Midge - description, danger to humans, bites, how to treat     

The little midge is vile. Description of insects, habitat, characteristics of species, danger to humans. Can a midge bite? Why are blood-sucking bites dangerous? What actions need to be taken after a midge attack. How to prevent the development of serious consequences. Tips and tricks.

If you are planning to go to the forest to pick mushrooms, berries, or hunt, you need to be prepared for anything. You may have to spend the night in the forest, or you may meet a forest predator. In addition, there is a risk of being bitten by midges.

Below we will tell you what types of midges can attack you, what dangers can warn you when bitten, how to provide first aid and protect yourself with folk remedies and chemicals.

What is gnus

The midge is a small insect whose characteristics include the ability to mass attack a person or animal to consume blood. This species includes insects such as:

• mosquitoes;
• midges;
• horseflies;
• biting midges;
• mosquitoes.

In addition, the vile complex includes blood-sucking flies - tsetse, autumn flies. The presented species of parasites are found in different regions, regardless of climate - tundra, desert, temperate and tropical forests. In the photo you can see what they look like.

The maximum number of aggressive midges is concentrated in Siberia and Karelia. It is in these regions that the reason for the extinction of farm livestock (in the number of many thousands) and the cessation of logging-type enterprises lies in small blood-sucking insects.

What does a midge look like: photo

In the form of a cloud, the midges look like a swarm without a specific organization, which, changing shape, seems to roll in the air. Looking at how the midges look in the photo, especially in the taiga regions, sometimes it becomes creepy, but the number, persistence and voraciousness of insects in different areas can vary greatly, as well as the species diversity of pests that may be part of the midges.

Mosquito

The mosquito is one of the most common insects, which are classified as blood-sucking insects. Their number is more than 3 thousand species. The favorite places of mosquitoes are places characterized by high levels of humidity, as well as areas where there are stagnant bodies of water.

Such conditions are perfect for female mosquitoes to lay eggs, as well as for the full and unhindered development of their offspring.

Mosquito activity begins in May and lasts until September-October. Since the larvae of these pests are able to tolerate winter cold well, they can easily continue to actively develop and reproduce with the onset of spring.

Male mosquitoes eat plant foods, but females cannot reproduce without blood. Note that this type of insect is a carrier of dangerous infections, including yellow fever and malaria.

Prevention of bites

• Midges, like all insects, do not like rich odors. You can apply strong odors such as perfumes, antiperspirants, etc. around or directly on yourself.
• Midges are attracted to shiny and white things, so when traveling out of town to a pond, or into nature, it is better to avoid shiny fabrics and jewelry.
• It is also worth choosing carefully not only the color of the fabrics, but also the fabric itself. Experts recommend giving preference to natural fabrics such as cotton and linen during the period of blood-sucking activity.
• If you go out into nature, try to cover all parts of your body as much as possible: arms, legs, this will allow you to make sure that you are not bitten.
• Try to avoid grassy areas, especially near water bodies.
• It is also known that midges are especially active in the first half of the day and in hot weather. Therefore, plan your outings taking this data into account.
• If you nevertheless decide to relax on the shore of a pond on a hot day, it is recommended to use specialized repellents that repel insects (it is important to remember that some can only be applied to clothing).
• As you know, food smells attract not only hungry children and adults, but also harmful insects, which can pose a threat. So another recommendation would be to close the food in a special container that prevents attractive odors from spreading. Or even minimize eating in places where insects gather.
• In order to protect your home from midges, you need to use mosquito nets and air circulation devices.
• In the local area, the use of special spirals and lanterns will help get rid of insects.

In order for your favorite time of year to bring only positive emotions, you need to take a responsible approach to preparing for this period.

After all, when relaxing near bodies of water, in the forest, or even near the house, we are exposed to attacks by various insects.

But knowing how to protect yourself and your loved ones from unpleasant consequences, you can have fun during your holidays, holidays and active weekends. And if you do get bitten by midges, now you know what you need to do to ensure that it remains only a small nuisance and does not cause you much trouble.

Midge

The midge is a small midge, characterized by high numbers. The taiga region alone has more than 1.9 thousand species of midges. Midges develop within an aquatic environment, which is why they are not found in dry, desert areas.

Most often, midges accumulate near open bodies of water, swampy meadows, and forests. It is almost impossible to find midges in well-ventilated areas and dry climates.

In appearance, the midge is a small parasite whose body length does not exceed four to five millimeters. Females eat human or animal blood.

When bitten, the skin is gnawed, which causes the person to experience rather unpleasant painful sensations and swelling may occur. Swelling as a result of a bite can be observed for several days. Moreover, bites are often accompanied by an allergic reaction.

The blood-sucking pest can act as a carrier of diseases that lead to death - plague, anthrax, tularemia.

Symptoms of a midge bite

The first thing a person who has been bitten by a midge feels is that the bite site begins to itch . Along with this, a burning sensation begins. After 10-30 minutes, the bite site swells, turning into a large red spot.

If the body reacts strongly to toxins and poisons, an allergic reaction may begin with the symptoms listed above.

