Are you getting sandfly bites when you’re trying to enjoy the sun? Do you want to know how to get rid of sandflies bites? In this article, we’ll be discussing critical information about sandflies, their lifecycle, how to repel sandflies, and more.
What are Sandflies?
Sandflies are a common name given to blood-feeding flies from the Order Diptera and family Ceratopogonidae. There are more than 200 species of biting midges across the country, but only a few of these can pose a serious risk or nuisance to humans.
While they are commonly called sandflies, this is an inaccurate name. They are biting midges, which are tiny, often reaching sizes of just 3mm at most with some species only being 1mm. Therefore, they are typically so small that people do not notice them biting them.
Sandflies bites will happen to any exposed skin during the season.
General Information About Sandflies
Sandflies occur in the coastal and inland areas of Western Australia, typically in the tropical/subtropical areas. They tend to prefer habitats near sand estuarine/foreshore areas or mangrove swamps. You can also find them in coastal areas of north-west Australia.
Their movements can be relatively limited, with some not flying more than a few hundred metres from their breeding grounds. However, it is possible that some will travel several miles to find prey.
Sandflies bites tend to happen under calm conditions, and they’re crepuscular, meaning you’re more likely to be bitten at dawn or dusk. However, if it is an overcast day you might get bitten and sometimes they will continue to bite during the night.
Their breeding behaviour is very similar to other biting flies. They use water bodies to lay eggs in. They will also lay eggs in damp soil, decaying plant matter, and other substrates. The larval hatch as worm-like and live in the substrate, turning into a cocoon-like pupal, and then the adult emerges. This process can vary from species to species but also environmental conditions, with the process taking between 3 and 22 weeks.
The adults will tend to emerge during a new or full moon. Their adult phase can last for several days to months, depending on which specific species it is.
Biting sandflies are females of the species as the males only feed on plant nectar. The female requires blood to develop eggs.
Health Implications for Sandfly Bites
Sandflies bites are not known to cause any human-to-human transmission of diseases in Australia. However, due to global warming, this might change in the future. But regardless, a bite from a sandfly might cause an allergic reaction. This can be very painful or irritating.
The reaction’s severity will vary. Those who are regularly exposed to sandfly bites tend to become desensitised. Usually after some time, they will only experience a very mild reaction, if they experience an allergic reaction at all.
Tourists are often those who experience the most severe reactions because they don’t have any history of bites. The reaction can display as a red, swollen injury area. The size can be small, but it can be several centimetres in diameter.
The bite can happen hours before symptoms display which can include painful areas of the skin that itch. Blisters may also form and in some cases, they might weep.
Scratching these can cause a secondary bacterial infection.
Treatment of Sandfly Bites
While there is no direct treatment for the bite of a sandfly, you can use symptomatic treatment, where you’re treating the symptoms rather than the bite itself. The easiest treatment is an ice pack applied to the bite for relief. You can also use an antihistamine.
If you do experience a secondary bacteria infection, antiseptic cream or antibiotics might need to be taken. There are times when medical advice might need to be sought.
Sandfly Bites vs Mosquito Bites
It is no surprise that sandfly bites and mosquito bites are often compared. They are, after all, similar insects filling the same ecological niche. And their similarities are many. With similar breeding cycles, reactions to bites and perhaps even medical intervention are required.
However, there are two differences. Sandflies tend to be more active during the dawn and dusk periods, whereas mosquitoes are more night-time feeders.
In addition, mosquitos are known to transmit diseases to humans, and this can be a specific concern, especially if you live in certain areas of Australia or even the world.
What Repels Sandflies?
Because sandflies are often found outside, it can be harder to deter them. Instead, you need to find ways to stop them from biting you when out and about. Here are some options.
Use Sandfly Repellent
To repel sandflies, you can use lots of sandfly repellents on your skin. These lotions or sprays are good at creating an odour on your skin that repels sandflies with ease. However, they aren’t always very pleasant and sometimes can be irritating, especially if you have scratches or cuts on exposed parts of your skin.
Cover-up
Another typical solution is to ensure that you’re covered up as much as possible. This includes wearing long-sleeved shirts, trousers, and a hat. This coupled with a repellent can be a great option for those wanting to go for long walks near sandfly habitats.
Sandfly Catchers
If you’re planning a camping trip, you might want to consider taking some sandfly traps. These small portable traps are designed to attract sandflies and mosquitoes and then trap them in the device. These can be great for placing around tents and other places to ensure sandfly bites are kept to a minimum.
Envirobug sandfly catchers are safe for use around children and pets and can be used on a campsite or in the home. They’re an affordable option for those who are looking to protect themselves and their family from sandfly bites.
Final Word: Best Sandfly Repellent
Sandflies are a pest. The best sandfly repellent is a mixture of ensuring you’re protecting yourself with clothes and sprays as well as using repellents around campsites or gardens. Using these can help stop them from biting you, which can be a huge irritation.
