In Wisconsin, most bug bites and bee stings don’t cause long-term harm, but there are many treatment options that can help discomfort like itching, redness and minor swelling. Bees are common in the dairy state, along with other Wisconsin bugs like mosquitoes, ticks, deer flies, gnats, chiggers and biting midges.
Below is a quick comparison guide of common bugs in Wisconsin:
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are found in the summer and early fall near standing water, forest and tall grasses, according to Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS).
Only female mosquito bites cause itchy red bumps. However, they can transmit diseases like West Nile virus and Jamestown Canyon virus. Kathy Kaczmarowski, Care My Way nurse practitioner with Marshfield Clinic, said West Nile Virus and Jamestown Canyon is relatively rare in Wisconsin.
To prevent mosquitoes, you should use insect repellent with active ingredients registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and safe for kids. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, bug spray shouldn’t be used on babies younger than 2 months, and oil or eucalyptus-based products shouldn’t be used on kids younger than 3 years. Kaczmarowski recommends at least 30% DEET to be more effective.
“For children and adults, do not use sunscreen mixed with DEET because the sunscreen needs to be reapplied every few hours,” Kaczmarowski said. “DEET is safe for pregnant women and children, but if you are nervous, you may use 10-30% on children.”
You also can wear long sleeves and pants and use mosquito nets or eliminate standing water around your home.
Once you are bit, clean the bite area with soap and water. Apply anti-itch creams or take antihistamines to reduce itching. Use products with ingredients like hydrocortisone, pramoxine, lidocaine, colloidal oatmeal and sodium bicarbonate.
Ticks
Ticks are active in the spring, summer and early fall in Wisconsin. They are typically found in wooded areas, tall grass, and brush. Some ticks can transmit Lyme disease, which is most common in Wisconsin, and other infectious diseases.
Like mosquitos, use insect repellent more than 10% DEET or permethrin-treated clothing.
You also can wear long sleeves, pants, and tuck pants into socks. Perform tick checks after being outdoors. Remove ticks promptly with tweezers, clean the area with antiseptic, and monitor for symptoms of tick-borne illnesses.
“Lyme disease, if tick is infected, typically takes 36 hours to transmit and needs to be attached that long,” Kaczmarowski said. “Many times, we don’t know how long these things are attached. Once removed, if you have concerns about transmission of Lyme you may contact Care My Way for Lyme’s preventative treatment.”
Deer Flies
Deer flies are another bug that the females bite with blade-like mouthparts, causing painful, itchy wounds. They live near swamps, marshes, ponds and wooded areas, and are active May to September, but most active in June and July.
Deer flies can transmit diseases like tularemia, according to Wisconsin Horticulture – University of Wisconsin-Madison.
To keep deer flies away, wear light-colored clothing, use insect repellent with more than 10% DEET, and avoid areas with high deer fly activity. Use physical barriers like a head net.
If you are bit, clean the bite area with soap and water. Apply ice packs to reduce swelling and use anti-itch creams.
Gnat and Biting Midges
Gnats and biting midges each live in moist soil or plants, near bodies of water. You also can find gnats near decaying organic matter, moist soil, and plants. Each are active in spring and fall.
Biting midges cause itchy, red welts when they bite but are more of a nuisance than a health threat.
Like keeping other bugs away, wear insect repellent with more than 10% DEET or picaridin. For gnats and biting midges, keep your windows and doors closed or use screens. Reduce breeding sites by eliminating decaying organic matter.
If your skin is irritated by the bite, clean the bite area with soap and water. Apply anti-itch creams or take antihistamines to reduce itching.
Chiggers
Another similar bug that leaves itchy, red lesions are chiggers. They live in grasses, weeds, forests, fields and near water bodies. Most active in late spring to early fall, theses bugs do not cause much harm but could cause irritation to your skin.
To prevent chiggers, wear long sleeves, pants, and tuck pants into socks. Use insect repellent with more than 10% DEET. Avoid walking in tall grass and brush.
If your skin is irritated by the bite, clean the bite area with soap and water. Apply anti-itch creams like hydrocortisone or calamine lotion. Take antihistamines to reduce itching.
Bees
Bees come in many different forms like honeybees to bumblebees. Bees sting rather than bite. You can find bees anywhere like gardens, meadows, forests and urban areas in spring to fall.
A bee sting can cause pain, swelling and allergic reactions in some people. They are crucial pollinators and generally sting only in defense.
To prevent bee stings, avoid wearing bright colors and strong fragrances. Stay calm and move away slowly if a bee approaches. Keep food and drinks covered when outdoors.
If you are stung, remove the stinger by scraping it out with a flat object. Clean the area with soap and water. Apply ice packs to reduce swelling and take antihistamines for itching. Seek medical attention if you experience severe allergic reactions.
Allergic reactions due to bug bites or stings
Some people have a severe allergic reaction to bug bites or insect stings called anaphylaxis. Symptoms appear within seconds or minutes and may be life-threatening. Symptoms include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest tightness
- Sneezing
- Wheezing
- Hives
- Itching
- Swelling of the eyes, lips, or other areas of the face
You also may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sudden anxiety or dizziness. If you have life-threatening symptoms, go to an emergency department immediately.
Additionally, Kaczmarowski said reactions to a bite or sting typically peak in 2-3 days and subsides after 3-10 days. However, if you have questions, she recommends reaching out to your health care provider.
Stinging insects, such as bees, wasps, and fire ants, do not usually carry disease. But stinging insects can inject you with venom that can irritate your skin.
“Insect stings can be deadly to people who are severely allergic to the insect venom,” Kaczmarowski said. “People with known allergies should carry EpiPens.’
Care My Way® may be able discuss care options with you after a bug bite or bee sting. Download the app to get started.
For questions about bug bites or stings, talk to a Marshfield Clinic Health System provider.
Schedule appointment Message your provider
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