With Ireland’s long warm summer attracting more people outdoors, getting bitten by insects – or stung by wasps and bees – can be painful and have debilitating consequences.
Many of us have experience of the discomfort of getting bitten abroad in sunnier climes, but has the warmest and sunniest Irish spring on record, followed by some very hot July and August days in parts of the country, resulted in more biting insects here than usual?
While heat accelerates the development of eggs and larvae, resulting in faster breeding cycles for many insects, and warm and sunny days encourage more movement of bees, wasps and other flying insects, rain and wind can quickly destroy their habitats.
So, it’s too early to say if the 2025 weather conditions in Ireland drastically increased the number of insects. But the warm sunny days certainly encouraged humans out of doors much more, increasingly their likelihood of being bitten by horseflies, midges and perhaps even mosquitoes, or stung by bees or wasps. The warm weather also means that doors and windows are also left open more often – attracting more insects indoors.
RM Block
How best can I avoid being bitten by flying insects or stung by wasps or bees?
The best way to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, midges and horseflies is to cover up, especially when walking in fields, parks, woodlands and boglands. Keeping to footpaths and avoiding long grass reduces your chances of coming into contact with insects close to the ground. Wearing long trousers (lightweight hiking trousers are perfect, even on warm sunny days) with socks and shoes and long-sleeved tops gives flying insects little access to skin.
Bees and wasps are attracted to sweet-smelling foods and drinks, so when picnicking outdoors, it’s important to keep food and drink covered and to remain vigilant when eating and drinking. Don’t camp close to ponds or stagnant water as these can be areas where horseflies and mosquitoes proliferate.
Dr Diarmuid Quinlan, medical director of the Irish College of General Practitioners, advises people to wear light-coloured clothing and to avoid strong-smelling perfumes to deter insects.
He also recommends adults pay close attention to young children when families are able to eat outside in the summer months on beaches, in gardens or in parks. “Wasps can easily get into a glass bottle or a can, or land on an ice cream, so it’s important to be conscious of young children when eating and drinking outdoors,” he says.
People who are particularly prone to getting bitten should use insect repellent sprays just before going outdoors. Repellents that contain 50 per cent DEET (diethyltoluamide) are most effective, but the American Environmental Protection Agency also recommends oil of the lemon eucalyptus tree as a plant-based alternative.
[ 14 tips to prevent and treat insect bites and stingsOpens in new window ]
How will I know if I have an insect bite or a bee/wasp sting?
The general symptoms of bites and stings are pain, swelling and itchiness. “Most people will recover in a few hours, but bees leave a barb in your skin so it’s important to scrape it out with the edge of a nail or a bank card,” Dr Quinlan explains.
Ticks also remain attached to the skin and must be removed very carefully using tweezers, making sure to remove all of it.
What is the best way to treat an insect bite or a sting?
The treatment for insect bites and bee/wasp stings is the same, according to Paul Kelly from Kelly’s pharmacy in Tramore, Co Waterford.
The area around an insect bite or bee/wasp sting should be cleaned and kept clean to avoid it becoming infected. A cold compress can be placed on the bite or sting for about 20 minutes to reduce the swelling.
“The body releases histamines, so if there is a lot of swelling, take oral antihistamines to help reduce the swelling,” he says.
Dr Quinlan advises: “Anti-histamines are very safe and effective medicines which work fast and are absorbed into the body within 20 minutes.”
Anti-inflammatory topical treatments such as hydrocortisone cream will also help minimise itchiness, redness and swelling. Over-the-counter pain-relieving medications can be used to counter the effects of particularly painful bites, such as those from a horsefly.
Although it can be difficult, it is best to avoid scratching the surface of the bite or sting as this can open the wound and so increase the risk of infection. Broken skin which becomes further inflamed can, in rare cases, develop into cellulitis and require treatment with antibiotics. According to the HSE, cellulitis is a common bacterial skin infection that’s treated with antibiotics. It can be serious if it’s not treated.
The HSE online fact sheet on treating bites and stings advises people not to use home remedies such as bicarbonate of soda and vinegar as treatment for insect bites or bee/wasp stings.
Mosquitoes in Ireland don’t carry diseases such as West Nile virus and dengue, which are circulating via mosquitoes in southern European countries.
What if I suddenly feel nauseous, dizzy and feverish after an insect bite or sting?
Uncommonly, someone can have an allergic reaction to a bee sting or insect bite. If you feel suddenly nauseous, dizzy or feverish, or if you have a fast heart rate, swollen mouth, lips, tongue or throat and difficulty swallowing or breathing, call 112 or 999 or go to your nearest emergency department.
