, the black widow spider, carries an intensely painful bite that requires immediate medical attention. But fatalities from this bite are rare and are most dangerous to children and elderly people.
Preventing Insect Bites
There are several things you can do to prevent insect bites.
Wear long clothing when hiking or spending time outdoors. Use insect repellants to deter mosquitos and biting flies. Also, do tick checks after spending time walking through high grasses or brush.
Be careful when moving firewood or going into dark spaces that aren’t disturbed often. Black widows and other biting or stinging insects may be hiding in these places.
Be sure to look up travel advisories for areas with high mosquito-borne illnesses, and get vaccinations if necessary.
Pest Control Measures
If you’re dealing with many insect bites and pest infestations in your home, you may want to consider hiring a professional pest control service.
Garfield Pest Control handles a wide range of New Hampshire pest problems, including NH biting insects and more. Call today to schedule a free inspection and get an estimate.