The best advice is not to scratch the bite area . And it’s quite easy for adults to do this. But children cannot control themselves, therefore, if a child is bitten by midges, it is the parents who must ensure that the bite site is untouchable. It’s even better to use one of the ways to relieve itching, which we’ll talk about below.

Horseflies

Today, more than 5 thousand species of blood-sucking parasites such as horse flies are known, and 500 are found in Russia. For habitat they choose fresh water bodies, forests, and fields. Most often, they accumulate in large quantities in places where cattle graze.

The most common types of horseflies are parasites such as lacewings, rainflies, and bullflies.

In appearance, the horsefly resembles a large fly. The bite is carried out through a proboscis, with which the parasite pierces the skin of people or warm-blooded animals, while it injects a substance that stops blood clotting.

As a result, the wound after the bite is accompanied by prolonged pain and bleeding. Severe swelling, redness, and burning are also observed.

Blood-sucking dipterous insects. Characteristics and control measures

Gnus is the general name for blood-sucking insects: horse flies, mosquitoes, midges, biting midges and mosquitoes. About 800 species of midges are common in Russia.

The gnus has a dual nature of nutrition. To maintain the life of the imago, plant juices are sufficient, which are the only food for males and the main food for females. For the maturation of eggs in the ovaries, females need blood as protein food (gonotrophic harmony). Therefore, only females attack animals and people, who suck blood immediately after fertilization, and then after each oviposition. The midges are characterized by heterotropism - the existence of different phases in biotopes of different types: eggs, larvae and pupae live in water or a moist substrate, and adults live in the air.

Horseflies

Horseflies (family Tabanidae) are the largest blood-sucking insects, numerous in the taiga, forest and forest-steppe zones. More than 180 species of horseflies have been registered in Russia, belonging to 12 genera: Pangonius, Nanorhynchus, Heptatoma, Tabanus, Hybomitra, Atylotus, Phillipomya, Dasyrhamphis, Therioplectus, Chrysops, Haematopota, Silvius. The genera that are richest in species are Tabanus, Atylotus, Hybomitra (horseflies themselves), Haematopota (rain flies), Chrysops (pied flies, or lacewings).

Morphology. Body length 6-30 mm. Color depending on the species: yellow, brown, black. The head is large, wider than the chest, with large compound eyes on the sides. On the crown of some species there are 3 simple ocelli. The antennae are short, 3-segmented. The proboscis is of a piercing-sucking type. The chest is massive, wide, with a large triangular shield, densely covered with thin hairs, the wings are wide. Legs with three suckers. The abdomen is wide, flattened in the dorsoventral direction.

Developmental biology. The optimal temperature for horsefly flight is 19-30 °C. In mid-latitudes, adult horseflies appear at the end of May and remain until the end of August. As they move north, the flight of horseflies shifts to later dates. The total flight duration in the middle zone is 90 days, in the north - 30, in the south - up to 120 days. Mating occurs in the air, after which the female attacks the animals and sucks blood. 3-4 days after bloodsucking, the eggs mature and the females begin to lay them on plants near water, up to 1 thousand pieces. Females usually lay eggs 5-6 times throughout their life (from 1 to 2 months). After 4-9 days, the eggs hatch into larvae, which, falling into water or moist soil, lead a predatory lifestyle, molt several times, grow, reaching 2-5 cm in length by the end of summer. The larvae overwinter in the soil at a depth of 5-10 cm. In the spring they crawl to drier places, pupate in the soil, and after 1-3 weeks adult insects emerge from the pupae. The entire development cycle of horse flies takes 1-3 years.

Veterinary significance . Thanks to their keen vision and sense of smell, horseflies quickly find animals. Their injections are very painful, and the female makes up to 20 blood sucking attempts in a short time. In the middle zone, on a summer day at a temperature of 19-20 °C at noon, up to 300 individuals can attack one animal in 10 minutes. horseflies. In the north, with 24-hour lighting, horseflies attack deer en masse within 20-24 hours. Animals lose fat, and cows' milk yield decreases by 15-20%. Horseflies are carriers of anthrax, tularemia, deer necrobacteriosis, INAN virus, trypanosomiasis, anaplasmosis and some filariae.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes belong to the family Culicidae. It includes 2.5 thousand species and 3 subfamilies, of which Anophelinae and Culicinae cause the greatest damage to livestock. In Russia there are 82 species of mosquitoes, about half belong to the genus Aedes, 20 to the genus Culex, 8 to the genus Culiseta, 9 to the genus Anopheles.

Less representative are the genera Mansonia, Uranotaenia, and Orthopodomyia.

Morphology . Mosquitoes are insects with a thin body, 4-11 mm long. Body color is yellow, gray or brown. The eyes are compound. The antennas consist of 15 segments. The mouthparts are piercing-sucking type. The chest is wider than the abdomen. The legs are long, the paws end in a pair of claws. The abdomen is elongated, consists of 10 segments

Developmental biology. On quiet evenings, males swarm in the air in swarms, emitting a buzzing sound. The females fly into the swarm and carry the males with them. Copulation occurs on the fly, after which the females develop a need for blood sucking. Having sucked blood, after some time they lay eggs (120-400 eggs at a time) on water in stagnant bodies of water or in moist soil. After 2-8 days, a larva forms in the egg, which molts 4 times and turns into a pupa, from which an adult then emerges.

