Wellness

[Judaline]

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.

[D Kay]

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.

[SilleeMee]

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.

[jlkz]

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.

[fthunt]

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.

[Mindy D]

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. 

[godi]

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. 

[Mindy D]

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

[Mindy D]

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

[Sweetbay magnolia]

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.