Black Bugs That Bite

There are a number of little critters out there that you don't know of and the worst thing is that some of them do bite. Now how do you figure out which one of these is causing all that trouble. Where are they coming from? How do you get rid of them? Do they carry diseases? Are they poisonous? Read on to enter the strange and fascinating world of Black Bugs That Bite!!

Bedbugs
These are the tiny black bugs that bite you when you are sleeping. They like to hole up in the cracks in furniture, in the creases of your mattresses or any other dark and cozy place they can hide. They have a taste for human blood and don't really like light, and so they feed mostly at night. Though bedbugs have not been found to carry too many diseases, their bites are pretty nasty and can cause a bad reaction. They feed continually for up to five minutes, and the bite is quite painless. It is quite hard to get rid of bedbugs as they are experts at hiding and getting into the cracks in walls and furniture and can lay up to 200 eggs in a span of a few weeks. The best way to prevent bedbugs is to maintain cleanliness, by thoroughly cleaning up your home. Here's more on how to get rid of bed bugs. If you think you have bedbugs you check for tell tale signs of tiny blood spots on the bedsheets and covers (which is their excreta), bites on your bodies, and the insects themselves hiding in cracks and behind wall hangings. Birds and rodents might also be the source of this bug and it is safe to keep your home free of these creatures as well, as they might pass on their parasite to you. Know all about Bed Bugs.

Fleas
Fleas are the tiny black bugs on dogs and cats that effortlessly leap from one place to another and are almost impossible to catch. There are many different types of fleas, but the most common one in the United States is the Cat Flea or Ctenocephalides felis. They too are bloodsuckers, feeding on warm blooded animals including dogs, cats and humans. Their bite may cause a reaction that is severe in some people more than others. These are one of the hardest pests to get rid of as they have a complex life cycle that includes the egg, larva, pupa and then adult stage. Fleas at the adult stage are the ones that bite. They lay eggs on your pet's body which then fall onto the floor or couch or carpet, basically any area that your pet likes to frequent. In the larval stage, the flea just stays hidden in your carpet or sofas, feeding on whatever organic material they can find. They then go on to the pupa stage, from where they emerge as blood sucking adults. The only way to get rid of them is constant cleaning and applying of pesticide over a period of a few weeks. This is best done by professionals. Also, pet care is essential to make sure all the fleas have been removed from your pet. Regular washing with flea shampoos, and constant hygiene should be maintained. This flea control guide can help you get rid of them. Fleas are carriers of the bacterium Yersinia pestis, that is responsible for causing plague, and were the cause of the deaths of many people all over the world. They would breed on rodents and then transfer the virus to humans on biting them. They are also known for their incredible ability to jump up to a hundred times their body length. Know all about Fleas.

Mites
Mites are a diverse species and there are many types of mites all around us. Although not all of them are necessarily bad, some of them do cause allergic reactions in humans. The most common among the mites are dust mites, which do not bite us but instead feed on dust and debris, mostly dead skin from our own bodies. They shed their exoskeleton from time to time and this might cause respiratory allergies in some people. Other harmless mites include the mold mites, grain mites even cheese mites. They do not bite but can cause a psychological urge to itch. The mites that do bite are the bird and rodent mites that might be parasites on birds and rodents which can then be passed on to us. There is also the scabies mite which causes a skin condition known as scabies. A way to keep these mites away is to again maintain cleanliness and to discourage birds and rodents from getting near your home.

Lice
There are three kinds of lice that are exclusive to humans. These are Head Lice, Body Lice and Pubic Lice. They are also called Nits, Cooties and Crabs respectively. Head and Pubic Lice do not transmit any diseases but the body louse is known to transmit a disease known as Epidemic Typhus. Body lice usually lay their eggs on clothing, head lice in the hair and pubic lice in the hair of the pubic region. These are not easily transferred as they are slow moving insects and die out within a week or two. But their eggs hatch and give rise to new lice. Good personal hygiene and shampooing with anti lice shampoos should help in getting rid of these pests.

Mosquitoes
These are the annoying little flying insects that buzz around your ear, then sit on an exposed area of your skin to go on to proceed sucking your blood. They are among the most dangerous as they can carry a number of diseases including Malaria, Yellow fever, Encephalitis, Filariasis and Dengue. The best way to control mosquitoes is to get rid of their available breeding grounds, which are stagnant pools of water that are left uncovered. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in the water where they hatch and their larvae grow. Draining out any stagnant water reduces the chances of mosquitoes growing around your home. Another thing you could do is to make sure there are screens for your doors and windows and that they are not damaged, thus avoiding mosquitoes from getting into your homes, thus reducing the risk of mosquito bites. You could also use mosquito repellent on your body while going outdoors into a mosquito infested area. Know all about Mosquitoes.

Ticks
Ticks are last on our list of small black bugs that bite but are in no way the least. They are one of the most effective bugs in spreading diseases and a number of diseases are associated with them. They can also cause paralysis by toxins that they have in their saliva. They are common in the United States. They are mostly found outdoors. They are slow moving animals and can be easily detected. They always move in an upward direction and are most likely to be found near the hairline at the back of the neck. A new form of disease called Lyme Disease, was discovered in the 1970's which was associated with ticks. The best way to get rid of these ticks is to inspect one's body for any signs of them and carefully remove them using a pair of tweezers. This is the safest way to detach them after they have bitten you. Find out more on the types of ticks.

There are a dozen other harmless insects out there, with some that are even helpful to us. So it isn't right to completely despise all insects, but we must beware of the ones that are a nuisance and could be a health risk to you and your families.