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Brits warned over summer invasion of ‘Dracula horseflies’ that can bite straight through clothes

Home> News

Published 17:32 24 Jun 2023 GMT+1

Brits warned over summer invasion of ‘Dracula horseflies’ that can bite straight through clothes

The furious little blighters really are no fun to deal with

Joe Harker

Joe Harker

If you were looking for a new creature to detest this summer then look no further than the aptly named 'Dracula horsefly'.

Brits are being warned to factor them into their thinking this summer due to the changing climate conditions and the weather that has resulted.

The little blighters have a very painful bite which can go right through your clothes just to give you an indication of how much damage they can do.

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In addition to the pain of the bite, they also cause dangerous infections and swelling so they are not to be taken lightly and you would certainly want to stay away from them.

They are fast fliers and have a taste for blood, and if you get bitten by them you might need to take a course of antibiotics to combat a potential infection.

Horseflies are an absolute menace, they can bite through clothes and deliver a painful chomp.
Panther Media GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo

According to Antibiotic Research UK the sharp increase in their population only makes developing new antibiotic medicine as soon as possible all the more important.

Meanwhile, the British Pest Control Association has put the horsefly on its top tier of 'Bites to Avoid' along with those from the black widow spider and mosquitoes, so you know they're to be avoided.

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It warns: "Literally designed to eat a horse, their bite is both impressive and painful. The horsefly is a sanguivorous insect and therefore wants to bite you.

"They can persistently chase you at a flying speed of around 15mph, and it'll bite right through clothes. It has mandibles that can rip and tear flesh apart."

Sanguivorous, by the way, means they feed on blood so if they bite you then you know what they're after from you.

The BPCA advises removing standing water close to homes and paddling pools and hot tubs to help fend off horseflies.

A horsefly bite can become infected, so avoid them if possible and if you do get bit disinfect the wound before using an ice pack.
Panther Media GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo

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The NHS says horsefly bites can be 'very painful and leave the bitten area of skin red and raised'.

It's important to know that symptoms include a rash, dizziness, weakness and wheezing, short of breath and swollen limbs.

If you are bitten, it has been advised to dab the bite with antiseptic and cover the wound with an ice pack to avoid infection and swelling.

The bites are very itchy so they can take much longer to heal if they get scratched a lot.

NHS advice for people bitten or stung by insects advises them to get the stinger or barbs out of the wound as soon as possible if it's still in there before cleaning the wound and covering it with an ice pack.

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If you don't have antiseptic to apply to the bite them warm, soapy water will do, and you're advised not to follow old wives tales like pouring vinegar on it.

Featured Image Credit: Panther Media GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo

Topics: UK News, Animals, Health

Joe Harker
Joe Harker

Joe graduated from the University of Salford with a degree in Journalism and worked for Reach before joining the LADbible Group. When not writing he enjoys the nerdier things in life like painting wargaming miniatures and chatting with other nerds on the internet. He's also spent a few years coaching fencing. Contact him via [email protected]

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@MrJoeHarker

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