Itching during winter12/8/2023 Below are the more common sources worthy of consideration. Irritations of unknown origin may be from arthropods (insects or mites) or a multitude of other factors which have nothing to do with pests. With mystery bites, the list of potential irritants is extensive. The most useful tactic for these cases is knowing where and what to look for. 3: ‘Bug bites’ are difficult to diagnose, even by physicians. The appearance of bites or welts on the body can also provide clues, although ‘bug bites’ are difficult to diagnose, even by physicians.įig. Industrial hygienists may use suction devices for collecting fibers and air-borne contaminants, but vacuuming by householders seldom reveals biting pests and samples are tedious to sort through and process. Neither does collecting samples from carpet and floors with a vacuum. Unfortunately, this seldom reveals the cause of a mystery bite problem. Persons complaining of invisible mites or insects crawling over their skin are sometimes advised to place strips of clear cellophane tape over the affected area while the sensations are occurring. 2: Glue traps can help to reveal pests capable of causing irritation. Although such traps are not always reliable, they are another potential tool that could help determine if biting pests are present.įig. Another method of capture is to install several glue traps at locations where bites have been reported. Ideally, specimens should be placed in non-crushable containers instead of in envelopes or under tape. Those that are small will require magnification to see clearly. If they are not, customers may still want to know about other factors that may be causing the discomfort.ĭuring the investigation, various specimens could require identification. Inspections should initially seek to determine if biting pests are involved. The list of potential irritants is long and many fall outside the realm of pest control. Mystery bite investigations differ from most other pest inspections because the ‘culprit’ is unknown. are several people affected or just a few? Where are incidents being reported? Is there an association between the onset of symptoms and certain maintenance activities, such as the installation of new carpet, or work on the heating and cooling system? Have there been birds, bats, rodents, or other animals that could possibly be harboring parasites? Such questions can yield important clues worthy of further investigation. It’s also important to consider the pattern of bites within the building – e.g. With a few notable exceptions (e.g., bed bugs, certain types of mites), most pests that bite humans are likely to be seen as the irritation is felt. One of the most important questions to ask is if anyone has actually seen or captured any bugs as the irritation is occurring. A questionnaire (see the bottom of this page for the questionnaire, or view this downloadable PDF version) can be helpful for gathering facts that may solve the mystery. In commercial settings such as an office building, this may involve talking with management as well as affected employees. To conduct a careful investigation, it is useful to interview the client before inspecting the premises. Additional (unnecessary) treatments may be requested thereafter whenever someone complains of an itch. Treating without a known target pest can mislead the client into thinking that spraying will fix the problem, which it seldom does. A thorough investigation is more likely to yield a solution. A good rule of thumb in such cases is that no pesticide should be applied unless biting pests or clear evidence of them are discovered or strongly suspected. Investigations should be thoughtful and systematic, ruling out likely possibilities through the process of elimination. The cause of perceived ‘bug-bites’ is often far from obvious. The following information is intended to help those who believe they have a biting pest problem where the source of irritation has not been identified. If no pests are found, the customer may need to see a dermatologist or other allied professional. Pest management professionals can usually provide relief if insects or mites are the culprit. It is important to realize that there are many causes of bite-like reactions - some of which are related to pests, and others that are not. Unless the underlying cause is discovered, the discomfort will likely continue. Unfortunately, pesticides might not be the answer. Even when no bugs are apparent, the annoyance can be enough to trigger a call to an exterminator. The irritation might be accompanied by welts, rash, itching, or perhaps the feeling that something is crawling over the skin. Nearly everyone experiences what seem like bug bites from time to time. University of Kentucky College of Agriculture ENTFACT-649 - MYSTERY BITES: Insect and Non-Insect Causes | Download PDF by Michael F.
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