There have been reports in the press this week about the Blandford Fly. The BBC reported that each doctor at the Belmont Health Centre practice in Hereford is seeing around five cases a week.
The Blandford Fly (sometimes called blackfly) is a small 2-3mm insect usually found in East Anglia, Oxfordshire and Dorset. Blandford Fly bites are most common during May and June. They often occur on the legs and can be very painful. The effects of the bites on humans range from small blisters to large (up to 22cm diameter) haemorrhagic lesions, which can produce intensely painful stabbing sensations. The saliva of the fly, which passes into the wound, often causes severe irritation, pain, swelling and blistering. Secondary infection of the lesions can also occur.
The Blandford Fly first came to the attention of public health officials in the 1960s. In a four-week period during the spring of 1972, 600 people were estimated to have visited their doctors in Blandford, Dorset to be treated for insect bites, hence the name The Blandford Fly.
The females require a blood meal before they can lay their eggs – humans and dogs seem to be particularly favoured and they normally bite during the day. Having had a blood meal the female must wait for its 200-300 eggs to mature before returning to a damp and shady spot, such as a river bank. The eggs adhere to soil particles in moist, humid conditions. If you need advice on fly control seek advice from a pest control expert.
What to do if you get bitten by the Blandford Fly
An insect bite often causes a small lump to develop, which is usually very itchy. A small hole (the actual bite) may also be visible. The lump may have an inflamed (red and swollen) area around it that may be filled with fluid. This is called a weal. Insect bites usually clear up within several hours and they can be safely treated at home.
If the area becomes swollen, sometimes spreading to another area, see a doctor immediately. The bite may have become infected or you may have developed a sensitivity.
The NHS advices that if an insect bites you, you may become ‘sensitive’ to its saliva. This means that if you are bitten again by the same or a similar species, it can provoke a local reaction. A local reaction is a reaction that is confined to the area of the bite.
For example, you may develop:
- an itchy papule (lump)
- an itchy weal (an inflamed, fluid-filled area)
This may last for several days and the severity of the reaction will depend on your level of sensitivity.
If you are very sensitive to an insect bite, you may experience anaphylaxis (also known as anaphylactic shock). This is when your immune system (the body’s defence system) reacts badly to the insect bite. However, anaphylaxis after an insect bite is rare. You are more likely to have an allergic reaction if you are stung by an insect.
It is important to know the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction. If you or someone you know is bitten or stung by an insect and experiences a severe reaction, emergency medical treatment will be required.
Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction may include:
- wheezing or difficulty breathing
- severe itching or a blotchy rash over many parts of your body
- severe swelling that may be visible in your lips or tongue
- dizziness
- nausea (feeling sick)
- chest pain
Call 999 for an ambulance if you or someone you know has these symptoms after being bitten or stung by an insect. Simple precautions like wearing long sleeved shirts and trousers will act as a deterrent to getting bitten by the Blandford Fly. Stay away from clouds of flies on river banks because they can bite.
According to BBC H2G2 the blackfly can be a disease carrier in other parts of the world:
I’m very glad that, in England, all we have to worry about is itching and swellings!
I’ve just discovered that there is an ale called the Blandford Fly with some medicinal qualities!
According to local folklore, zingibain can help alleviate the itching and swellings caused by the Blandford Fly (Simulium posticatum) and is a constituent of ginger. So the Blandford Fly ale, which is subtley flavoured with ginger, is seen as an antidote.
According to Badger, who make the ale:
In 2002 Kingsbury Water Park was closed due to Black Fly bites. I moved to Kingsbury later that year and suffered quite badly in 2003 as I was unaware of the problem. I still get bitten several times a year despite taking precations; wearing long trousers and using insect repellant.
The bites last up to 10 days and itch dreadfully but I have never had any infection or associated shock. I have tried most creams and sprays to relieve the itching and find Lanacane to be the most effective. The itching is particularly bad at night so I take an antihistamine to help me get to sleep. After 3-4 days the itching subsides and the lump gradually goes away – until the next bite!
I live in Stourbridge, West Midlands & have experienced bites in the last 7-8 years. Usually avoid the garden in May-June time, but have been bitten twice in my garden on 24.07.2011. Be careful if the swelling continues after 2-3 days, as you may have a problem with Cellulitis, & the infection could end up in your Lymph Glands – then you may need antibiotics to clear it. The little swines are usually active in the morning or at dusk & usually at less than 50cm off the ground, & have a flying ‘style’ all of their own – very stealthly!
Got bit yesterday by a tiny black fly on my right forearm while out in the garden in Gloucestershire. I knew exactly what would happen as it occured last year on my other forearm. A slight pain in my arm like a pin prick made me look down and see this pesky little black fly biting into my arm. I brushed it off and it revealed a minute drop of blood where it had bitten me. Within a couple of hours it had become swollen and today more so. Also leaking a bit of pus too.
