Why are biting midges so annoying?

Biting midges, also known as biting flies, ceratopogonidae, or sand flies, are small flying insects known for their annoying and often painful bites.

Biting midges bite to suck blood, which is necessary for their reproduction. Their bites can be painful and cause a burning or itching sensation. This is because their saliva contains irritants. Biting midges’ bites often cause intense itching and swelling. This can lead to discomfort and even infections as a result of scratching. The immune response to the nats’ saliva is responsible for these symptoms.

Biting midges often occur in large numbers and can be very aggressive, especially in damp, marshy areas. Their small size makes them difficult to see and avoid, which is why people often suffer multiple bites at once. In some parts of the world, biting midges can transmit diseases such as bluetongue virus in cattle and Oropouche virus in humans. This makes their bites not only annoying, but also potentially dangerous.

In countries such as Norway, Sweden, Scotland, and Ireland, biting midges are particularly common. They are a pest mainly during the summer months in areas with many lakes, swamps and other wetlands. They are also common in North America, New Zealand and Australia.

Biting midges are often active during dusk and night, times when people want to be outside enjoying the cool air. This makes it difficult to do outdoor activities without being disturbed by these insects.

Source: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/vector-borne-diseases

Source: https://www.gnatwork.ac.uk/sites/gnatwork/files/content/attachments/2020-06-08/Art%20Borkent%20World%20catalog%202020.pdf

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2024-05-01 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024