Love them or hate them, bugs are an everyday part of life. Whether a common house fly drifts in through an open window or you’re calling the exterminator for the second time this week, there is no avoiding them. However, some bugs and spiders should be avoided altogether, and these eight definitely fall into that category.
Not all bugs bite, but the ones that do can cause everything from minor itching to life-threatening diseases. Worst of all, you may not even realize you’ve been stung or bitten until it’s too late. But if you ever see any of these bumps, marks or bites on your skin, you may be in trouble, or at least in need of a citronella candle. Here are eight bugs, their bites, and what you should know about their effects.
Black Widow Spiders
Perhaps one of the most famous eight-legged biters, the Black Widow is considered to be the most venomous spider in North America. However getting bit by a black widow doesn’t mean you should panic. If their characteristic two-pronged bite shows up on your skin, know that these bites rarely cause serious symptoms, though medical treatment is still advised. Symptoms of Black Widow venom include muscle pain, spasms, and swelling. Wash the affected area with soap and water to avoid infection.
Brown Recluse Spiders
The only good thing about a bite from a brown recluse spider is that they’re rare. Found in attics and closets, these spiders often bite painlessly and can lead to necrosis of the skin in the affected area. It can take up to eight hours for initial symptoms to show, but a distinctive red bull’s eye around the bite is a tell-tale sign to head to the hospital. Brown recluse venom has no known antidote, so you’ll have to go to a doctor for antibiotics. However, in extreme cases, you may even require surgery to treat this spider’s kiss.
Puss Caterpillars
The puss caterpillar (also known as a flannel moth, or an asp) are supposedly named for their striking resemblance to a friendly house cat, is definitely not a critter one would want to cuddle. While soft and furry looking on the outside, these fuzzy caterpillars have toxic spines hidden under their outer coat of fur. Those in North Carolina, Florida, and the southern regions of the U.S. should be on the lookout for the grid-like pattern of pain left by the puss caterpillar. It shouldn’t be too hard to miss the severe discomfort, which can radiate up your limbs for up to 12 hours when this cute little bug says hello.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are commonly characterized as nothing more than a nuisance. Sure, their stings may end up being minor in comparison to other bugs we’ve discussed (only causing an itchy, red, lump at the affected area) but these bugs can do far more than just bite. These annoying blood-suckers can transmit a number of serious and life-threatening diseases, such as West Nile Virus and the Zika virus, to its unsuspecting victims. Mostly found during the summer months, it would be wise to keep your bug spray handy, just in case these small nuisances lead to bigger problems.
Fire Ants
These spicy fellas may be small, but they certainly pack a punch. Commonly mistaken with the less painful red ants, the fire ant latches its pincers onto its victim and stings from its abdomen, leaving behind red lesions that soon develop into painful pus-filled welts. Given the fire ant’s aggressive nature and its ability to sting multiple times, these little bugs can do far worse than ruin your picnic. Those with allergies to the ant’s venom should immediately seek medical attention if they end up getting swarmed.
Bed Bugs
Despite their name, the bed bug can be a problem for you long before you head to sleep. These tiny insects can hide in everything from luggage to pets, and infect a home or hotel room in no time at all. Their itchy red bites can take up to a week to appear on your skin, but thankfully, they are mostly harmless. A call to the exterminator and a trip to the mattress store are your best bet for getting rid of these pests, and perhaps a bottle of calamine lotion to help soothe the inflamed, itchy, irritated areas.
Ticks
One of the more disturbing bugs on our list, the tick will literally make your skin crawl as they burrow their heads into you. You’ll need a pair of fine-tipped tweezers to pull these suckers out of your skin, though it may be best to have a doctor assist the extraction. And outdoorsy-types be forewarned, while not all ticks carry disease, some may leave you with potentially fatal diseases such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. A large red bull’s eye shaped rash is a telltale sign of Lyme disease, and immediate medical attention should be sought out.
Bees and Wasps
Unless you’re allergic, a sting from a bee is little to worry about, save for the itching and pain caused by the wound. Simply remove the stinger, clean and apply ice. An over-the-counter antihistamine and pain reliever should take care of the rest. However, the bee’s naughty cousin the yellow jacket and its big brothers the hornet and wasp can sting multiple times if provoked as well as cause an allergic reaction in those who are susceptible. Be sure to keep an epinephrine auto-injector on hand if you’re allergic; and whatever you do, don’t try to swat at these pesky pollinators.
So there are eight more reasons to stay inside and keep the windows shut. While most of these bugs and arachnids are harmless, they can cause major health complications in certain situations. So be aware next time you venture outside, and don’t forget the bug spray.
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Sources: [National Geographic, WebMD, WebMD]
