Sand fly bites can cause allergic reactions.
Sand flies, also known as biting midges, are tiny pests that fly around looking for their next meal. The female sand fly feeds on blood to help produce eggs, while the male feeds on nectar. Sand flies usually live for two weeks, but their bites cause red marks and sometimes allergic reactions in humans and animals. They usually travel in swarms and live around coastal lagoons and swamps. You can combat sand flies several different ways. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Remove any rotting vegetation in the area that could house sand fly larvae. Disposing of the larvae will prevent an increase in the fly population.
2. Spray insecticides on areas where sand flies are known to land. These are available in aerosol sprays for inside the home and hose sprayers for outside. Insecticides are not 100 percent effective for treating sand flies because they only kill the flies that are present at the time and only work for a couple of hours.
3. Turn on fans and burn candles in areas where the sand flies swarm. Because the flies are small, changes in the air current make it difficult for them to fly and land on their prey.
4. Use insect repellent containing DEET. Apply spray or lotion to repel the sand flies or use bug bracelets or repellents that attach to your belt. Cover as much of your body as possible by wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants in areas where swarms of sand flies are likely.
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