The larvae feed on organic debris and breathe atmospheric air supplied by non-malarial mosquitoes through a stigma located at the end of the respiratory tube (siphon). At the same time, at the surface of the water they are in a vertical position upside down. In malaria mosquitoes, the stigma is located on the dorsal surface of the 8th segment, so they are located horizontally at the surface. Mosquitoes live 1-2 months. During this period, the female undergoes one or several gonotrophic cycles. Mosquitoes are crepuscular bloodsuckers; their activity lasts 4-5 hours.

Veterinary significance. In the forest zone of central Russia in June, in 5 minutes there are up to 1.5 thousand mosquitoes on one horse, up to 600 on a cow, up to 200 on a calf. During the intense summer of mosquitoes, the milk yield of cows decreases by 20-30%, and increase in live weight in young animals - by 20-40%.

By sucking blood, mosquitoes lead to anemia and exhaustion in animals. The skin in areas of massive bites swells and dermatitis develops. Mosquitoes are carriers of pathogens of tularemia, encephalitis, many arbovirus infections, malaria and some filariae.

Midges

The family Simuliidae includes more than 900 species. 322 species and 43 varieties of midges have been registered in Russia. Often, among dozens of species common in any area, only 1-3 species are blood-sucking. Midges are one of the most important components of midges in forest and taiga areas, especially near large rivers.

Morphology. Midges are small (2-6 mm) insects of gray, black or dark blue color. Their head is bent to the lower surface of the chest. The proboscis is of a piercing-sucking type. The eyes are faceted, the antennae consist of 11 segments. The chest is humpbacked and slightly hairy. The wings are wide, oval, transparent, without cross veins. The legs are short, the tarsus ends in a pair of claws. The abdomen is sac-like and can stretch greatly when eating.

Developmental Biology . The exit areas for midges are fast-flowing rivers, streams, drainage canals. They lay their eggs on stones, leaves and branches of plants wetted with water, or drop them into the water during flight. After 4-5 days, a worm-shaped larva emerges from the egg and attaches itself to various objects in the water using the adhesive secretion of the arachnoid glands. The larvae, having gone through 3 stages of development, turn into a pupa in 15-20 days. The adult insect emerges from the pupae in water. Surrounded by an air bubble, the midge rises to the surface of the watercourse and takes off. The development time of midges can vary from several days at high air temperatures to several weeks at low temperatures. Shortly after emergence, during swarming, females mate with males.

Midges feed on plant nectar, but the females of many species feed on blood. They attack animals mainly in the morning and evening. Midges produce 1-3 generations per year and overwinter in the egg and larval phase.

Veterinary significance. Midges are massive bloodsuckers. At one time, the female is able to drink 1-3 mg of blood. Midge bites are very painful; saliva contains hemolytic poison, causing intoxication of the body (simuliotoxicosis) . Mechanically they transmit the causative agents of tularemia, anthrax, encephalitis, and biologically - the causative agents of onchocerciasis in cattle and trypanosomiasis in birds.

Mokretsy

Distributed in almost all zones of Russia. Midlings (family Ceratopogonidae) are most numerous in Siberia and the Far East. Representatives of the genera Culicoides, Leptoconops, and Lasiohelea are more common.

Morphology. Externally, biting midges are similar to mosquitoes, but are smaller in size (1-2.5 mm). The head is rounded, tilted down, and bears a pair of 15-segmented antennae. The compound eyes are large and bean-shaped. The proboscis is massive, piercing-sucking type. The chest is convex. The wings are wide, hairy, folded over the abdomen at rest; in midling midges of the genus Culicoides they have spots. The legs are long, without pulvillas, with claws on the paws. The abdomen is ovoid, of 10 segments.

Developmental biology. Breeding sites for midges are shallow areas of rivers, lakes, swamps, tree hollows, and damp forest litter. After 3-6 days, larvae emerge from the eggs, and after 2-3 weeks they turn into pupae. The pupal phase lasts 3-7 days. Up to 5 generations of biting midges can develop during the year. They overwinter in the egg and larval stages.

Veterinary significance. Midges are massive bloodsuckers of animals and humans. Their bites cause anxiety in animals, itching, inflammation of the skin, and swelling of the subcutaneous tissue. Saliva

causes symptoms of general toxicosis. Midges are intermediate hosts of equine onchocerciasis pathogens, as well as mechanical carriers of a number of infectious agents.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes belong to the family Psychodidae, subfamily Phlebotonidae. There are about 300 species of mosquitoes in the world fauna.

Morphology . The body is 1.5-3 mm long, abundantly covered with yellow-brown hairs. The head is small, with a pair of compound eyes, in front of which there are long antennae consisting of 16 segments. The mouthparts are piercing-sucking type. The chest is humpbacked on top. The wings are wide, hairy, and at rest raised at an angle of 40°. The legs are long, thin paws end in a pair of claws. The abdomen is elongated and consists of 7 segments.

