Wasps
The humble wasp (and closely related hornet) can give a nasty sting if it feels threatened, leading to itching and swelling. And wasp stings aren’t always harmless. Stings from wasps cause the most allergic reactions in the UK.
You won’t have an allergic reaction after your first sting by a wasp, but you can develop a serious allergic reaction (also known as an anaphylactic reaction) after one or more stings have "sensitised" your system.
Prevent wasp stings: Don’t try to swat wasps away. You’ll just make them cross and more likely to sting you. Instead, calmly and slowly move out of their way. Like other stinging insects, wasps love bright colours so wear white or neutral clothes to deter them. Look out for wasps' nests in your home or garden and have them removed immediately by your local council or a pest control expert when you find them.
See a doctor if: you develop symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
Bees
A bee sting feels similar to that of a wasp. The difference is that the bee leaves its sting inside you and it’s important to remove it to stop infection setting in. Read how to remove a bee sting.
Bee stings are painful, but unless you have an allergy to bees, they’re unlikely to cause serious damage. If you're allergic to wasp stings, don’t assume you’ll also be allergic to bee venom. Bee and wasp venoms are different and people who are allergic to wasp venom are rarely allergic to bee venom.
Prevent bee stings: Stay still and calm while a bee buzzes around you. Bees love sweet drinks and the last thing you want to do is swallow one, so be sure to look before you sip your drink at picnics and barbecues.
See a doctor if: you develop symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
Ticks
Strictly speaking, these small spider-like creatures aren't insects, but ticks are increasingly becoming an unpleasant feature of strolls through UK woods, moors or thick grass. Once they’ve latched onto you, ticks cling to your skin and suck your blood. The bite doesn’t really hurt, but certain types of tick can transmit a condition called Lyme disease. Therefore, remove a tick as soon as you spot one on your skin.
Prevent tick bites: Wear long sleeves and trousers when you're walking in forested, overgrown areas and use a tick repellent.
See a doctor if: you get a circular rash spreading out from where you were bitten or you develop the symptoms of Lyme disease.
Send any ticks you collect to the Health Protection Agency and they'll identify them for you. Find out more about the HPA's Tick Recording Scheme.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are a nuisance. Their bites cause intense itching and swelling and spoil many a picnic and camping trip. But while they transmit deadly diseases in other parts of the world, they don’t cause major harm in the UK.
Prevent mosquito bites: Smells and bright colours attract insects. Avoid using scented hand or body creams and strong perfumes and sparkly, colourful jewellery if you’re going to spend time outside. Insect repellents are also effective. Don't forget to cover up and use repellent at night if you're camping. Read more about how to treat mosquito bites.
Midges
Midges are the scourge of trips to the Scottish Highlands and a common feature throughout the rest of the UK, especially on damp and cloudy summer days. Midge bites don’t transmit illness but they’re painful, itch intensely and can swell up alarmingly.
Prevent midge bites: Midges tend to attack in swarms, especially in hot weather, so use an insect repellent and cover up at dawn and dusk. Protective gear, such as mesh covers for your face, can be very effective too.
Ladybirds
The harlequin ladybird is a recent invader to our shores, but in the space of just a few years has colonised much of the UK. They’re bigger, rounder and more aggressive than native ladybirds such as the two spot and seven spot. All ladybirds can nip, but harlequins seem to bite more than others.
How to spot it: The harlequin ladybird can be red or orange with multiple spots. Look out for a white spot on its head – native red ladybirds never have white patches.
Prevent ladybird bites: Wear gloves when gardening, but try not to intentionally kill harlequin ladybirds. It’s hard to selectively get rid of them without hurting native ladybirds, and all ladybirds are good for the garden.
Bedbugs
Bedbugs are a growing problem in the UK. They don’t carry disease, but their bites cause itchy red bumps. Some people have a serious skin reaction with blisters that can become infected.
What to do: If you think your home is infested with bedbugs (tiny black spots on your mattress and bed are a giveaway), get a pest control expert to treat it straight away. Don’t be embarrassed – bedbugs are not a sign of a dirty home. Read more about bedbugs.
Horseflies
A large, hairy fly whose bite can be extremely painful, the horsefly tends to bite on warm, sunny days, especially the head and upper body.
Prevent horsefly bites: The horsefly doesn’t spread disease, but as its bite cuts the skin rather than piercing it, horse fly bites are very painful, take longer to heal than other insect bites and can easily become infected, so cover up and use insect repellent. Read what to do if you have an infected insect bite.
Ants
Our most common ant, the black garden variety, doesn’t sting, but the UK has red, wood and flying ants that do, especially in warm weather or when threatened. You’ll feel a nip, but it’s all pretty harmless as ants have less toxin in their sting than wasps or bees. The only evidence you’ve been stung will probably be a pale pink mark.
Prevent ant bites: Use over-the-counter ant repellent.
Spiders
You may be surprised to know that a number of spiders in the UK are capable of giving a nasty nip – usually after rough handling or if they become trapped in your clothes. You can tell it’s a spider bite because it leaves little puncture marks. According to the Natural History Museum, false widow spiders, so-called because of their similarity to the more poisonous black widow spider, are the main culprits and typically give bites that cause pain, redness and swelling.
Prevent spider bites: Don’t disturb spiders if you can help it – they tend to bite you only when they feel threatened.
Manage your symptoms at home and make sure your bite or sting doesn’t get infected by using this bites and stings symptom checker.
Read more about insect bites and insect stings.
