Seven Pest Bites You Need to Know

Mosquito bites, perhaps, are one of the most common complaints among many, and also one bite that causes worry and concern, due to its association with the deadly virus of Dengue Fever. However, there are as many as seven pest bites that can be damaging and detrimental to either yourself or the environment. Rentokil shares the types of bites to be wary, and ways to prevent a pest infestation from taking place.

Bed Bugs leave bites without alarming you

Bed bug bites are one of the symptoms and signs of bed bug infestation, besides the bloodstains and shed skins you see on your bed and curtains. They are small and flat, slightly raised that are red, itchy and dark in the middle.

One unique way to identify bed bug bites is the appearance of a straight line or single row of bites, or clusters of bumps typically found on exposed skin. This includes your arms and hands, legs, neck and face. Skin allergy and rash can develop over time due to the itch and scratch, and they target hosts when they are asleep. This is because they are nocturnal and only come out at night for their blood meal, and often bite us without us noticing because of their release of an analgesic element as they bite into our skin. When such bed bug signs are detected, you should get rid of bed bugs immediately because they can hide well, reproduce fast and in volumes and spread quickly from room to room.

Mosquitoes suck blood for their food source

Mosquitoes bite on individuals because of their attraction to our body warmth and lactic acid we produce. While male mosquitoes bite, they do not need blood meal for reproduction. Female species of mosquitoes suck our blood for their meal supply, by piercing their mouthparts onto our skin, while injecting their saliva that causes a reaction. The danger of these bites is that a local anesthetic is released during the biting process that is painless and unnoticeable until we feel the reaction of the itch. While mosquito bites are just annoying and itchy, with a round swelling bump, mosquito bites can be harmful with the transmission of diseases including Dengue and Zika. It is important to seek immediate medical treatment if you experience symptoms including the following:

Body and joint paints or muscle aches
Fever and headache
Vomiting and nauseating
Pain behind the eye
Appearance of rash
Nose or gum bleeding
Feeling of tiredness

Sand Fly is a midge species that bite hosts

Sand Fly is among the many species of midges that are classified as biting-pests compared to midges that are non-biting and often mistaken for mosquitoes. They are found in large water body areas such as reservoirs or damp and sandy conditions and when bitten, they can cause painful, red and itchy bumps or blisters. Such bites can turn into an infection if the bite wounds are not managed adequately, and suck blood like those of mosquitoes. Going through similar life stages of the mosquitoes, they may transmit diseases including sandfly fever. As they are active in the evening and occur outdoors, it is important to put on sports attire with long sleeves and pants if you are out strolling or engage in outdoor activities.

Cockroaches can bite due to food scarcity

Cockroaches do not really bite; however, there are incidence of cockroach bites if there is an overpopulation or shortage of food supplies. They tend to attack body parts including face, hands and fingers (including fingernails), mouthparts which have close association to food consumption or presence of food residue. They are usually red in colour with a bump and occurs typically at night due to their nocturnal nature. Treat cockroach bites immediately to avoid turning into a skin irritation or infection with excessive scratching from the itch. As cockroaches are pests of poor hygiene, they may contain bacteria and viruses, and hence keeping wounds clean and medically addressed can minimise any health implication.

Rats can gnaw and bite causing hazards

Rats have incisors that requires constant gnawing and these habits can cause hazardous outcomes especially when they bite on wires, cables and anything haphazard that causes short circuit and fire. However, they can bite on human as well that can cause rash, infection and a condition such as Rat Bite Fever. Rat bites and small, that swells and are painful, and resembles of a puncture hole. Rat Bite Fever can cause serious symptoms including joint or muscle pain, fever, headache and vomiting or diarrhea symptoms. It is important to keep the wound clean and dry and seek medical attention where antibiotic treatment and cream may be given.

Ticks latch on pets and humans for blood

Ticks can cause Lyme disease when bitten with an infection and ticks’ bites are small, red and raised, similar to those of mosquito bites. It can develop into a blister, rash or infection, with allergy symptoms including fever, headache, body aches and chills. Because ticks latch on hosts including yourself and your pets, it is important to detect the presence of ticks on your pet and from your body after an outdoor activity as they lurk around grass patches. If you have spotted physical ticks, remove them quickly with a tweezer, but avoid crushing them to avoid breaking the body parts, leaving half in your skin or releasing their stomach contents into your wound. Look out for bites on your body that exude warmth and moistness including armpits, groin area and within your hair or pets’ fur.

