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Are you afraid of a fluff bite? Apart from the pain, practically nothing else threatens you. – Although the female fluff creates bothersome, itchy wounds, they are not vectors of infectious diseases like mosquitoes or ticks – says entomologist, Dr. Stanisław Czachorowski. Common repellants do not work on naps, the best form of protection is avoidance.
Is a fluff bite painful?
As the scientist emphasizes in an interview with PAP, tiny fluff – although bloodsucking – play a useful role in nature. They thrive in running waters, that is, rivers and streams. Their larvae filter the slurry, taking part in the process of cleaning rivers.
Black flies are not dangerous to humans, although their bites can be painful. These are not so much stings as wounds, as these tiny insects literally tear human skin. They do not let the venom under their skin, but their saliva causes itching, swelling and an allergic reaction. Swelling – especially in allergy sufferers – can last for many days. Sometimes it is accompanied by fever and severe allergic reactions.
- Check how you can recognize an allergy?
Healthy people also struggle with bothersome symptoms – just scratch the wound and contaminate it with bacteria, causing inflammation. The scientist suggests not to scratch the “bite” spots, but to keep them clean and to use a drugstore to alleviate itching at a pharmacy. For example, Mini-Click, which soothes the symptoms of insect bites, and is applied directly to the bite site, will work. it soothes itching and reduces the urge to scratch.
A serious threat, which, for example, increases after floods, is mainly caused by midges for animals. In recent years, there have been cases where tied cows have died, unable to escape from the swarms of attacking flies, pressing into their nostrils, mouths, eyelids and throats. The cause of death of the animals was usually laryngeal edema.
– When there are a lot of adults, they can endanger cattle. They get into the respiratory tract; animals become nervous, milk is lost. In extreme cases, cattle may die with the mass appearance of fluff – says Dr. Stanisław Czachorowski from the University of Warmia and Mazury.
The scientist reassures, however, that black flies are not involved in the transmission of diseases, such as mosquitoes or ticks.
- Find out how you can deal with mosquitoes?
As he added, it is worth preventing contact with the fluff, i.e. avoiding places where they may occur. – Of course, it is not always possible, especially during the holidays, when we want to be close to nature – the entomologist says.
The flies belong to the flies. They are relatives of mosquitoes and, like mosquitoes, females need the blood of vertebrates to develop their eggs. Other flies are also bloodsucking – bugs, bitterns and blinders. The latter can be found far from the water. They take their toll on people in July and August. Similarly, horse flies and cattle bitterns, found near watercourses, e.g. in Warsaw near the Vistula. These insects are more and more willing to travel deeper into cities, they can even be found in front of the Palace of Culture and Science.
Stanisław Czachorowski notes that in the case of naps, the most effective form of protection is to avoid them, as they are not affected by popular repellants. Chemical “scarers” mainly protect against mosquitoes, which react to heat and carbon dioxide.
At Medonet Market, however, you can buy Mustico mosquito and fluff repellent patches, Mustico mosquito repellent and fluff repellent spray or Mustico mosquito repellent spray, which you can buy separately or in special anti-mosquito and anti-tick kits. Click to view all Mosquito repellants available on Medonet Market.
- GIS warns: mosquito repellent products “can pose a health risk”
We cannot even apply the cunning ways of nature, like the zebra, which protects itself from the tsetse fly with a striped color. Only horse flies and blinders can sense us “infrared” – and here, yes, patterned, bright clothing will work. Blinds will not see us there, especially annoying before the storm, attacking tourists, for example, in the Kampinos National Park. The bushy spots are attracted by a large, dark stain – a hot car, a dark T-shirt. They are fooled when we put on a colorful, preferably striped outfit.
Are you looking for an effective remedy for ticks and insects? Try Tick Stop
However, not fluff. These must simply – as the scientist advises – either accept or avoid meetings. And when they catch you, you can try to remedy your symptoms.
– In pharmacies there are remedies for bites that soothe the itching sensation, thanks to which we do not feel the bites so painfully. But remember that in summer even blades of grass can hurt us if we go for a walk in shorts. Let’s treat it as a vacation adventure. I recommend that you accept insects and not take too hastily chemicals against those that bother you, because we destroy everything else! Soon, the lack of insects will be a serious problem for us – warns the expert.
- Check what insect poisoning looks like
As he reminds, insects are an important trophic element in the food chains at the end of which are birds and mammals. The role of pollinating insects cannot be overestimated. On the other hand, troublesome flies occur relatively shortly, seasonally, and in the larval stage a very important element of the benthos: they filter the suspension from the water.
– Let’s be glad that insects still exist. The decrease in the number of insects is alarming, reaching even 70%. in the agricultural landscape. It is like old people say: when you get up in the morning and nothing hurts, it’s not good; if something hurts – it means we’re still alive. Similarly with insects – as long as they tease us, that’s fine. Nowadays, we are unaccustomed to contact with insects, even flies do not fall into our soup, as they used to. For many insects, including pollinators, cities are the only places they can survive. In the countryside – where there are arable fields – frequent spraying is used and the insects no longer find a place for themselves. In cities, we can create flower meadows, plant trees and let them survive. Let’s not panic, it’s summer and our skin must be a little itchy. It is natural – sums up dr hab. Czachorowski.