Developmental Biology . After bloodsucking, females lay eggs in rodent burrows or in damp organic waste. At 26 °C, the egg develops in 7 days, the larvae in 28-35 days, and the pupae in 12 days. Mosquitoes overwinter in the 4th instar larval phase. Adults appear in April–May and disappear in September–October. Mosquitoes produce 1-3 generations per season. These are crepuscular insects. At the sites of insect bites, animals develop itchy skin and develop dermatitis. Horses, dogs, birds and humans are the most susceptible to their bites. Mosquitoes are biological carriers of leishmaniasis pathogens in animals and humans.

Measures to combat midges

When organizing the fight against blood-sucking insects in animal husbandry, general economic measures are envisaged, measures to limit and eliminate their breeding sites, extermination of larvae and winged insects, as well as special measures aimed at group and individual protection of different types of animals from midges.

General economic measures include the location of livestock farms, summer camps, and pens used for animal recreation, away from swamps, swampy forests and shrubs on elevated, dry, well-wind-blown areas. For grazing animals, it is necessary to use the time of least insect activity. When the number of horseflies is high, animals are grazed at night, morning and evening hours. If mosquitoes, biting midges and midges dominate, animals are grazed day and night. During periods of high midge activity, animals are kept indoors or under specially equipped shady canopies. In open pens and in parking lots during rest, smoke fires are used to protect animals.

Limitation of places you are the fruit of a. Wetlands are being reclaimed, pastures are being developed, and hydraulic structures are being built that change and regulate the regime of flowing water bodies.

Hydraulic engineering measures (construction of dams, reservoirs) prevent, as a rule, the development and breeding of midges in flowing water bodies. However, in this case, it is necessary to provide such a water level in reservoirs so as not to create shallow and wetlands that are favorable for the breeding of other families of blood-sucking insects.

In conditions of irrigated agriculture, as well as during land reclamation, the canal system and other irrigation structures must be maintained in good condition and the discharge of water into areas not used for crops must be prevented.

The most radical means of preventing the breeding of mosquitoes is the plowing of desert and semi-desert virgin lands, replete with rodent burrows, which is carried out taking into account agricultural expediency.

To exterminate mosquito larvae, ground and aerial treatments of water bodies with insecticides are used. Activities related to the treatment of reservoirs are coordinated with the SES. The population is informed about processing times and precautions through the press and television.

Of the large number of drugs recommended for the control of mosquito larvae, the most widely used are abate (diphos), bytex, DDVP, dibrom, dursban, karbofos, metathion, trichlorometaphos-3, which are used according to the current instructions. The biological product bactoculicide is effective, as well as analogues of juvenile hormones (altoside, dimilin, etc.). It must be remembered that the costs are recouped only if there are biotopes of no more than 15-20% of the total pasture area.

The effectiveness of the measures is assessed as follows. If 24 hours after treatment 100% mortality of larvae has not been achieved, it is necessary to re-examine after 48-12 hours. In the future, to determine the duration of the effect, water bodies are examined once every 5-7 days until the population is restored. The presence of larvae of the 2nd - 4th stages of mosquitoes after 24-72 hours when examining treated reservoirs indicates poor-quality treatment.

To combat midge larvae, sluicing of rivers, drainage canals and other flowing bodies of water is of great importance. At the same time, the water level rises, its turbidity increases and oxygen saturation decreases, which leads to mass death of midge larvae and pupae. Liberation from larvae and pupae is also facilitated by the subsequent discharge of accumulated water.

The preimaginal stages of other components of the midges are not fought due to their biological characteristics.

For the massive systematic extermination of horseflies on cultivated pastures in the forest zone, various types of attractive traps with insecticides are used, in quantities of 15-25 pieces. Depending on the terrain conditions and size, pastures are placed along wind-protected edges and forest clearings where a high number of insects is observed. The most effective and convenient for this purpose are spherical traps with an attractive black leatherette ball with a diameter of 60 cm and a transparent cone-shaped catching canopy made of polyethylene film, at the top of which a porous material impregnated with an insecticide is placed. As insecticides, 2-2.5% emulsions of propoxur or its mixtures with metathione in a 1:1 ratio are used. The material is impregnated every 3-4 weeks. One trap with a high number of insects can destroy more than 10 thousand female horseflies during the day.

The immediate destruction of mosquitoes, midges and biting midges in limited areas is achieved by smoke from various types of insecticide bombs. For short-term protection of animals on vacation, they are smoked directly in the pen together with the surrounding area with a radius of 50-100 m downwind or sprayed on the windward side with a 0.2% emulsion of DDVF or dibrom at the rate of 150-200 l (300-400 g DV ) per 1-1.5 ha or 1% diphos emulsion - 200 l/ha. Fine-droplet spraying is carried out from hydraulic consoles or disinfection machines with sprayers and hoses attached to long poles.

In order to prevent the entry of insects and longer-term protection of animals in parking lots, the surrounding area within a radius of 50 m or more is sprayed with 0.2% emulsions of propoxur, 0.5-1% emulsions of abata, karbofos, metathion and bytex at the rate of 30- 50 ml/m2 surface.

