Greenhouse biting insects

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Julieanne

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Greenhouse biting insects
« on: November 17, 2020, 10:26 »
Hi, just joined the group for advice. Moved to new house and inherited a greenhouse. First time I cleared it of weeds and rubbish got bitten on lower legs by unseen bugs. Last week I knelt down to inside to move some brick edging and dig out roots and got bitten all over legs and across lower back! Masses of itchy bites that I could feel happening but couldn't see. There is a full water butt outside with broken lid and some pains broken, to replace in greenhouse. Could it be because of standing water? What can I do?
I always react badly to bites and am frightened to work in there now!

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Kleftiwallah

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Re: Greenhouse biting insects
« Reply #1 on: November 17, 2020, 10:39 »
Good morning Julieanne,  if there are any biting insect larvae in the waterbutt, a few drops of washing up liquid will break the surface tension and the larvae will sink and expire.  Welcome.

Cheers,   Tony
I may be growing OLD, but I refuse to grow UP !

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Aunt Sally

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Re: Greenhouse biting insects
« Reply #2 on: November 17, 2020, 18:02 »
Did the previous owner have a cat which may have used the greenhouse as an outdoor shelter.   

I’m thinking hungry fleas  :ohmy:

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Julieanne

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Re: Greenhouse biting insects
« Reply #3 on: November 17, 2020, 20:39 »
Don't know about a cat. The previous elderly owners both died last Autumn so the house has been empty. Today we were painting the fence right behind the greenhouse, I was wearing tight leggings to stop anything going up my trouser leg but felt something "prick" the back of my leg like a thistle but it was immediately itchy and is swollen and hot now! My husband never gets bitten. Would fleas survive outside? I'm thinking some sort of gnat and hope the winter weather will get rid. May try spraying in greenhouse with something.

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Aunt Sally

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Re: Greenhouse biting insects
« Reply #4 on: November 17, 2020, 23:00 »
Undisturbed and unfed an adult flea can live for 2 - 3 months.  The larvae that may be in the debris in the greenhouse/garden can live for up to 6 months.

It does sound more like a midge or mosquito though. Tony is right, add some washing up liquid or try draining the water butt and give it a good clean. 
 

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snowdrops

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Re: Greenhouse biting insects
« Reply #5 on: November 18, 2020, 08:39 »
Repair the broken glass in tge greenhouse & put a sulphur candle in there, that should see anything off, then the water butt as advised, after that you’ll know whether it’s an outside thing. For your skin try protecting it before you go out with something like you’d buy for going abroad, used to be called jungle something or other, I had to use it when I took on my Allotment as got bitten by everything but horseflies made me rather ill.
A woman's place is in her garden.

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and add a comment here

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AndyRVTR

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Re: Greenhouse biting insects
« Reply #6 on: November 18, 2020, 09:38 »
If it's midges Avons skin so soft works a treat!

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snowdrops

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Re: Greenhouse biting insects
« Reply #7 on: November 18, 2020, 17:04 »
If it's midges Avons skin so soft works a treat!

I knew there was an Avon product but couldn’t remember what it was called lol



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