Ways To Relieve Itchy Bug Bites

Bug bites are something that all of us have to deal with at one time or another. They range from annoying mosquito bites to more serious venomous insect bites. They come in different degrees of itching, swelling and side effects—both short-term and long-term.

Here are some simple ways to relieve itchy bug bites.

1. Mosquito Bites

To relieve itchiness on the skin, apply some toothpaste to the affected area for 10 minutes. 

You can also make a paste out of baking soda and water (three parts baking soda plus one part water) then apply it to your skin. Allow it to stay for about 15 minutes before rinsing it off. 

Essential oils have also proven effective in relieving itching caused by mosquito bites. Try applying tea tree oil or lavender oil to your skin.

If you’re struggling with more than just a mosquito bite and need to rid yourself of these or any other pests, call Midwestern Termite & Pest Control.

2. Bee Stings

The best treatment for bee stings is to scrape the sting out of the skin, which will release the venom from the sting sack on top of the bee's abdomen. Then apply an ice pack to reduce swelling and pain—don't scratch!

3. Fire Ant Bites

Mix baking soda with water then apply it to your bite for relief (about one cup of water plus two tablespoons of baking soda). 

Another trick you can try is taking a paste made out of crushed black walnut hulls (you can find these at the health food store) and water.

4. Chigger Bites

To relieve itching from chiggers, soak in a bath or sauna as soon as possible after being bitten. You could also try placing iodine solution on the affected area or dabbing on pure castor oil mixed with camphor or lanolin. 

Struggling with a pest problem? Midwestern Termite & Pest Control’s Residential Pest Control Services can help.

5. Spider bites

Use tea tree oil to treat spider bite itches. The same baking soda paste mentioned above can be applied to spider bites to relieve the itch as well.

6. Flea Bites

A baking soda paste will also relieve the itching from flea bites. You could also try applying an aloe vera gel or calamine lotion to the area three to four times a day until itchiness subsides.

7. General Bug Bites

To relieve itching from bug bites, try using calamine lotion or an anti-itch cream like Cortaid or hydrocortisone cream (not cream with any other active ingredients as this will make it worse). 

If itching persists, apply wet peels of raw potatoes to the bite. Potatoes contain anti-inflammatory properties that will help reduce swelling in the bite. Just peel off a piece of potato and rub it on the bite until the juice is dry. Leave for at least 15 minutes then rinse with water.

If any of these bug bites were caused by an infestation, know you are not alone. Contact Midwestern Termite & Pest Control today.