To protect against the midges of cattle, the skin and hair of animals is systematically treated with repellents - oxamate and TGN or insecticides - DDVF, dibrom, permethrin, K-otrin and butox. Oxamate is used in the form of a 3% aqueous emulsion by large-droplet spraying at the rate of 0.5-1.0 liters per calf and 1.5-2 liters per adult animal; using the method of low-volume fine-drop spraying or aerosol treatment with a 20% emulsion at the rate of 50 ml per calf and 100 ml per adult animal. TGN is used in the form of a 10% solution in a dose of 1-2 liters per head.

Large droplet spraying is carried out using DUK, LSD, VDM, ShGR and other mechanisms when animals pass through the split. For low-volume spraying, the Olen sprayer, VDM, aerosol nozzles PVAN, TAN, SAG, DAG, etc. are used. Insecticides DDVF and dibrom are used for spraying in the form of 0.5% aqueous emulsions, permethrin - 0.1% emulsion K -otrin and butox - 0.0025% emulsions with consumption rates of 500-700 ml per animal. Aerosols obtained from 1-2% oil solutions or DDVF emulsions are also used, with consumption rates of 25-50 ml per head.

During intensive flight of mosquitoes, animals are treated with insecticides and repellents in the evening after milking, and during the period of mass flight of horseflies - in the morning. Pyrethroid ear tags are also effective.

To protect horses from midges in hot sunny weather during the period of mass flight of horseflies, they are kept under shady canopies in the stables. Working horses are sprayed with a 20% emulsion or treated with oxamate aerosols at a rate of 50-100 ml per animal. The neck, dewlap, lower abdomen and inner thighs are treated especially carefully. Special tape blankets soaked in a 10% oxamate emulsion are also used, which are put on a harnessed horse. Smoke fires are used on pastures in the morning and evening. To instantly reduce the high number of insects near the herd, insecticidal smoke from bombs with pyrethroids is released.

To protect reindeer from midges, oxamate in the form of a 3% aqueous emulsion at a rate of 150-200 ml per animal is effective. During the period of mass flight of horse flies and gadflies, deer are treated with insecticides: 0.25% emulsions of DDVP or dibrom, as well as pyrethroids: permethrin, K-otrin and butox. The treatment is carried out on a tandem of "Sever" and "Olen" sprayers, equipped with two hoses, 20 m long each, with wormless fine-droplet sprayers. The sprayer is installed a few meters from the herd, the ends of the hoses with sprayers are tied to poles (trokes) and, holding them at a certain height, the finely sprayed emulsion is directed at the deer downwind. During the period of mass flight of insects, 2-3 sprayings are carried out per day.

Transport deer are sprayed with 20% oxamate emulsions at a rate of 50-100 ml per deer or treated with aerosol cans.

Insects may develop resistance to insecticides, that is, the insensitivity of insects to poisons of obviously lethal concentrations developed during the selection process. Resistant individuals develop biochemical mechanisms to neutralize the poison or an instinct to avoid the treated surface.

In resistant individuals, the activity of enzymes—broad-spectrum oxidases that enhance the catalysis of poisons (COS, carbamates and pyrethroids)—significantly increases; hydrolases and esterases that provide hydrolysis of poisons (FOS, analogues of juvenile hormones), etc. In addition, they have insensitivity of nerve endings due to changes in the functioning of the sodium pump and the structure of cholinesterase (FOS, carbamates, pyrethroids).

Resistance can be primary (species) and secondary, or physiological (the result of selection). Secondary (physiological) resistance can be specific (mono- and multiresistance) and nonspecific (cross and non-cross). Cross resistance usually occurs as a result of selection by a precursor insecticide, non-cross resistance is the result of selection by a non-insecticide (cold or other environmental factor).

Resistance can also be behavioral. It is produced primarily in response to pyrethroids and manifests itself as knockdown resistance and avoidance of treated surfaces.

Knowledge of the forms and mechanisms of resistance is necessary for the correct sequence of replacement of insecticides to which it arose.

Mokretsy

Midges are small mosquitoes, their length reaches no more than 1-4 millimeters. In total, there are approximately 4 thousand species of biting midges, 500 of them live in Russia.

The female lays eggs and offspring on top of leaves and stems that grow from moist soil, sand, in forests, and near the shores of reservoirs (both fresh and salt). Both sexes of insects consume the blood of humans, a warm-blooded animal, as food.

When bitten, a substance with toxic components is injected, which causes the victim to experience severe allergies, pain, itching, and burning.

Tsetse fly

They know firsthand what vileness is in Africa. The country is home to many species of blood-sucking insects, including tsetse. The creature, measuring from 10 to 15 millimeters, suffers from a fatal disease - sleeping sickness. In 1990, 34,000 people died because of it.

The insect is common in equatorial and subequatorial Africa. Found in large river valleys and tropical rainforests. It attacks moving objects that emit heat and can even attack cars. For some reason the fly doesn't bother the zebras.

