A simple realization that there is a tiny insect in your house that can bite, will already make your skin itch. The first step to coping with these annoying creatures is identifying them, and that is exactly what we’ll try to do.
In this article, you’ll find out more about:
- Gnats
- No-see-ums
- Fleas
- Mosquitoes
- Ticks
- Ants
- Carpet beetles
What Are Those Tiny Black Bugs in the House That Bite?
Gnats
What do they look like?
Gnats are typically very small – up to ¼ of an inch long. They are weak fliers with long antennae and legs.
How did they get into your house?
Some species are attracted to moisture, so once it becomes cool outside, the gnats might choose to invade your house, if it has high levels of humidity and stagnant water sources.
You might also accidentally bring home an item from the store or a plant that has already been infested.
Finally, gnats can enter your house in the search of food (they like overly-ripe fruits, plant nectar, and blood).
Why do they bite?
Not all species bite. Moreover, only the females can feed on the blood of mammals, the males prefer plant nectar.
When a gnat does bite, it is a rather painful experience. There will be a red, itchy lump left on the skin (similar to a mosquito bite).
The gnats that bite are able to cut the skin open with the cutters that they have in their mouths.
The bites will start to itch because of your body’s reaction to the anticoagulants that allow the insects to suck your blood without it coagulating.
No-See-Ums
What do they look like?
What do they look like?
![](http://<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Biting_midge_(Ceratopogonidae),_Cradley,_Herefordshire,_UK.jpg">gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K.</a>, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0">CC BY 2.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons”>http://<a href=”https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Biting_midge_(Ceratopogonidae),_Cradley,_Herefordshire,_UK.jpg”>gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K.</a>, <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0″>CC BY 2.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons</a></figcaption></figure>
<p>The no-see-um or the biting midge is a tiny, <strong>blood-sucking</strong> fly. In fact, the insect is so small that you might not even be able to see it – their body is about <strong>0.03 inches </strong>long.</p>
<p>Fortunately, the biting midges usually travel <strong>in swarms,</strong> so you may be able to spot the impending danger.</p>
<p><strong>How did they get into your house?</strong></p>
<p>The insects are so small that they can easily get through the screens of your<strong> doors</strong> and windows.</p>
<p>You will, most likely, have a problem with these insects, if you live close to a <strong>breeding site.</strong> For example, no-see-ums thrive in <strong>marsh areas </strong>or around shallow bodies of water.</p>
<p><strong>Why do they bite?</strong></p>
<p>Once again, only <strong>female </strong>insects will bite as they need to consume blood in order to lay eggs.</p>
<p>The saliva of a biting midge is extremely<strong> irritating. </strong>The chances are high that the bite is going to turn into a <strong>red, itchy </strong>splotch or a multi-bite cluster.</p>
<p>The bites are <strong>more painful </strong>than those of a mosquito and typically appear a day later after the actual bite.</p>
<h3 class=)
Fleas are tiny, wingless insects that feed only on the blood of mammals and birds.
These parasitic creatures have highly developed jumping legs and can jump as far as 13 inches (which is around 200 times their body length).
How did they get into your house?
If you have a cat or a dog, then the most obvious way for the fleas to enter the house is on your pet.
However, these insects can also travel on pieces of furniture and clothes and even on the skin of another person who has already been infested.
Why do they bite?
Even though fleas prefer to live on pets as they have more fur, these insects can bite humans as well. Both females and males need blood to survive.
The creatures use the claws on the ends of their legs to hold on to the host and then use a tiny needle to pierce the skin and suck the blood.
Flea bites are itchy and usually look like a discolored bump (they may develop a discolored ring around them).
Mosquitoes
What do they look like?
There are over 200 different species of mosquitoes in the US, but all of them have narrow, oval-shaped bodies and very long legs and noses.
The size of adult mosquitoes ranges from ¼ to 3/8 of an inch.
How did they get into your house?
Any type of standing water can become the breeding site of a mosquito. So, if you live next to ponds, woodland pools, drainage ditches, etc. then these insects can become a problem.
Why do they bite?
Female mosquitoes bite humans and suck their blood as they need protein to lay the eggs.
Almost immediately after the bite, a round, puffy bump will form. These bumps are itchy, as our bodies will start interacting with the insect’s saliva.
Ticks
What do they look like?
Ticks are related to spiders, that’s why they have eight legs. This small, blood-sucking bug has a flat, oval body that gets swollen as soon as the insect eats.
How did they get into your house?
Even though tick infestations are rare indoors, they can be carried into your house on your pets or even the family members.
By the way, some species are able to thrive indoors, so they would be happy to make their way inside through the small cracks and crevices that your house might have.
Why do they bite?
Tick bites don’t immediately itch, that’s why the insect might continue sucking your blood for up to 2 weeks without being noticed.
They bite once and use the site to get enough blood until they are completely full (after that, the tick simply falls off).
Usually, you won’t feel anything, but there the area around the bite might become red and swollen.
Ants
What do they look like?
Black ants or carpenter ants like to tunnel through wood to create nests. These ants can get up to 5/8 of an inch long.
How did they get into your house?
Carpenter ants like moldy wood, so if there is a moisture issue inside the house, they will find their way in.
They can easily enter the building through cracks and crevices, straight through wet wood, or by crawling along tree limbs that touch the house.
Why do they bite?
It is not common for carpenter ants to bite, but they can do that in defense.
The bite might break the skin and is quite painful. Moreover, the ant can spray formic acid right into the bite to make it even more painful.
Carpet Beetles
What do they look like?
Carpet beetles are about the size of a pinhead. They are round or oval and are covered in tiny hairs.
How did they get into your house?
These insects (mainly, their larvae) are relatively common in homes as they feed on carpets, wool, and silk, and can even digest human skin and hair.
Why do they bite?
Carpet beetles do not bite. However, if your skin comes in contact with the rough hairs of the larvae, it can cause a rash that might be mistaken for dozens of bites.
How to Treat the Bites from the Tiny Black Bugs
The bites that are not causing too much discomfort all have pretty much the same treatment:
- Wash the bite with warm, soapy water to ensure that the area is clean.
- Do not scratch the bite as it will only increase inflammation and make the area even itchier.
- You can apply an anti-itch cream or take an over-the-counter antihistamine.
- To reduce the itchiness and swelling, you can also try to apply an ice pack to the bite.
- Carefully monitor your overall health.
Remember some insects can transmit extremely serious diseases (ticks can transmit Lyme disease, mosquitoes – encephalitis, and so on).
If you have noticed any other symptoms except itchiness and mild swelling, then it would be better to visit the doctor.
It would certainly be helpful if you could identify the tiny black bug that had bitten you. The list above can help you with that.
How to Get Rid of the Tiny Black Bugs That Bite
Of course, it is always better to prevent a bite than to cure it.
To make sure that the tiny black bugs don’t find their way inside your house, you should:
- Reduce dampness in your yard (ensure that the drainage systems are working properly and get rid of piles of organic waste as soon as you can)
- Use extremely fine mesh shields on your windows and doors
- Trim any bushes and trees that touch your house’s walls
- Seal all cracks and crevices (pay extra attention to the walls that face the yard)
- Check your pet for fleas and ticks every time the little guy comes back home
- Use insecticides (there are plenty of natural remedies that will help you repel the bugs)
Conclusion
Unfortunately, there are quite a few different tiny black bugs that can make their way into your house and bite you.
The great news is that these bites are curable and that there are simple preventative measures that you can take to keep the insects away from your home.
Alright, that’s it for this article, here are a few hand-selected articles that you might also find interesting reads:
How Do I Get Rid of Little Black Bugs in My House? 3 Easy Steps5 Most Common Tiny Black Bugs in Kitchen Sink – Identified
Tiny Black Bugs in Your Home? – Here’s what they REALLY are
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