Bugs are bad at the barn this year. Maybe it’s a result of
all of the wet weather we have experienced. Flies, gnats, mosquitoes and the
dreaded No-See-Ums are hatching in multiple waves, extending their season of
oppression longer than usual.
As equestrians saddle up for outdoor schooling and trail
rides, many horsemen and horsewomen may be seen swatting at seemingly invisible
invaders. Even the most refined individuals may occasionally spit while mounted
or on foot.
Those dreaded bugs are everywhere, and they are particularly
attracted to faces. Like mosquitoes, most gnats and No-See-Ums are drawn to the
carbon dioxide we exhale. That’s why they seem to want to fly right into mouths
and noses.
Ugh! Does it get any grosser than that?
What is a No-See-Um?
These tiny insects are big annoyances to equestrians and
other outdoor enthusiasts. Although we can hardly see them, we can sense their swarming. We know they are there.
Scientifically known as Ceratopogonidae, No-See-Ums may also
be known as biting midges or punkies. They are related to sand flies and black
flies.
No-See-Ums are frequently found in wet areas. Although they
feed on plant nectar, the females among these insects bite humans, horses, ponies, donkeys, dogs,
birds, goats, lambs, cattle, and other animals to gather blood for developing
their eggs.
The resulting bites may become red, swollen, and quite sore.
In some cases, bites may grow infected. Horses can have allergic reactions to
No-See-Um bites, resulting in sweet itch.
Doesn’t sound very
sweet, though, does it?
Bug repellants can help to protect humans and horses. Fly masks
and fly sheets may minimize bug bites for equines, if they offer sufficient density
to shield against these miniscule creatures.
Eventually, the bug season will give way to cooler weather,
and the fall’s first frost will ban the bugs completely for another year. But
who wants to hasten the winter?
Image/s:
Biting Midge
Creative Commons Licensing
Photos
Feel free to follow on GooglePlus and Twitter. You are also
invited to join this writer's fan
page, as well as the Chicago Etiquette Examiner, Madison Holidays Examiner, Equestrian
Examiner and Madison
Equestrian Examiner on Facebook.