Tsetse can be recognized by its long and hard proboscis at the bottom of its head and the characteristic folding of its wings on top of each other. From the front of the fly's head extend small spines that are covered with short hairs. The color of the insect is brown-gray, the abdomen is yellow above and gray below. Both males and females feed on blood.

Mosquitoes

The mosquito is another species of midge that lives in tropical and subtropical climates, but is very rarely found in temperate climates. They are small in size, approximately 3-4 millimeters in length. They are characterized by slow movement and fly silently. Activation takes place at night.

Male mosquitoes consume plant nectar, but females must receive blood to be able to lay eggs.

A mosquito bite is accompanied by symptoms such as burning, itching, rashes, and painful pustules appear.

Where does the vile live?

The distribution of midges covers almost the entire globe, but, as mentioned above, in different climatic zones its composition can vary dramatically. The main environment where midges live in Russia is forests and tundra. Insects especially love swampy, damp areas and areas, since most larvae require a moist environment to develop. In the south of Russia and on the Black Sea coast, where the subtropical climate zone is located, midges also exist. It may include mosquitoes, horseflies and other insects typical of these areas

Blood-sucking flies

Blood-sucking flies live in the North and other regions. In appearance they resemble an ordinary housefly, but they use animal blood as food. Among the most common varieties is the autumn fly.

The parasite's oral apparatus has a special proboscis, distinguished by the presence of sharp serrations, with the help of which skin is torn off and blood is consumed. When a fly bites, it releases poison, which poses a risk of severe allergic reactions, itching, burning, and infection.

Both males and females consume blood. They can carry such dangerous diseases as tularemia, anthrax - depending on the species. their activity is observed from September to October.

The approximate lifespan of midges depends on the species and ranges from 3 days (midge) to 12 weeks (mosquito).

Types of midges

In the central region of the Russian Federation, the most common varieties of midges are:

• Midge;
• Mosquitoes;
• Burner fly;
• Mokrets;
• Horsefly;
• Mosquito;
• Deer bloodsucker.

In each of the listed insect species, there may be several dozen more subspecies, and in total, about 800 varieties of midges can be found on the territory of our country. Despite such a wide variety of midges, all its varieties are united by the fact that such insects are a serious danger to animals and people, attacking them, feeding on their blood, and sometimes leading to death.

Consequences of a vile attack

These types of insects bite every exposed part on the body. Most often, they pay attention to the arms, legs, and face. Initially, a person will not feel any pain, since the vile saliva contains anesthetic substances.

After this, the victim experiences the following symptoms (table):

Allergic reactions to midge bites occur due to the fact that saliva contains hemolyzing substances of a protein nature. Children may experience more severe initial symptoms than adults.

This can be explained as follows: when itching occurs, children try to remove the symptom by scratching. Because of this, an unpleasant result occurs in the form of increased swelling - the wound becomes infected with pathogenic microbes, which leads to a long healing process of the skin.

Rarely, the most dangerous consequence of a midge bite may occur - anaphylactic shock. Harm also manifests itself in the risk of being harmed by a blood-sucking insect that carries a dangerous infection.

The midge was the cause of the plague epidemic no less than the rat. The risk of infection is small, but still, it exists if you consume the blood of a sick animal, and then a person.

If a midge bites a child

Midge bite in a child's eye

Children are more susceptible to various insect bites. Whether it be bites from mosquitoes, ticks or bed bugs. If a midge has bitten a child, also in the eye, then it is better to immediately contact a doctor.

If you are far from medical facilities, you can use the tips above. And the main thing to remember is that an allergic reaction in a child is observed more often than in adults , since the body is still weak and unaccustomed to various kinds of toxins and poisons.

midge bite

The bites of such insects pose a serious danger to people and animals. Their saliva contains toxic components, which, when released into the victim’s blood, provoke severe itching, burning, inflammation and redness of the skin tissue.

It is worth remembering that a bite can cause allergic reactions, which can lead to complications. In such cases, the development of Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock is possible.

Therefore, insect attacks should be taken seriously and the necessary measures should be taken to prevent complications that pose a danger not only to human health, but also to life.

Feeding midges

Considering that the midge consists of a variety of species of midges, mosquitoes and other insects, its nutrition is difficult to determine accurately and unambiguously. For example, as for mosquitoes, among these insects only females feed on blood, and they do this during the breeding season. Among other insects that make up the midges, a similar trend is observed, because they also actively feed during the breeding season. Nevertheless, some types of food of those insects that make up the midges are common to many of them, and among such food is:

• Animal excrement;
• Decaying organics;
• Young shoots and leaves;;
• Juice of various plants;
• Mold;
• Mushrooms.

Some species of midges, which are part of the midges, feed not just on blood, but also on flesh. Therefore, upon closer examination, the wounds from a midge bite appear as depressions, with ragged edges, as if the skin and flesh had been torn out by teeth.

Elimination of swelling in the eyes

There may be situations where the midge bites in the eye area. This results in swelling of the upper eyelid, but it is also possible for the swelling to spread down the entire face. In addition to swelling, a person is bothered by severe pain, it seems that there is a foreign body in the eye, and the eye is very watery.

