Anyone else being bitten to shreds?

[AWinter]

A few days ago my dad came home from the yard with about 30 hives/bites all down one leg and in his waistband, I soon regretted laughing when a similar thing happened to me the next day. Bizarrely I don’t get bitten where my skin is exposed only under my clothes! I have found the culprit it’s a tiny, narrow black fly/beetle thing.

I’ve just come home for the 3rd day with a fresh track of about 20 bites running from my arm, up over my shoulder and down my back, it’s getting a bit ridiculous. Any ideas how to stop them getting under my clothes??

 

[Pinkvboots]

I was getting terrible bites on my head and neck a while back been ok lately but I've been spraying jungle repellent so maybe try that.

 

[ponynutz]

I am a magnet for bites every year - I feel your pain

 

[Vodkagirly]

I have loads as well really itchy despite taking anti histamine and using cream. Must remember to use spray

 

[lynz88]

Hmmm....I seem to be ok. No bites anywhere. But then again, bugs don't generally like my skin or blood

 

[meleeka]

Bugs love me too. I spray my ponies and myself as soon as I get to the yard in the evenings. I had some wrist bands last year which did help. I must order some more.

 

[dorsetladette]

I'm covered in bites this morning.

The grass in my 'yard area' has got really long and my ankles are covered in bites today.

Also my legs are covered this morning even though I was wearing jeans yesterday.

 

[AWinter]

Got 3 more on my back this morning but I felt it happen and managed to get rid of the bloody thing. It’s so strange as I don’t get bitten where my skin is exposed, it’s like they’re crawling under my clothes then biting as they’re stuck in there. My tactic this afternoon is to tuck everything in and put something oily/creamy around my sleeves and neckline, will report back I look like I have chicken pox and it’s my birthday on Friday

 

[Fransurrey]

I'm bitten to smithereens, too, but not on hands/wrists, which has been in contact with neem/BB concoction. Might just smother myself in that!

 

[AWinter]

So we have identified the culprit as a type of thunderfly, apparently they like to go under clothes to find safety, caught 2 in my sock today when I felt the itch despite me tucking my trousers into my socks.

Going to drown myself in fly spray tomorrow, hopefully the rain we’re due will kill them off, it’s so ridiculous but it’s making me a bit anxious. I will attach a photo of my poor dad’s leg they really did a number on him.

 

[dorsetladette]

I currently look like I'm wearing a sausage boot on my right ankle it's so swollen.

 

[Jambarissa]

That sounds terrible, I don't think we get anything like that. I'm not even seeing any flies or midges here at the moment, although tasty pony has huge lumps on the tiny bits of uncovered skin.

I think if they're little and crawly then oily stuff will trap them. I bet neem oil would be good but you will stink for days so you'd have to be desperate.

Maybe a hazmat suit?