The right treatment for biting insects depends on which one you have, and four culprits cover most cases in Faerie Glen homes: fleas, bed bugs, bird mites and mosquitoes. Each comes from a different source and needs a different treatment. Guessing wrong means paying for a treatment that doesn't touch the actual problem. So we start by asking questions and inspecting, not spraying.
A quick guide to the usual suspects
Fleas
Where you're bitten: mostly ankles and lower legs. When: any time, often walking through a room or sitting on a couch. Clues: pets scratching, tiny jumping insects on socks or carpet, black specks in pet bedding. Homes with dogs and cats, or homes recently vacated by people with pets, are the usual setting. More on flea treatment in Faerie Glen.
Bed bugs
Where: exposed skin while sleeping, often in lines or clusters on arms, shoulders and neck. When: overnight. Clues: dark spots on mattress seams, small blood spots on sheets, apple-seed sized bugs in bed joints. They arrive in luggage, second-hand furniture or visitors' bags. Our Faerie Glen bed bug service explains the treatment.
Bird mites
Where: anywhere, often with a crawling sensation. When: at night or when resting in one particular room. Clues: tiny specks moving on walls, ceilings or light fittings, and birds recently nesting in the roof, gutters or eaves above that room. See bird mites in Faerie Glen roofs.
Mosquitoes
Where: exposed skin, often hands, face and feet. When: evenings and at night, mostly in summer. Clues: the whine in your ear, and bites that appear after time outside or with windows open. They breed in standing water, and homes close to the reserve's stream or with water features may see more.
What isn't a biting insect
Not every itch is a bite. Skin reactions to washing powder, heat rash, dry winter skin and allergies can all look like bites. If you've had a thorough inspection and nothing turns up, it's worth seeing a doctor. We'd rather tell you that honestly than sell you a treatment that won't help.
How we work out what's biting you
- Questions first. Where are the bites? When do they happen? Who in the house is being bitten? Do you have pets? Have you travelled, had guests or bought used furniture? Have birds been nesting in the roof?
- Inspection. Based on the answers, we check mattresses and bed frames, pet bedding and carpets, the roof void and eaves, and the garden for standing water.
- Diagnosis. We tell you what we've found, show you the evidence where we can, and explain the treatment.
- Targeted treatment of the source, plus follow-up visits where the pest needs them, as bed bugs and fleas often do.
None of these treatments require you to move out, except in the rare case where fumigation is needed. Once treated surfaces have dried, kids and pets can use the rooms again.
The mistake that wastes the most money
Treating for the wrong pest. A common example: someone is bitten at night, assumes bed bugs, throws out the mattress and sprays the bedroom, but the actual cause is bird mites from a nest in the roof above. The mites keep coming because the nest was never treated. Another is treating the dog for fleas while the carpets stay full of pupae.
A local tip
Keep a simple bite diary for a few days before you call: where the bites are, what time you noticed them and which room you'd been in. In homes near the reserve, also note whether you've seen birds flying in and out of the roof. That small record often points straight at the culprit and makes our inspection quicker.
What does it cost?
An inspection to identify the pest is the first step, and the treatment cost then depends on what we find. Mosquito control is usually the simplest. Flea treatment depends on the size of the home and garden. Bed bug and bird mite treatments depend on how many rooms or nests are involved and how many follow-ups are needed. We'll explain the options once we know what you're dealing with.
For the city-wide picture, see biting insect control in Pretoria, and residents nearby can read about biting insects in Lynnwood. If something other than biting pests is bothering you, our guide to pests in Faerie Glen lists everything we treat in the suburb, from termites in the lawn to rats in the roof.
We're SAPCA registered, and if the pest we treated is back within three months, we will be too. Not sure what's biting? Ring 012 012 5526, or send pictures of the bites and anything you've found on WhatsApp.
Questions we get asked
How can I tell flea bites from bed bug bites?
Flea bites are mostly on the ankles and lower legs. Bed bug bites appear on skin exposed while sleeping, often in lines on the arms, neck and shoulders.
Why am I being bitten but my partner isn't?
People react differently to bites. Often both are bitten, but one person shows no reaction. The pest is still there.
Can bird mites be mistaken for bed bugs?
Yes, often. Both bite at night, but bird mites are tiny and linked to a nest nearby, while bed bugs live in the bed itself.
Should I spray my bedroom before you arrive?
No. Spraying can scatter bed bugs and mites and makes the inspection harder. Leave things as they are until we've had a look.
Do you treat mosquitoes inside the house?
We focus on breeding sites and resting areas around the house. Screens and nets help indoors.
What if you find nothing?
We'll tell you. If no pest is found after a proper inspection, the cause may be a skin condition or allergy, and a doctor is the right next step.