joidevie Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 Hi all...Every time I visit my house (in the south) during Summer, I quickly get bitten all around my ankles. Like midges or something. Itchy and annoying!Any offers on what is biting me and how to prevent them?Many thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceni Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 1. Only guaranteed cure - don't visit house.2. Wear very thick socks, wellies etc. at all times3. We burn citronella candles which defeat some of the little *******. Other than that your chemist will be delighted to sell you all manner of potions and lotions. Until you find something that works for you just remember "if you keep scratching, it won't get better".4. And don't expect sympathy from other family members/visiting friends who do not suffer in the same way.John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 Could it be fleas ? They live for ages quietly waiting for a fresh host to come into range...........[:(] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil & Pat Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 Around here (in the north) the flies bite. They look just like small houseflies but they certainly do bite my ankles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyh4 Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 Avon - skin so soft - I kid you not.Works for the boys out in Iraq and Afganistan, but AFAIIA not even Avon knows why. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Katie Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 [quote user="andyh4"]Avon - skin so soft - I kid you not.Works for the boys out in Iraq and Afganistan, but AFAIIA not even Avon knows why.[/quote]Avon what?I have been told that Savon D'Alep is good. Though I have not tried it.This could be a flea infestation. If an animal has previously lived in the house then these little critters are patiently waiting for their next meal. They are likely to be living under the skirting boards. I am not sure how long the actual flea lives, the the egg will last up to twelve years and hatch anytime within. So you may think your problem has gone the lo and behold...........Many homes where animals are present now have fleas. The owners are often unaware of this because as long as they have the animal to feed off they pose little problem for the owner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 Avon Skin so Soft is a product range, shower gels, body lotions, bath oils etc.Our last neighbours used to run a cat charity, when they sold the house and the present owner moved in they had to replace the skirting boards and have the walls replastered to rid themselves of the fleas. Gross ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 Do you have garden furniture on the grass, ie do you eat at a table which is on the grass? If you do, you could find yourself bitten to death. We moved our table off the lawn for that reason and, phew, what a relief. Midges and mozzies, particularly if it is humid.I suspect if it were fleas that you would be bitten a bit higher up (unless you wear long trousers all the time). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joidevie Posted August 8, 2008 Author Share Posted August 8, 2008 Clearly a lot of interest about bites!Well, it's not my house as I'm staying down the road this week and same problem! Fleas.. I'm not sure but hey, who knows..It's a village property.. Midges? And ankles only. Mosquitoes seem to leave me alone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patf Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 Dont forget the aoutats - the season is coming for them. Though they tend to bite higher up the body.Do the bites have a tiny blister in the centre? If so it's aoutats. Keep covered up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cassis Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 The aoûtats have definitely started. They dined out on me last week when I cut the grass wearing shorts. Back to long pants when working in grass.http://www.explic.com/2773-aoutat.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
osie Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 I have noticed lots of little flies that are translucent white... they bite me and the bite is very similar to a mosquito one.I have come across may mosquito's but the ones in France seem to be very elusive... They are quite big but seem to fly undetected.little shicks the lot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joidevie Posted August 8, 2008 Author Share Posted August 8, 2008 [quote user="Patf"]Do the bites have a tiny blister in the centre? If so it's aoutats. Keep covered up.[/quote]Without going into graphic detail, they itch and then seem to ooze a bit of clear/yellowish sticky 'resin' type stuff. Sorry if anyone's having their dinner! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joidevie Posted August 8, 2008 Author Share Posted August 8, 2008 .. Actually, these could be the culprit(s)! But then again, I'm in a village and don't mow any lawns as I have no garden! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cassis Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 [quote user="joidevie"][quote user="Patf"]Do the bites have a tiny blister in the centre? If so it's aoutats. Keep covered up.[/quote]Withoutgoing into graphic detail, they itch and then seem to ooze a bit ofclear/yellowish sticky 'resin' type stuff. Sorry if anyone's havingtheir dinner![/quote]Almost certainly aoûtats, as described above by PatF. Those are the classic signs. You can use antihistamines orally from the chemist for the itching but not creams on the tiny broken blisters. However, I would just wait it out. Itching wears off after about 3 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 Only three days? What happened to the seven-year itch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cassis Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 [quote user="sweet 17"]Only three days? What happened to the seven-year itch?[/quote]Okay, so it reappears periodically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 Cassis, you used to make me laugh and you still do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joidevie Posted August 9, 2008 Author Share Posted August 9, 2008 I might try some high power DEET which I use in India.. When do these guys leave us alone again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allanb Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 [quote user="joidevie"]Without going into graphic detail, they itch and then seem to ooze a bit of clear/yellowish sticky 'resin' type stuff. Sorry if anyone's having their dinner![/quote]There surely aren't people who read internet forums while having their dinner, are there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quarmby Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 Aoutats don't bite around the ankles. They travel up the body to foldy/sweaty bits - behind knees, armpits, naughty bits. Bites around ankles really do sound like fleas. You need to spray, and then spray again some time later - two weeks I think - to kill the new crop that will have hatched. Fleas can be eradicated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cassis Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 I was bitten behind the knees and around the ankles. Boots and socks = sweaty ankles! I even had one on the back of my hand and a couple on the inside of the elbow. [:@] They get me this time of year every year. Never bother the OH - but she doesn't strim and hack at grass. Much to sensible, leaves it to the unpaid labour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 [quote user="joidevie"]Without going into graphic detail, they itch and then seem to ooze a bit of clear/yellowish sticky 'resin' type stuff. [/quote]Its plasma normally, but if yours is 'resin' based you could probably make a lot of money from it.[:D][:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoddy Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 I get bites around the ankles too and I'm certain that it's not fleas. When I remember I use 'Jungle Formula' insect repellent which I bought from Tesco which seems to work. Hoddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odile Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 start taking Vitamin B complex about 5 days before you go - somehow they all hate the smell (it might make your pee smell a bit weird- so don't worry if you notice that!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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