topic Re: Invisible bugs? in Wellness

Invisible bugs?

Judaline — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 13:22:10 GMT

We have an outdoor sofa on our screened in porch. I love it. It's my refuge. Well,no more-can't go out there. If I do, I get bit! I don't see them. I don't feel them. Everything is normal, until that night when I see the bite. As big around as a nickel. Itches a lot. Yes, there's a puncture or something in the center. It's bright pink, the whole thing. I've tried going out again, but got another one. I had two in a row but never more than two. I told DH let's take a hose and power the heck out of the couch. He said it won't do any good, they're in the material. I said but it's weather proof, how'd they get in? Does anyone have an answer for me. I will not use bug spray. I LIE on the this couch.

Re: Invisible bugs?

D Kay — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 13:39:10 GMT

Why not place the cushions in the direct sun for a few hours or replace them altogether? There are bugs that are called " no seeums" . You can not see them but can feel them biting. Don't know if that is what you are describing since you don't feel the bite.

Re: Invisible bugs?

SilleeMee — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 13:57:18 GMT

I think what you described might be no-see-um flies. The flies are so small that they can go right through most window screens. Just google how to get rid of them and there will be several.

Re: Invisible bugs?

jlkz — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 14:00:56 GMT

It may not be the fabric of the cushions. Rather, if they are the infamous “ no-seeums “ ( esp. at the shore ), your screening may need to be changed to a tighter gauge.

I can remember from vacations at the shore, that after 4 PM I couldn’t sit outside or I would be bitten all over. Somehow wearing long sleeves and slacks didn’t stop them from biting.

Since this sounds like a new occurence in your favorite spot, is there anything new or different inside the room or outside area ? Something is attracting them now.

Re: Invisible bugs?

fthunt — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 14:43:15 GMT

I would junk the couch - treat the room - buy a new relaxing sofa. You'll never get rid of tiny infestation of bugs. Finer gauge screens is a good idea - perhaps.

Re: Invisible bugs?

Mindy D — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 16:58:38 GMT

Try using DE, diatomaceous earth. It’s a nontoxic substance. It’s a powder. You can get it on Amazon, Home Depot and more. Put it on the sofa cushions and leave it on awhile then vacuum or beat it off. If the bugs are in it, you can unzip and treat the cushions too. If the bugs that are biting are air born it won’t help.

Re: Invisible bugs?

godi — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 17:05:56 GMT

Boy I never heard of this noseeums bugs! Yikes. I do not use cushions at all on porches because some years back bees got into a cushion and built a nest. Well I sat on it. Let’s just say it was not a good experience. 🐝 🍑

So for me never never never will I sit on a cushion on a porch.

Re: Invisible bugs?

Mindy D — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 17:17:49 GMT

If they are noseeums, they are a type of biting midge. They are not in the sofa. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceratopogonidae

Re: Invisible bugs?

Mindy D — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 17:24:14 GMT

If they are noseeums, they are a type of biting midge. They are not in the sofa. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceratopogonidae

Some tips for control from the U of Fla here. http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/aquatic/biting_midges.htm

Re: Invisible bugs?

Sweetbay magnolia — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 17:41:50 GMT

Dare I say it, maybe spiders. There are some 'round my house that are nearly invisible (I think they're commonly called "ghost spiders").

They sometimes get in my linen closet. 'nuff said (I live in the woods with an unfinished crawl space beneath the house)

Those darn no-see-ums sting me something fierce but I rarely see a bump as a result, though of course everybody's different. Chiggers have been pretty terrible here this year, too.

Re: Invisible bugs?

BirkiLady — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 18:25:06 GMT

Never heard of noseeums until this summer. My neighbor is covered with welts on her legs from their bites. She actually went to her PCP; they are that painful and the itching is miserable. She can't work in her flower beds or sit on either her front porch or my patio. Yet, I have nothing. Strangest thing either of us have ever seen.

I'm so sorry others are plagued with those bugs, as well. Must be from the wicked winter with so much moisture?

ETA: We do not have cushions on our furnature outside. Her rockers are wooden rockers. My patio furniture is wrought iron and the cushions are always kept inside the family room. In fact, we seldom bother to bring cushions out! The chairs are fine without cushions.

Pretty sure the noseeums have been drawn to Nebraska due to the flooding this year. And, my neighbor does enjoy opening her windows for fresh air. If they are tiny enough to fly through screens they are probably also getting into her home.

I don't open my windows at all due to allergies, RA, Lupus and now my painful back. Guess those have kept me fortunate this summer!

Re: Invisible bugs?

Azcowgirl — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 18:25:05 GMT

That’s awful that you can’t enjoy your sofa. I think biting bugs have been way worse this year. We had a damp spring, maybe that’s why . DH comes home from golf complaining about how bad it is on the golf course.

Maybe try spritzing the fabric with water with a few drops of cedar and peppermint oil mixed in and shaken well.It acts as a natural repellent.

I wouldn’t use diatomaceous earth, it can be very irritating to skin and eyes and breathing it is not good either.

Re: Invisible bugs?

Zhills — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 18:27:56 GMT

@Azcowgirl wrote

I wouldn’t use diatomaceous earth, it can be very irritating to skin and eyes and breathing it is not good either.

It will get in eyes and cause a real problem. So small that you don't realize it is on your hands.

Real problem for animals.

P.S. I always see really tiny spiders this time of year. They do that to me!

Re: Invisible bugs?

Judaline — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 19:36:24 GMT

@jlkz Definitely a new occurrence. Hmmm........the only thing different is the weird weather that abounds everywhere, and a fern I got from Kroger. It's unbelieveably large fronded! Doesn't look real. I'm just wondering where they came from. I think you may be onto something. It's outta here!!!!! I know it's too late but heck, you have to start somewhere. I will use google again from suggestions here.

Thanks

Re: Invisible bugs?

Judaline — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 19:37:42 GMT

@D Kay wrote:
Why not place the cushions in the direct sun for a few hours or replace them altogether? There are bugs that are called " no seeums" . You can not see them but can feel them biting. Don't know if that is what you are describing since you don't feel the bite.

That's the first thing we did. Beat them with a carpet beater and set them out in the sun all day. (they probably liked it, lol)

Re: Invisible bugs?

wonderfulworld — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 20:38:07 GMT

The noseeums in South Carolina actually are visible. Smaller than fruit fly but you can see them...and feel when they bite. They like the scalp especially. If you cannot see anything at the time you first feel the bite, I would not suspect noseeums. Also they come in small swarms, when weather is hot, humid and breezeless..

Re: Invisible bugs?

RedTop — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 22:28:35 GMT

Regardless of the time of day, if I want to sit on my front porch, I light my citronella bucket candles. It’s the only way I can enjoy my porch and not be eaten alive by all the biters and blood suckers.