Mosquito bites itch within a few minutes and you may see a soft welt. Tick bites are painless at the time and appear alone, often with the tick still attached.
Nobody wants to find bite marks on their body after spending time outdoors. It helps to at least be able to figure out what’s biting you, though. Because that gives you an idea of what to do next.
Mosquito bites announce themselves. This is arguably the biggest difference. You’ll start to itch within a few minutes because your immune system will react to the saliva. Then you’ll see a puffy, soft, pale-centered welt that is maddening for a day and mostly gone the day after. You will likely see multiple bites in the same place because mosquitoes have a bad habit of swarming. These bites cluster in areas where skin is exposed like forearms, ankles, and the back of the neck.
Tick bites are quiet. Tick saliva contains compounds that numb the site and suppress the local reaction. Ticks want to go unnoticed for days. Typically, there’s no pain or swelling. Tick bites usually present as small red spots, alone. They’re often found in hidden locations like the hairline, waistband, armpit, groin, or behind a knee. You might see the tick itself attached, which could be as small as a poppy seed or as big as a pea.
Mosquito bites fade away quickly. Tick bites might stay red for a few days, which is normal irritation. However, with tick bites, watch out for an expanding rash in the days or weeks to follow, as well as flu-like symptoms. Lyme disease happens in Northwest Indiana and it’s very treatable when caught early.
If you’re tired of being bitten in general, Mosquito Squad of Northwest Indiana can help. Mosquito Squad treats for mosquitoes and ticks in the same visits. This can help you protect your family with up to 90% reduction in pest activity on a recurring 21-day cycle.
