That Bites: A Guide to Arkansas’ 4 Most Common Bug Bites

Common Bug Bites

As the weather warms up, Arkansans across the Natural State will spend more time outside. When those temperatures rise, we aren’t the only ones who become more active outside. Bugs also begin to pop up at our outdoor cookouts and evenings relaxing on the deck. Bug spray and citronella candles can help keep the bugs at bay, but what happens when one makes a meal out of your leg or arm?

If a mysterious bump shows up on your body, you might not be sure what caused it. Our Clark Exterminating team put together a list of four of the most common bites that we see around The Natural State.

 

1. Mosquito – These familiar flying pests seem to show up to a patio party even though they’re never invited. The red bumps that mosquitoes leave on your skin are pretty much a spring and summer staple around Arkansas, but what can we do to treat them? There are many over-the-counter remedies to keep those pesky bites from itching. There are also many home remedies to treat that itching. Anything from vinegar to toothpaste has been suggested to cure the itch of a mosquito bite.\

2. Brown Recluse Spider – Our exterminating team members see lots of brown recluse spiders while out on the job. Once a client sees one of these at their house, they want them out and we don’t blame them! If a brown recluse spider bites you, seek medical attention immediately. You may not realize you’ve been bitten right away though. It can take a few hours before developing symptoms from the bite. If you’re not sure if your bite is from a brown recluse, the first sign is redness on your skin, then a blister will form where the spider bit you. Then, an open sore can form, and… well, it only gets worse from there. Believe us, you don’t want to get bitten by one of these guys.

3. Chigger – If you’ve ever taken a walk through tall grass in the woods in the spring or summer, you’ve likely encountered chiggers. After one of these outdoor excursions, you’ll likely return home with lots of mysterious red bumps around your collar or your sock line. Chiggers, or Trombicula alfreddugesi, are found in hot and humid areas in grassy areas, forests, and near bodies of water. Most chigger bites occur near your ankles, groin, behind your knees and armpits. When you get a chigger bite, it’s recommended that you shower immediately and use over-the-counter remedies for your itches, such as hydrocortisone or calamine lotion.

4. Ticks – After a trip to Pinnacle Mountain on a nice spring day, you might come home with a hitchhiker or two that you didn’t remember picking up. No, we don’t mean a literal hitchhiker. We’re talking about teeny, tiny ticks that may have attached to you or your pets. Ticks are not only a nuisance, but they can be dangerous. Ticks can carry Lyme disease, which can be deadly if it’s left untreated. Once a tick bites you, usually in a warm area like your armpits or hair, it attaches itself to your body. A lot of tick bites can go unnoticed, but if you’re allergic to tick bites, pain or swelling at the site can occur, along with blisters or a burning sensation. If you develop headaches, nausea, weakness, or fever after your tick bite, seek medical attention immediately.

If you’re starting to see these unwelcome pests around your home, give Clark Exterminating a call today for a quote for your home.

Little Rock: 501-228-0322
North Little Rock: 501-758-0322
Conway: 501-329-0396
Benton: 501-776-1388
Bryant: 501-847-1388
Jacksonville/Cabot: 501-843-1322
Hot Springs: 501-623-2335

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