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 scott m. on
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I react badly to mosquito bites when abroad. This is the first summer that I've been plagued with similar reactions to insect bites here. One ended up with yellow blisters all around. I had to go to a drop-in to get it treated, with antibiotics.
Usually it was from the knee down, which coincided with gardening chores, but I did get on my chin, and hand.
I use Deet for my skin and lifesystems Ex4antimosquito for indoors fabrics, both are effective.
It was the long, wet pre-summer that caused whatever they are to thrive.
Sorry I'm a bit late in posting a reply. I've been spending my weekends and all this bank holiday weekend as well as chunks of last week rehearsing for the Paralympics opening on Wednesday. It's going to be just as spectacular, though with a very different style and direction. Enjoy!
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Permalink Reply by Liz Douglas on
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The easiest way is to attach wide sticky tape to the area's you know or think they might be I created a tape loop and attached them to the underside branches of my box hedge which is infected with Box Blight you might also check for any standing water in pots etc since that's where they breed. Alternatively check out your local 99p shop for fly papers which you can hang around the areas affected.
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Permalink Reply by Mark Smith on
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Only just come across this thread, but I'm convinced they are a type of gnat I've come across in France. I play 5-a-side on the astroturf at Parkview on Monday nights, and we started getting bitten there earlier this summer.
The bites I got were not midge or mosquito bites as they lasted too long and swelled up too much, but were identical to the gnat bites I've suffered on various visits to the East Pyrenees. These gnats are very quick, hardy and hard to notice, and I think that they may have migrated north and are now in London. I'll try to identfy what species they are.
On the plus side, they do seem to be put off quite easily by insect repellent. I've been spaying on the Jungle Formula each week, and coming back bite free, but I know the critters are still there, as some of the other players have still been suffering the bites.
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I think it's this little b*gger, which is a type of Black Fly. Apparently the Blandford Fly has been making a comeback in England, including many built up areas, and has hospitalised a number of people.
The ones below are what got me in Catalonia, and are also a type of Black Fly. The bites I got in London this summer were very similar to these.
http://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosca_negra
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=mosca+negra&hl=en&client=...
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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on
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I've now had a reply (below) from Eubert Malcolm in Haringey's Environment Department. You'll see that Mr Malcolm has endorsed the suggestion made by Liz Douglas about methods to catch these insects.
I was interested in Mark Smith's two suggestions - the possibility of these insects being either gnats or blackfly - including the notorious Blandford Fly. (Though these are not the white insects seen by Hugh.) If the latter is the case - for example along the New River - then local councils need to consider the example of Dorset.
The NHS website suggested by Eubert Malcolm includes a reference to Lyme Disease. If there is an increasing spread of this disease we need to take it very seriously - especially for children and young people.
It also strikes me that if climate change is leading to shifts in our insect population then we also need to think how we adapt. For example, avoid garden water features? Should we fit insect screens in schools or homes? Put mosquito nets over sleeping babies? New products can also mean new jobs.
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From Eubert Malcolm, Group Manager Regulatory Services
Dear Cllr Stanton
Thank you for your enquiry. It is very difficult for us to offer advice to residents without knowing exactly what these insects are, as I’m sure you will understand. The insects may be mosquitoes or midges where the bites can cause intense itching and swelling and although painful do not cause major harm in the UK. I have found some very helpful information online, one such site is http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/bites-and-stings/Pages/insects-bugs-that.... If any resident is concerned about a particular bite they should consult their GP or contact NHS Direct.The service has not received any similar complaints in the area, and the only advice we can offer at this stage, which has already been suggested is:
- To cover up when carrying out gardening (brightly coloured clothes may attract biting insects) and/or use insect repellents.
- The use of perfume and sweet smelling beauty products should be avoided. (insects will be attracted to fragrant skin, clothes and hair) and
- Refrain from gardening after dusk.
I also note that a resident has already suggested using either flypaper or sticky tape to catch a sample, both very good ideas, which will help us to identify the insect.
I hope that you find this information helpful. Information will also be placed on our website over the next few days.
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P.S. A Council officer will also be contacting the local Health Protection Unit.
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I only actually made one suggestion - gnat is a generic term that includes blackfly. I just norrowed down the possible culprit during my research. I'm convinced that is what bit me, due to the similarities to the bites of the black flies in the Pyrennes.
I think the white flies are probably innocent. They just happen to be around in greater numbers while the black flies are doing the actual biting.
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I've now had a reply from Dr Edward Wynne-Evans from the Health Protection Unit. I mistakenly described this as "local". It's actually located in Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1. But it is the unit which covers Haringey.My concern was whether health professionals had had a rise in referrals of cases involving serious reaction to insect bites. Dr Wynne-Evans' second main paragraph suggests not.
But we still need to capture some of the nastier biters. Anyone had success from putting out sticky tape loops or flypapers near the suspect parts of your garden?
----- Original Message -----
From: Edward Wynne-EvansTo: Alan StantonSent: Friday, September 14, 2012 6:44 PMSubject: Insect biting in HaringeyDear Cllr Stanton,
You query about biting insects has been passed by the Public Health Directorate at London Borough of Haringey / NHS North Central London onto North East & North Central London Health Protection Unit . We are the local health protection unit that covers Haringey.
General information about insect bites is available on the NHS Choices website at the link:
Insect bites and stings are common and usually cause only minor irritation. However, some bites or stings may trigger allergic reactions and others may become infected. The link above offers clear advice regarding what to do if someone is concerned after they have been bitten or stung (and also what to do to help prevent being bitten or stung).
We have surveillance systems in place within the GPs, A&E departments, walk-in-centres, hospital laboratories and NHS Direct that detect when an individual has suffered a serious infection and also if there is a general increase in individuals presenting with the same general symptoms. None of these systems has been triggered with regards to infections caused by insect bites in and around Haringey.
Dr Edward Wynne-Evans, Locum CCDC, NE&NC London HPU, Geographical Lead for Haringey
HPA London, 151 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W 9SZ
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Permalink Reply by Nick G-T on
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No I didn't. My bites lasted almost a year and one or two areas still occasionally flare up with a terrible itch.
I managed to swat one but unfortunately my wife rinsed out the glass that I temporarily left it in!
Since last summer I have removed a stagnant pond and heavily pruned back an over grown garden, which may have contributed to them being there in the first place.
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Do they like like this?
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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I missed this post last year, Lisa, but yes they do look rather like that. Do you have any info? Other than the flies, I can't make out the subject of your picture, but boy am I glad I'm not there!
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