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Summer Insects That Will Bug You

What Owners Should Know About Fleas, Ticks, and Heartworms

Long days and warm summer weather mean more time spent outside with family and friends. That being said, more time outdoors can lead to more run-ins with potential pests. Read on to find out how to identify harmful summer insects and the best ways to treat their associated bites and stings.

Spiders

More than 30% of the U.S. population suffers from arachnophobia – a fear of spiders. That’s because some of these creepy crawlers can do major damage. This summer, make sure to be on the lookout for these two variations.

Black Widow

Appearance. If you spy a black spider with a red hourglass on its underside, beware, it’s not your friendly neighborhood Spiderman.

Cause for Concern. Female black widows are venomous, and their bites can affect humans. When bitten, venom travels through the victim’s bloodstream and can affect the nervous system. Black widows are known to be shy spiders though, so bites are unlikely if you avoid placing your hands where you cannot see them.

Symptoms. While some people don’t even notice they’ve been bitten, others will feel a sharp pain. Symptoms associated with the bite can vary depending on the location of the bite, how much venom was injected, and a person’s sensitivities. But they commonly include severe cramping of back and abdominal muscles, fever, labored breathing, and tremors.

black widow
Black Widow

Bite Treatment. If you fear you have been bitten by a black widow, apply ice to the bite location and seek medical treatment immediately. In severe cases, your doctor may inject you with antivenom.

Where They Are Found. Black widows enjoy dark, warm, enclosed spaces, and are commonly found around the perimeter of the home.

Brown Recluse

Appearance. These brown spiders are just under an inch in length and have a dark, violin-shaped mark on the top of their bodies.

Cause for Concern. Though they rarely bite, brown recluses pack a serious venomous punch. For anyone with a poor immune system, brown recluse bites can cause severe, whole body reactions that require immediate medical attention.

Symptoms. Symptoms from a bite tend to appear anywhere from 2 to 8 hours following the bite, and the most common symptoms are itching, redness, and blistering around the bite site. The venom from the spider will destroy skin and tissue around the wound, leaving a hole beneath the blister.

Bite Treatment. If you suspect you have been bitten by a brown recluse, you should seek medical treatment immediately. Wash the bite area with soap and water, elevate the limb, and tightly tie a bandage around the wound to slow the spread of venom. Ice the wound on and off for 10 minutes at a time.

brown recluse
Brown Recluse

Where They Are Found. Brown recluses tend to prefer dark, dry areas like closets, basements, and sheds. They hibernate in winter, which means they are out in full force by summertime.

An Expert Weighs In

"Most spider bites only sting or cause mild irritation and a slight rash. These can be treated with reassurance, ice, elevation, and a mild pain reliever. However, watching for signs of infection is important. Infection is identified by red, painful, warm, and swollen tissue and can be more severe depending on the amount of venom injected. Young children and the elderly are most vulnerable to reactions from spider bites."

Bees & Wasps

Bees and wasps are easily confused given their similar appearance, but their differences are significant. Bees pollinate flowers and can only sting once. Wasps (which include yellow jackets and hornets, among many other varieties) on the other hand, are the ones you need to look out for on your summer picnic.

Hornet & Yellow Jacket

Appearance. It goes without saying that yellow jackets are, well…yellow. And black. These are the pests that tend to come to mind when people think “bee.” Hornets are generally black and white or brownish red.

Cause for Concern. These aggressors are easily provoked. They can sting multiple times and will chase you hundreds of yards to do so, if they feel threatened or provoked. The venom in a yellow jacket or hornet’s stinger can trigger severe allergic reactions in some people.

Symptoms. For someone who is allergic to yellow jackets or hornets, he or she will break out in hives, have difficulty breathing, and could even go into anaphylactic shock when stung. Non-allergic reactions from yellow jacket and hornet stings will cause redness, pain, and itching at the sting site.

Sting Treatment. If you are not allergic to yellow jackets or hornets, a cold compress and Benadryl can alleviate symptoms. For those with severe allergies, it is vital to always carry an EpiPen.

hornet and yellow jacket
Hornet & Yellow Jacket

Where They Are Found. Yellow jackets and hornets tend to nest in the ground, so if you see them flying low to the ground, you might be near a hive.

An Expert Weighs In

“Bee venom contains many different proteins that the immune system can react to. For example, the most allergenic protein in honey bee venom is an enzyme called Phospholipase A. After repeated exposure, the body recognizes the protein as foreign and creates an antibody to it. These antibodies trigger an allergic reaction with the next sting. Skin testing is used to diagnose an insect sting allergy and is usually only indicated after a systemic reaction to stings such as hives, swelling, and more severe symptoms. For that reason, there is no way to know before a sting if a patient is allergic.”

Ticks

These small arachnids are known for spreading dangerous diseases. Fortunately, the diseases they carry have clear signs, symptoms, and treatments.

American Dog Tick & Brown Dog Tick

Appearance. Both the American dog tick and the brown dog tick are reddish brown in color, and range in size anywhere from ⅛ inch to ½ inch if they’ve fed recently.

Cause for Concern. Both of these ticks spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which has one of the highest incidence rates here in Tennessee.

Symptoms. Rocky Mountain spotted fever symptoms, which usually present themselves two to five days after the tick bite, include fever, nausea, muscle pain, and sometimes red eyes, paired with a non-itchy red spotted rash on your arms, wrists, ankles, and sometimes chest and back.

Bite Treatment. Antibiotics are necessary for individuals who develop Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and the earlier the better. Without treatment, cases have been known to be fatal.

american dog tick
American Dog Tick & Brown Dog Tick

Where They Are Found. These ticks can be found in the woods or in your backyard. It is important keep your grass cut and your yard free of debris to avoid these nuisances.

Black-Legged Tick

Appearance. Commonly known as deer ticks, black-legged ticks appear predominantly black when hungry, and turn a bluish gray color when fully engorged.

Cause for Concern. Black-legged ticks can spread Lyme disease. The rash associated with the disease presents itself as a warm, red bullseye surrounding the bite. To transmit the disease, the tick must be attached to you for at least 24 hours.

Symptoms. The most common symptoms of Lyme disease are fever, headache, and muscle and joint pain. They can begin anywhere from three to 30 days after the bite. If left untreated, the disease can prove fatal.

Bite Treatment. Antibiotics are required to treat Lyme disease. Most often, amoxicillin or tetracycline is prescribed.

black-legged tick
Black-Legged Tick

Where They Are Found. Like the American dog tick and the brown dog tick, these ticks can be found in the woods or in your backyard. Always keep your grass cut and rid your yard of debris.

An Expert Weighs In

“Avoid ticks on hikes by walking in the center of the trail, avoiding tall grasses, and wearing insect repellent. Always check your skin and scalp thoroughly and try and bathe within two hours after potential tick exposure. Following an outing, wash and tumble dry clothing on high heat for at least 10 minutes to kill ticks, and be sure to check any accompanying pets and outdoor gear.”
Dr. Natasha E. Ballard
Assistant Medical Director, AFC Urgent Care

As a reminder, Dr. Ballard notes, “While conditions from insect bites can be quite frightening, it is important not to panic when a bite occurs. Medical professionals are always available to provide prompt, in-person evaluation and treatment – or simple reassurance – whenever necessary.”

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