When a person experiences these symptoms, the following measures should be taken:

• Rinse the affected area with plenty of cold water.
• Apply a cold compress.
• Take any antihistamine, for example, Suprastin, Claritin, Fenistil drops, be sure to follow the dosage.
• Use eyelid ointment.

Use the ointment with extreme caution so that the drug does not get into the eye or mucous membranes; apply a thin layer to the eyelid. You can use ointments such as Nezulin, Fenistil, Psilo-balm.

If the swelling is too severe, your doctor will likely recommend using hormonal ointments, such as hydrocortisone or prednisolone. But remember, in this case you cannot self-medicate, since you can harm yourself even more; seeing a doctor is a mandatory procedure.

When swelling is accompanied by severe pain, you can take painkillers. It is recommended to take paracetamol or ibuprofen, as they have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Remember that it is prohibited to use creams, ointments, solutions for wiping or compresses that contain alcohol or vinegar, since these substances penetrate through thin skin, which leads to irritation and aggravates the situation.

What not to do?

• You should absolutely not scratch the bite site. The more you scratch the bite site, the more itching appears and the swelling becomes greater.
• Do not wash the wound with synthetic detergents.
• Like all types of wounds, a bite should not be smeared with brilliant green and pure alcohol. If you treat a bite with brilliant green or alcohol-containing solutions, you must do this carefully and only around the open wound.
• You should not experiment with antibiotics and strong antihistamine tablets on your own.
• Apply hormonal ointments to the wound itself. Moreover, if antihistamines or antibiotics were prescribed by a doctor, such prescriptions should not be neglected under any circumstances.

Treatment of a mosquito bite

In order to prevent complications and relieve unpleasant symptoms from bites, treatment should be started immediately. Quite effective folk remedies that help reduce swelling, relieve itching, burning and pain.

To treat the affected area, you can prepare the following solutions:

• Mix ammonia and water in equal quantities.
• Take 1 glass of water and add ½ teaspoon of soda, stir thoroughly until completely dissolved.
• Take a glass of water and add ½ teaspoon each of salt and soda, stir thoroughly until completely dissolved.

These solutions should be used as follows: moisten cotton wool or a bandage in the solution, then apply to the affected area for 10-15 minutes.

To get rid of wounds, you can use calendula tincture, onion or lemon juice, mint, parsley, plantain, dandelion leaves, crushed cabbage leaves, and potato juice.

Now you can buy special ointments, creams, gels, of which there is a wide range on sale. These products have anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-edematous effects. They help relieve itching, swelling and redness.

These drugs include:

• Trimistin.
• Hydrocortisone.
• Fenistil gel.
• Psilobalm.
• Levomekol.
• Tetracycline.

When a child is attacked by midges, the affected area must be covered with a clean, sterile bandage. Since the wounds are very itchy, a child can scratch it, and this can lead to bacteria. Also, during a blood-sucking attack, it is recommended to take an antihistamine, for example, Tavegil, Suprastin, Claritin.

Remember that if you experience severe symptoms that cause discomfort or pain, be sure to consult a doctor. The specialist will give directions for the necessary tests and prescribe effective, and most importantly safe, treatment. There is always a risk of developing a severe allergic reaction.

How long will the midge last?

Adult male midges live on average for several days, adult females - from 3-4 weeks to (less often) 2-3 months.

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First aid for a tumor

In order to prevent re-infection, as well as to prevent inflammatory processes, after an attack by midges, the affected area must be treated. Antiseptic agents can eliminate severe itching.

But before you get rid of the itching, you should resort to the following actions:

• At the first stage, you should wash the wound under running water, you can use antibacterial soap.
• Redness indicates an inflammatory process; antiseptic agents should be used. This can include products that contain alcohol, calendula, or citrus juice. If the attack occurred in nature and it is not possible to use any drugs, at the first stage you can wash the wound with your own saliva.
• Swelling and puffiness must be eliminated with cold compresses and ice.
• Now there are a large number of ointments, balms, creams that can relieve swelling.
• You can also use tincture of valerian and motherwort to treat the affected areas.

If these actions do not bring results, be sure to contact a doctor who will prescribe effective treatment.

Midge - description, danger to humans, bites, how to treat

The little midge is vile. Description of insects, habitat, characteristics of species, danger to humans. Can a midge bite? Why are blood-sucking bites dangerous? What actions need to be taken after a midge attack. How to prevent the development of serious consequences. Tips and tricks.

If you are planning to go to the forest to pick mushrooms, berries, or hunt, you need to be prepared for anything. You may have to spend the night in the forest, or you may meet a forest predator. In addition, there is a risk of being bitten by midges.

Below we will tell you what types of midges can attack you, what dangers can warn you when bitten, how to provide first aid and protect yourself with folk remedies and chemicals.

How to get rid of a pest

There is no way to completely get rid of small blood suckers. These are inhabitants of wild nature who prefer areas near rivers and lakes, forests, fields, and the banks of swamps. But you can protect yourself from the attacks of these small pests.

If you are planning a trip to nature, where this blood-sucking midge most likely lives, you can use a special Antignus suit. Of course, you should use clothing that protects your body as much as possible.