Ants can cause painful and stinging bites

Some ant species can cause painful and stinging bites such as the fire ants. Unlike the sugar ants, fire ants are aggressive; they bite and sting when disturbed and provoked. You should not attempt to remove the ant nest by yourself. Remedies including the whacking at the colony, or spraying with insecticide or water, it is best to seek professional help. Usually found outdoors among ground area and grass patches, they can enter into your home through openings. Due to their diet including meat, sweet and sugar items and fats and grease, they can lurk in the kitchen and breed further. Fire ant bites are painful with a feeling of burning sensation, and it is best to manage with proper medical attention.

Debugged Blog Seven Pest Bites You Need To Know What Attract Pests

How pest infestation comes about

Most common cause of pest attraction is because of the presence of food sources including decaying matters, sugar and starch, waste and trash, water and any food leftovers and scraps. Pests feed on almost anything they can find in the home, and it is not difficult to breed and nest for a long time. Home habits such as eating habits, cleaning standards, inadequate management of piles, cartons and junks provide opportunities for pests to hide and nest. Environment and home structure may also affect the start of an infestation whereby warm climates allow mosquitoes to strive faster, while wet weather generates receptacles. Some homes are poorly ventilated and cause humid and damp conditions, thus building moisture and buildup of mold and dew. Here are more causes of pest problems:

Inconsistency in pest treatments delivered, i.e. gaps in between treatments
Ineffective or incorrect pest services that results in recurring infestation
Lack of pest detection such as missing other hideouts or nesting spots
Globalisation such as bringing bed bugs back from other locations
Spread of pests for instance termite colonies spreading sideways or upwards
Use of DIY pest remedies that lack of residual effect and treatment efficacy
Current activities such as nearby construction that generates mosquito breeding

Debugged Blog Seven Pest Bites You Need To Know Managing Pest Bites

Why we cannot treat pest bites lightly

While some bites from pests are generally harmless and may recover over time, it is important that we do not treat them lightly. This is because some pests contain toxins and stings. They may result in allergies and in severe cases, causing symptoms such as breathlessness, dizziness or shock. Most bites are red, swollen, itchy and possibly turning into skin infection. More importantly, learn to recognise the types of pest bites to help identify any possible pest infestation happening in your home. For example, an observation of mosquito bites could represent a higher mosquito population, and you can take steps to prevent yourself from being bitten by Aedes Mosquitoes. It also signals possibilities of presence of mosquito breeding around the vicinity and an alert of mosquito prevention needs.

Dealing with pest bites

Here are some tips and recommendations in managing those itchy and painful bites:

Wash bites, stings and wounds to prevent infestation
Apply itch cream and soothing lotion to relief itch
Antihistamines may be used to reduce the itch and allergy
Only take over the counter painkiller under supervision and medical advice
Use ice pack to reduce itch and swell
Seek medical treatment when in doubt or worsening of condition
Do not attempt to remove stingers if unsure as it may release more toxin
Always keep wound clean and dry at all times

Debugged Blog Seven Pest Bites You Need To Know Pest Elimination

Eliminating pest problem in your home

Start with adopting a diligent housekeeping regime

One of the easiest and most important steps in dealing with pests is to ensure you have a sound, diligent and consistent housekeeping habit. This includes sweeping and vacuuming the floor, mopping and wiping the surfaces including floor and countertops, and keeping the space dry from stagnant water and build-up of leaks and spills. Dust, mold and fungi should be removed from walls, furniture and any surfaces that allows some pests such as booklice to feed on.

Kitchen maintenance should be prioritised as they provide vast varieties and volume of food for pests including cockroaches and ants to feed on. Organise the cabinets and shelves, remove clutter, adopt proper food storage, empty waste bins and avoid exposing food in the open. Furniture and upholstery should not be neglected. They attract pests such as bed bugs that latch on these items and feed on hosts for blood meal.

Outdoor is usually the most neglected part of the home and the misperception pests will not enter. Pest can enter at any possible size of openings, including the little gaps in between your door and Floor. Maintain the outdoor by ensuring sound landscaping, eliminating overgrown shrubs and mulch, and remove decay and infested wood. To prevent pest entries, engage some simple renovation to fix those gaps and crevices you have been procrastinating for long.

