Why Do Sandflies Bite Me And Not Others

Sand fly bites everybody. But there are times it seems the bites only target some groups of people. