Biting Midges in Wrightwood?

[TimG]

This week everyone in our home has been waking up with bug bites -- look like mosquito bites, but all bug bites really look the same.  We've inspected the entire house thoroughly and haven't found evidence of anything...no fleas on the cats, no signs of bed bugs (thank God).  I put out a few traps to see what they'd catch, and the only thing that showed up were two little gnats. 

I've also noticed that, if I'm working at my computer at night with the windows open, these gnats will fly in through the screen, attracted to the light.  Is it possible these aren't gnats, and are actually some kind of biting midge?  Do we have those up here?

We have had ants off and on all summer -- the tiny kind, but I don't think they bite, and if there were ants in our bed we'd definitely notice.  Anyone know what this could be?  Driving us nuts.

[Tall Trees]

I had A similar experience with a rash that looked like mosquito bites and it was caused by an allergic reaction to laundry soap.  My doctor asked if I had changed any of the soap/lotion type products that I normally used at home.  When I told him that I had recently changed laundry soap he advised me to go back to the old brand.  I went back to old brand and the rash went away.

[Nolena]

Actually just got a bug bite last night, and don't know what from.
I'm pretty sure it's not alien zombie insect poltergeists, but I could always be wrong......

[Tall Trees]

Other than laundry soap or zombie insect poltergeists does anyone else have some ideas to share with TimG.  With over two hundred views on this topic I am sure someone might have an idea to share.  I have not noticed to many bugs this year due to the drought but that might change after this weeks thunderstorm activity over the village.

[TimG]

Thanks for the bump, Tall Trees!

The bites seem to have stopped (knock on wood!).  I read somewhere that bug bites can take up to a week to cause the histamine reaction, so my new theory is that we were eaten alive on our picnic at Lake Arrowhead on Monday, and the bites just appeared gradually over the course of the rest of the week?  That's the best I have.

I did find one new bug...a tiny earwig looking thing on the carpet, but no brothers or sisters, and that's checking thoroughly every night.  So still mostly clueless.  Couldn't be laundry because we always use the same brand of generic "free and clear" -- no change. 

[raven]

I had a couple of spider bites a few weeks ago - didn't feel them at the time but could tell from the two fang marks in the bites.  Since then they scabbed over, then turned to bruises which are getting bigger every day.  Kinda creepy!

[Dusty Wagoneer]

I had a couple of spider bites a few weeks ago - didn't feel them at the time but could tell from the two fang marks in the bites.  Since then they scabbed over, then turned to bruises which are getting bigger every day.  Kinda creepy!

Raven you should sooooo goto a doctor, and have that checked out right away.

[mothermom]

My daughter who is 5 woke up with about 5 little bumps that look exactly like Miskito bites. But after reading this thread I realize... we werent outside around the time Miskitos are out and her dad even suggested that maybe something bit her in her sleep. What could it be?

[tcaarabians]

Raven.. I agree with Dusty.. you should have that checked asap.

[Wrightwood]

Last month we had the same issue and never did figure out where the bites were coming from. Sometimes indoors and other times outdoors.

Should note that we don't have any pets except for a micro shrimp in a biosphere.

[TimG]

I had a couple of spider bites a few weeks ago - didn't feel them at the time but could tell from the two fang marks in the bites.  Since then they scabbed over, then turned to bruises which are getting bigger every day.  Kinda creepy!

They not supposed to be on the west coast, but that sounds kind of like a brown recluse bite:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_recluse_spider

Very unlikely, but I'd recommend seeing a doctor too!

[tcaarabians]

The brown recluse is totally on the west coast and in our neck of the woods. It is a very dangerous bite.. and I hope Raven goes to the
doc soon. Better yet.. go to Loma Linda .. it is really not something that you want to wait on. Think of it like the "Green Mojave Rattler" of
spiders. Better safe than sorry. I'm not trying to be alarmist here.. but Raven ,, the fact that it seems to be spreading does suggest something
that could be more serious.

Despite "Charlotte's Web" I use spider spray here.. both around the house and in the stalls. cheryl o7o

[sharyn]

I agree Raven, get to the doctor!  You can have major damage if that bite is from a brown recluse spider. 

I don't know if its true, but I heard a bite near the heart can cause death.

[tcaarabians]

Responding to myself... I just read Tim's wikipedia link. I don't care.. there was that horrible story of the woman down Ontario way that was
diagnosed with a brown recluse bite. This was a number of years back. It wasn't a pretty story. I also knew a woman that had that staph whatever
its called. She almost lost her legs. So, I still think that Raven should go to the doc and have it checked. Gee Raven.. aren't you glad now that
 you posted your booboo?  But, hey, we care about you. cheryl o7o

p.s. What are those black flying insects that I've never seen before. They're about an inch or two in length and just come out at dusk. We've never
had them before. So far, they haven't attacked.. but I walk around in a cloud of Off or horse spray anyway.

[in my dreams]

Well, its clearly a bite that needs attention! Get thee to a doctor ASAP. (BTW, there are no brown recluses in CA. http://spiders.ucr.edu/myth.html)

[lagomorphmom]

Well, its clearly a bite that needs attention! Get thee to a doctor ASAP. (BTW, there are no brown recluses in CA. http://spiders.ucr.edu/myth.html)

I'm familiar with the UC Riverside entomology dept's reputation, so I bow to this article.

It IS NOT unusual for spider bites to become infected by Staphylococcus aureus, however, so I would also urge Raven to see a doctor, especially as noted, since the margin keeps getting bigger.

[raven]

Thanks everyone!  I will!

[tcaarabians]

And, Raven.. when I had an infected cat bite and went to the ER and was shot up with antibiotics.. the doc drew a circle around it and
said.. if it spreads outside this circle .. get back here right away. So, as big as a pain that it is.. go.  We're just going to nag you until you
do. So, you might as well go.

I'm reserving my position on brown recluse spiders.. but the evidence is pointing away from that. That staph infection is even worse. 
all best, cheryl o7o

[RennMan]

When I was working in Kansas a few years back, two different co-workers got bitten by a brown recluse spider.  The results weren't pretty, and they both ended up going to the local ER for treatment.  Brown Recluse spider bites are nothing to be trifled with.

Raven, please let us know how this turns out!

Peace

[The Boys Dad]

Have very little fear of the Brown Recluse around here but here is the results of a bite from one.


http://www.brownreclusespider.org/brown-recluse-spider-bite-picture.htm