Look for a reliable pest control company

Trained and certified pest control specialist can perform the following:

Detect pest presence and their hiding locations accurately
Access your home condition, environment and risk assessment
Identify root causes and possible reasons for attracting pests
Suggest relevant and adequate pest treatment at affordable rates
Advice pre and post pest services checklist you should adopt
Monitor and inspect current pest infestation condition
Advice on necessary housekeeping and proofing needs
Look out for other traces of pest activities and infestation signs

Depending on the pest type that is infesting your home, treatment types, application mode and frequency differ. Firstly, cockroach and ant treatment are common and more straightforward with monthly or bi-monthly application of gels or baits and residual spraying at strategic corners. Secondly, rats control requires the placement of baiting units with lure and their movements and activities are monitored via a sensing technology where specialists look for activation through a command center. Thirdly, mosquito control typically involves an integrated mosquito treatment. This eliminates larvae and adult mosquitoes through fogging, larviciding and placement of mosquito traps. If your home resides in the dengue cluster zones, frequency and number of traps may increase.

Finally, termite treatments are usually more complex and large scale, involving days of treatment and years of monitoring and warranty. Termite control usually involves a thorough termite inspection, followed by choice of treatments, ranging from localisation, foaming, baiting and termiticide injection. Overall, pest management also includes reporting and updating of pest trends to ensure your pest problem is under control.

Constant monitoring and home maintenance

You have a part to play in pest eradication because having regular pest control is only one of the steps involved. Pest can travel and occur at any possible conditions including the following; hence, pest control would not promise a lifetime immunity against pest infestation.

Gaps and lapses in home cleaning that allow pests to manifest and feed on
Weather or environment condition that causes spike in pest presence such as dengue cases
Cross infestation reasons such as entering from neighbours or external source
Hitch-hiking and latching pests back home including bed bugs and ticks that hook on hosts
Home and structure conditions such as compromised integrity that allow pest entries
Increase in moisture and humidity that are main causes of pest problem
Poor eating and dining habits that leave food crumbs and residues behind
Negligence in trash management and disposal that attracts cockroaches to them
Design and home material choices that increases risks of pest infestation such as termites

Debugged Blog Seven Pest Bites You Need To Know Pest Awareness

Pest Identification and Pest Fact Awareness

You should recognise the common enemies turning up at your home. These includes how they look like in their different stages, how they enter and what species type in particular. Firstly, accurate pest identification can help understand the type of pests attacking your home. This helps in the recommendation of relevant pest control solution to resolve the problem. Secondly, it allows you to understand what activities cause the pest to invade in your home. For example, poor housekeeping, presence of specific food source or due to cross infestation. Thirdly, it helps to adopt more accurate and effective pest prevention remedies to address the targeted problem. For instance, reducing the humidity of the home or removing infested logs and mulch.

Finally, it helps to deliver more effective pest management efforts. Also, it reduces recurring pest infestation while limiting additional investment and effort spent on pest eradication. In summary, enriched awareness on pest identification helps to prevent a pest problem from taking place and regular pest detection helps to keep infestation level under control. Unsure which pest is bugging you? Try the Rentokil Initial Pest ID service here.

Understanding facts about pests

Start to enrich yourself with some critical pest facts including the following:

Pest habitat: Where do they live and hide, i.e. rats dig burrows to hide underground whereas cockroaches favour damp and dark conditions such as sewers and grease traps
Food they feed on: Ants enjoy the sweet and greasy meals found in the kitchen however termites rely on wood and cellulose for survival
What attracts pests: Pests require not just food source and shelter but only also water. This include conditions such as clutters and dark or cozy corners and moisture filled environment
Scent that pests resents: There are smells that deter pests due to its strong and pungent manner or confusing their sense of navigation including vinegar, cinnamon and garlic
Life cycle of pests: This include understanding and eradicating different life stages of pests such as larvae, pupae and adult and ensuring pest treatments cover their entire cycle
Pests movement and reproduction: We should pay attention to their speed of traveling from place to place and their reproduction volume in order to take quick pest control action

Call Rentokil Singapore at (65) 6347 8138 for pest control services today.