Not sure if it’s the Blandford fly or not. But it’s the same tiny black fly that had me last year and it took several weeks to heal completely.
I got bitten on both legs 16.8.11, while washing the car on a warm evening (wearing shorts). Same as Molby above – felt a sharp pain and brushed off whatever it was, 24 Hours later both shins / calves swollen up. Puncture wounds bled & leaked pus. 48 Hours later left ankle swollen up and finding it painful to walk or use Clutch when driving. 72 Hours later swelling on legs gone down & bite marks dried up, but left ankle still swollen & painful to walk or drive. Great – it’s the weekend & I can’t walk to the Pub ! Internet came up with Blandford Fly – which specifically mentions Joint swelling & pain – Mosquitos don’t.. Now wondering whether to go to NHS Walk In Centre – see if they’ll give me Antiobiotics, as I reckon Ankle Joint might be infected.
More likely most of these are Horsefly bites, especially the sharp pinprick bite and visible blood. Bland ford flies tend to bite in large numbers and the bites are hardly noticed at the time. Common cleg flies are small, blackish brown flies that typically bite in warm humid weather. Try Googling “Cleg”
Rob
I live in Erdington, Birmingham and i’ve suffered with bits for several years now. I got bitten in the garden last Saturday. Until now i have never seen what has bitten me, but this time i got a good look… yep the dreaded bland ford fly. I have a nasty swelling on my forearm that runs from my wrist to my elbow, with a nasty blister that seems to leaks what looks like clear fluid. These things are BAD NEWS. now i know what it is that’s biting me, ill be wearing long sleeves and trousers in the garden.
I always have a bad reaction to bites, which i thought were from garden ants. This time had to go to docs, had antibiotics for 14 days. If you scratch the itch, it rapidly spreads and is like fire, with swelling. After it healed I got bit again on both eye areas, and upper arm, the swelling was bad, and I was put on antihistamine tablets. To stop scratching, make a paste of bi-carb and water, apply on a pad, and lightly cover the whole area. (But NOT near eyes)!. Don’t remove for a few days, re-apply if nec. Make up an icepack to apply to help cool the area. I did not see any ants at the time, or any black flies. Sneaky devils.
Live in Wimborne Minster, about 10 miles from Blandford along the
river Stour where the fly appears to have originated in the UK in the 1970s. The local authorities have been spraying the river and did seem to have it under control. Someone in the local pub claimed to have seen some in their garden recently, I got bitten on the ankle yesterday. Didn’t know anything about it until showering this morning. Been itching all day and have a red weal and slightly swollen ankle. Seems the little devils are back in the river Stout!
Yup, Im just south of Wimborne about a mile form the stour and have been bitten twice this year. I rarely see the little blighters but you certainly know when they have bitten you. At the moment Ive got a lump the shape and size of a chicken breast on my forearm.
As for the iching. I discovered years ago that Garlic oil will stop any skin ich including bites and rashes. Get a bottle for the medicine cabinet. Put one tiny drop on the bite and let it soak in.
I live near the river in Richmond-Upon-Thames and for the last 3 years have been suffering from bites by little black flies, INSIDE my home. They bite thro’ several layers of clothing and even thro’ shoe leather! Been to A&Es and Doctors. I’m currently on antihistamine and antibiotics.
I suffer from COPD (lung condition) so can’t use too many sprays. I’ve tried repellants, including DEET. Got rid of all my houseplants and stopped buying flowers. Use bleach on all drains.
Take marmite plus vitamin B complex, plus garlic capsules. Tried several creams & ointments.
Tried Tea Tree Oil, lemongrass oil and cedarwood oil. They still bite me incessantly and severely disrupt my sleep. Had Rentokill visit twice, but they initially said they were fruit flies and then later called them crane flies. Checked them out online, but neither bite humans!
Can anyone help me get rid of them???
I farm a smallholding in the Trent valley, just south of Derby. The land is 100 year flood plain, flat, about a mile from the river. If you go out into the grass on a summer evening you are guaranteed to get bitten by small black flies that come out of the grass, but will fly up to head height. They’re about 2-3mm long, quite compact (ie don’t look like a house fly and at a glance look a bit like a small black beetle) and the first thing you are aware of is the itching. Very ocassionally you can feel the bite, but not often, and by then it’s too late. I know horse flies and these are not those. The bite is nowhere near as painful as a horse fly, but the lasting effect is much longer. I’d be interested to know what it is!
Your description of them being a bit like a small black beetle leads us to think possibly simulium or dilophus (fever fly) both species fall under what we would normally describe as midges. We hope this helps.