Meszka - an insect belonging to the group of long-sensitive flies, it occurs in all climatic zones. And although the fluff we meet does not pose a great threat to human he alth and life, their bite is very unpleasant. What does a fluff look like, when it can attack us and how to scare off fluff? Read how to cope when these little insects appear in our garden.
There are approximately 1,750 species of fluff worldwide known. Some of them are very dangerous, e.g.species living in Africa or near the Mississippi. They attack people not only carrying dangerous diseases, but they are also a great nuisance for cattle breeders. Cows, horses, pigs, sheep and mules are swarming in swarms, sucking their blood, entering the animals' nostrils, eyes, ears and throat. They can even cause suffocation by obstruction of the airways. The fluff that appears in our gardens is not that dangerous, but they can also be quite a nuisance, so it is worth knowing and using popular methods for fluff.
Meszki: what do they look like?
Mids are small insects, ranging in size from 1.5 mm to 10 mm, depending on the species. On average, they are about 3-6 mm long. Most of them are dark in color, which is why their English name is black fly. The naps have long, expressive antennae, short, thick legs and iridescent wings, which are arranged in a canopy during rest. Sometimes flies are confused with fruit flies because they are actually a bit like them.
These insects live in large clusters, most often near clean watercourses. Males eat nectar from flowers and plant juices, females are hematophages, which means that they parasitize the host and suck blood from the host, such as leeches, ticks and mosquitoes. There are about 50 varieties of nap in Poland.
Fluff: where do fluff come from?
Black flies live in a humid environment, most often near tanks with running water. Females lay 200 to 500 eggs into the water, from which the larvae hatch after 2-3 weeks. In the initial stage, they resemble caviar and are not at all similar to adults. They eat the dead remains of plants and animals and their faeces, located at the bottom of water reservoirs. Thanks to this, they contribute to the purification of rivers.
After 6-8 weeks the larvae pupate. Adult hairs get out of the water in the air bubble and fly away. In the period from April to August, depending on the weather, up to four generations of fluff may appear.The pupae of the last generation hibernate and in spring, as soon as it gets warmer, new clouds of fluff appear.
Meszki: do they bite?
Female naps need human blood to reproduce. Their mouthpieces are designed to cut open the skin and tear open tissues. Additionally, their saliva is toxic and contains enzymes that prevent blood clotting. Therefore, nap bites are worse than mosquito bites. In extreme cases, they can cause anaphylactic shock or a serious disease called harara, to which infants and people in a state of alcohol intoxication are exposed. In the vast majority of cases, however, the bites of flies living in our climate zone are harmless, but bothersome. They cause an unpleasant itchy reaction, swelling and redness, and can cause minor infections. A fluff bite usually takes longer to heal and is more unpleasant than a mosquito bubble.
If you have already been bitten by fluff, you need to thoroughly wash the wound, and it is also worth drinking lime to avoid an allergic reaction.Apply anti-itching gel to the bite site, or you can make a baking soda compress. If the morning does not heal for a long time, and additionally there are other symptoms, such as large swelling, fever, vomiting, you need to see a doctor. You may need to apply a topical antibiotic.
Mids in the garden: when do they attack?
The fluff in the garden is activated when it gets warm. We usually deal with their plague in the period from April to the end of August. These small insects, unlike mosquitoes, do not attack at night, but only during the day. On hot days, they are active in the mornings and evenings, and on cloudy days, practically all day long. Also in shaded places they are on standby all the time. They get especially intrusive before the storm, because they need some extra food.
They are attracted by carbon dioxide exhaled by humans, which for the nap means that the host is nearby. Like ticks, these tiny insects roam the entire body looking for the most delicate place.The hairs are so small that it is sometimes difficult to notice them at all. They move in swarms and, unlike mosquitoes, they don't make any sound. The biggest bane is in areas near rivers and lakes.
Fluff in the garden: how to get rid of them?
What will act as a deterrent for naps? There are various insecticides available on the market, such as sprays or plugged devices that repel fluff. You can also spray in the garden in the spring, but this solution can be harmful to the plants. Although the possibilities are many, some people, instead of using chemical preparations, prefer to find a more natural way to get nap.
In the collection of seeds for sowing flower meadows you can find auxiliary plants in the fight against these insects:
Essential oils can be helpful in deterring these nuisance insects. They work as long as their smell lasts. Fragrances that repel fluff are mainly vanilla, lavender, mint, rosemary and eucalyptus.Clove oil, which works against mosquitoes, can also be helpful. A good way to get fluff in the garden is with fresh herbs with a distinctive scent that irritates the fluff. Lavender, mint or sage planted in the garden or on the balcony help to reduce the amount of fluff.
To avoid biting the fluff, it is good to wear clothes with long sleeves and legs, preferably in a light color. It is worth installing mosquito nets on the windows, and remember to cover the pram if you leave a sleeping baby in the garden.
