Are You Itching And Scratching Those Little Bug Bites On Your Legs?

October is a great time in Las Vegas for doing stuff outdoors. The temperatures are almost perfect. There’s usually very little wind. Plenty of sunshine. The evenings are especially pleasant for gathering with friends and family on backyard patios, porches, and balconies. But why do we end up with all these red, splotchy, bug bites all over our lower legs?

It is true that mosquitoes are present here in Southern Nevada this year. We had a relatively wet winter, spring, and summer for living in a desert. However, mosquitoes tend to gather around still, standing water. Furthermore, a mosquito bite appears as a small, round, puffy bump on your skin. The red bump shows up shortly after you receive that mosquito bite too.

On the other hand, if you’re seeing and feeling clusters of small red bumps on your lower legs and feet, they probably aren’t mosquito bites. Especially if those clusters of bug bites develop into patches of red areas. If that’s the case, then you’re getting bites from microscopic bugs. These bugs have various names including chiggers, sand gnats, biting midges, punkies, sandflies, and mites. You can’t see these bugs with the naked eye because they’re so tiny, so many people call them “no-see-ums.”

We have all heard how dangerous mosquito bites can be since they can infect us with terrible diseases. However, biting midge bites are not dangerous. That’s the good news. The bad news is that these bites are extremely itchy and irritating for most people. Moreover, all of that itching and scratching often turns those bug bites into large red welts. Too much scratching, and these will become open sores.

Comparatively, midge bites do not show up immediately like mosquito bites. But once you know you have midge bites, it’s best to wash the area with warm water and anti-bacterial soap. Furthermore, to reduce the itchiness, you can apply a washcloth soaked in cold water. That should help you resist the urge to scratch. That’s according to an article by Sharon McCulloch on FirstAidPro.com.au.

McCulloch’s website post also goes on to recommend four ways to avoid getting midge bites. First, it’s best to avoid breeding grounds for these swirling, swarming, microscopic insects. They especially love to gather at dusk and dawn. Second, you can use insect repellent which contains the chemical DEET (diethyl-toluamide). Third, you can burn a Citronella candle in the area where you and your friends and family are gathering. Midges and other bugs hate the smell of Citronella oil. Fourth, you can cover up by wearing long pants, a long sleeve shirt, and closed shoes.

Now you’re ready to head outdoors and enjoy life in Southern Nevada this autumn!

It's getting warmer in Nevada, which means you can expect a few critters to make an unwelcomed appearance.

This week, Nevada will experience warmer temperatures in high 80s. The desert heat is perfect for certain insects to thrive in. Certain insects like beetles, cockroaches, silverfish and more multiply quickly in the desert.

Insects thrive in temperatures 75 degrees and above, so the rising temperatures mean that more insects will come out. According to Channel 8, once insects, like beetles and cockroaches, come out then scorpions and spiders will start to make an appearance as well. This is because the food source for arachnids are insects like cockroaches, crane flies, gnat flies, etc.

There are a few ways to ensure that insects don't see your house as their own. According to Dr. Death Pest Control, a local pest control company based in Henderson and Boulder City, they advise to clean your kitchen, disinfect your drains and ensure your food is stored properly. Although simple, these steps can help you avoid a gnat, cockroach, beetle or other bugs in Nevada from infesting your place.

One of the coolest and "natural" insecticides that we found when it comes to fighting off pests is Diatomaceous Earth. This is a powder-like substance that you can find at home improvement stores like Lowe's, Home Depot or online like Amazon. It's made out of fossilized remains of small, aquatic organisms called diatoms, and it's a great tool to fight against bugs in Nevada.

According to the Natural Pesticide Information Center, Diatomaceous Earth products can be used against bed bugs, cockroaches, crickets, fleas, ticks, spiders and many other pests. Diatomaceous Earth destroys the exoskeleton of insects because the particles act like tiny razor blades that cut the insect's insides. However, you need to be careful with this product because the particles can be dangerous to breathe in.

Another way to get rid of insects is to spray essential oils like clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, basil, oregano,  mint, and thyme. These oils have been found to have "a range of effects on insect eggs, larvae, nymphs and adults," according to Entomology Today.

Also, a mixture of boric acid and sugar has been found to be a natural insecticide, too. These are ingredients that can be purchased from most grocery stores, and it's not as harsh as Raid or other well-known insecticides.

Overall, the Nevada desert is filled with "take-your-breathe-away" creatures. Fortifying your home with an essential oil sealant across corners, under doors and in tight spaces could help battle against insects. Ensuring you don't give insects the opportunity to live in your home in the first place will help battle the creepy crawly creatures of the desert from taking over.

If you're interested in learning about some of the critters that call Nevada home then scroll down below!

Extremely venomous and packs a painful bite, the Mojave Green is a snake that you don't want to mess with. You can find this snake across the high desert or low valley areas of the Mojave. There are a few at Red Rock Canyon, but the sighting for this snake have been pretty low. If you do ever encounter this snake then be sure to stay away at least 10 feet from the snake.

In Las Vegas, there are four main species of roaches: German, Oriental, American and Australian. They're all equally as disgusting, and they thrive in the desert climate. These bugs carry pathogens and multiply quickly. However, roaches are hard to kill with natural DIY methods. So, if you have a problem at your house then it's probably best to call a professional exterminator. 

This is a spider that should strike a little fear in your heart if you see it hanging in your home. Although it's poisonous, these spiders rarely bite if unprovoked.

These little gross bugs are usually found throughout buildings that uses cardboard boxes or has a great deal of moisture. These translucent-like bugs enjoy dark, damp environments. If you see one then that usually means there are hundreds. These bugs don't have as much of a chance to spread pathogens or germs like roaches. They do, however, have the ability to chew tiny holes through clothes, upholstery, etc. And they can trigger allergies among people.

When you think of desert insects, you need to think about scorpions. Due to this arachnid feeding off of insects like roaches, ants, etc. Our homes in Nevada have become perfect places where a scorpion can lie low in while waiting for its next meal. They like to hide in dark damp places like shoes. So, be sure to check your shoes if you store them in the closet or outside. They're pretty docile creatures as long as you don't provoke them.

A truly remarkable specimen, these long horn beetles are found throughout the deserts in Nevada, California and Mexico. They don't fly, and they feed on cacti.

This beautiful moth is hauntingly beautiful. The larvae feed on horsebrush, Fremont’s Dalea, and desert almond plants. While the adults don't feed at all. These insects are not known to cause any property damage or other types of nuances. 

Larry Martino is the long-time afternoon drive personality on 96.3 KKLZ. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of Larry Martino and not necessarily those of Beasley Media Group, LLC.

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