This is a jacket with long sleeves and tight cuffs, a thick and tight collar, and tapered pants. To protect the head and faces, a hood and a mosquito net are used, but we all understand that such protective actions are relevant in the wild, and not in summer cottages and during outdoor recreation.

But in addition to clothing, which the midge cannot bite through, you can also use specialized products. When the holiday involves spending the night in a tent, a mosquito net is used, as well as specialized repellents. Nowadays you can buy a variety of repellents in the form of aerosols and creams.

Remember that when choosing a repellent, it is important to take into account what type of insect the drug is produced against. Also take into account age restrictions; special preparations are produced for children.

If we talk about the most popular products that have proven their effectiveness, it is worth noting Moskitol, Off, Taiga, Gardex, DEET.

Regarding folk remedies that make it possible to protect yourself from midges, one of the most effective is birch tar.

To do this, take birch tar and mix it with the same amount of sunflower oil, then use it as oil on open areas of the body. But remember that this product should be washed off with warm water 3-4 hours after application.

Methods of protection

Any vile is dangerous, there is no doubt that this is really the case, because its bites can cause a lot of inconvenience. Therefore, it is always worth using special protective equipment:

• repellent (available in the form of an aerosol, ointment or special lotion) that repels these insects well;
• a fumigant (available in aerosol or liquid form) that quickly gets rid of insects;
• special protective clothing.

If you need to treat an insect bite, you can use the following drugs:

• antihistamine type, if there is an allergy to the bite (for example, you can use suprastin);
• special for relieving the itching sensation after a bite, they can be purchased at any pharmacy.

Herbs and oils

Natural products that are also absolutely safe are very effective in combating symptoms.

Let's look at the most effective recipes that use aloe juice, plantain, basil and other natural products:

• Aloe. Aloe is very useful; if you have this medicinal plant, rest assured that it will prevent negative reactions to blood-sucking bites. You should cut the leaf and apply aloe pulp to the affected area. You can also use the juice of the plant; to do this, soak a cotton pad or a piece of bandage in it and apply it to the bite.
• Basil. We all know that this herb brings a lot of benefits to the body when used as food, but it will also save you from unpleasant symptoms, relieve inflammation, and eliminate itching and burning. To do this, take a few leaves and grind them into a paste, then apply it to the wound.
• Plantain. Everyone has been familiar with this plant since childhood; it was considered the remedy that would cure any wound. It is worth saying that plantain is truly a unique plant because it has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects, and also accelerates the healing process. You should take a leaf, grind it to a paste and apply it to the wound.
• Essential oils. In order to relieve swelling and get rid of itching, you should use lavender or tea tree essential oil. It is enough to apply a few drops to the affected area of ​​the body.

Features of bloodsucker bites

As noted above, only females can bite. They need blood to mature their eggs. Midge bites are comparable to a surgical procedure. They do not pierce the skin, but literally gnaw it out, at the same moment the insects inject an anesthetic substance, which allows a person not to experience pain until the parasites have had their fill. At the same time, the annoying bloodsucker introduces an enzyme that prevents blood clotting.

The insect's saliva contains toxic substances for the human body, as a result of which swelling and redness, burning and severe itching appear at the site of the lesion. Numerous bites can cause fever, swelling of internal organs and, in rare cases, cause death.

Midge bite in the eye

The reaction to a midge bite varies from person to person and depends on age, pain threshold, number of lesions, and tendency to allergies. Severe itching causes the desire to scratch the areas caused by midge bites. Even an adult cannot resist this, let alone children who tear apart the affected areas until blood appears. As a result, the situation is aggravated by the penetration of bacteria. Photos of a midge bite are presented below.

Types of midges

Midge is a collective name for many thousands of species of insects that look somewhat similar to ordinary flies, but are smaller in size.
Most of them are representatives of the order Diptera, but the damage they cause, their habitat, and their lifestyle patterns can differ significantly.

Typically, the term “midge” includes several types of pests:

1. Nasty . Small blood-sucking insects that swarm in the air, bite humans and pets, and drink blood. These midges, unlike mosquitoes, do not just pierce the skin, but tear off the top layer so that a tiny drop of blood appears on the surface. This is what the insect drinks. The saliva of midges contains special substances that have an analgesic and anticoagulant effect - so a person for the time being does not feel that he has been bitten. After the bite, the effect of the substances wears off and the affected area begins to itch. The cause of itching is foreign proteins that cause rejection, entering the blood along with the insect's saliva. Swarms of midges can ruin any country holiday.
2. Fruit midges . The most famous is the Drosophila, used by scientists in genetic experiments. This species of small insect is extremely prolific. If you leave slightly spoiled fruit in the trash or even on the table, a huge number of fruit flies will immediately breed there. They feed on plant juices and pose no harm to humans, but their abundance annoys their careful owner.
3. Plant pests . These small midges multiply on the above-ground parts of wild and cultivated plants, leading to damage to the marketable appearance, deterioration of the condition of the crop, up to its complete damage. The fight against such varieties is necessary if a summer resident cares about the harvest and plants that grow on his site.