Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Tiny biting white flying insects
Each time I do work on our non-privet hedges and bushes in the back garden I seem to disturb a small could of white flying insects, each no bigger than a sesame seed. They almost look cute, but they pack a bite several times worse than that of a mosquito. On occasions a bite has resulted in a swelling several inches across. More normally it's just a matter of persistent itching and much more localised swelling.
I've Googled around the net but can no mention of anything resembling them. Does anyone have any idea what these ferocious little critters are?
Tags for Forum Posts: insect bites
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Nick G-T on
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Hugh, I asked the same thing on Liz's garden post just yesterday. I've been busy clearing our overgrown garden and was bitten over a dozen times mainly on the arms but also above my left eye. The next day my eye was so swollen I could barely see and my arms were particularly bad. The resulting itch was unbelievable - I found myself waking up at night scratching the bites (a big no no). I recovered from the swelling on Wednesday (although the itch lives on) and so armed with insect repellent, attempted to tidy up the mess I created at the weekend. Alas, I was bitten a further half dozen times; this time underneath my shirt and the itching and swelling has returned with a vengeance. I've googled and cannot pin point what they are (I thought they might be a black fly or the Blandford fly but I'm not so sure, they're more translucent). I was so pleased to finally have a garden but now fear it a little! I'd love to know what they are.
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Permalink Reply by Takaokagiejin on
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Me too, no idea what they are but if I found that if I take an antihistamine (hayfever) tablet as soon as I get bitten it doesn't come up. Cures the symptom and maybe this freezing rain will cure the cause.
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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Missed the post yesterday. You seem to be having a hard time of it. Sorry to hear about that, but in a perverse way, it's nice to know I'm not the only one.
It's strange we can't either of us find anything on the web. I came across the Blanford too, but it doesn't seem to fit.
I've just been out pollarding a lime tree at the end of my garden, Beneath it is a hedge made up of evergreen honeysuckle, pyrancantha and variegated holly. When I set the ladder up against it a veritable cloud of these little critters came out. I dug out the Jungle Fever, smeared myself well and covered up as best I could. Delighted to report that I emerged unscathed.
Nonetheless I want a name for these little sods!
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I also had the same perverse thought and was glad I wasn't the only one! I couldn't believe such a thing exists in the area. I always over react to insect bites, particularly from mosquito's and have a prescribed corticosteriod cream that I use after being bitten, but even these insects were no match for the cream. Over the counter antihistamine didn't help at all unfortunately.
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Can anyone catch one and photograph it ? i know this may be difficult because they are very small. Maybe even a rough drawing ? Then we can post it online for answers.
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Does this help, James?
PS: I'm not going anywhere near the little buggers. I've braved them once today!
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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on
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Haringey Pest Control offers a free service to identify the insect. Unfortunately you'll need to catch some and post them.
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Permalink Reply by Jeanette Sitton on
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Hi Hugh
They're probably Whitefly, (Trialeurodes vaporariorum).
I think they're on the increase - most likely a result of climate change.
A friend of mine got bitten several times on his leg and it swelled badly. You'll need antihistamine.
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Mix a strong soapy solution and put it in a spay bottle. Washing up liquid is often quite good. Try spraying the plants that have Whitefly. This might make them leave, and shouldn't harm Ladybirds.
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Thank you both. They certainly look like the critters that Jeanette has suggested, but the web seems to think that whiteflies don't bite.
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Permalink Reply by Julia Bell on
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they don't - they eat your plants - I think you'll find the culprit is midges (or possibly mosquitoes) - which can be harder to see than you think and there are some evil ones around our hood. I suspect yours were hiding out under cover with the whitefly . . . but if you were bitten in the day it was much more likely to be a midge . . .
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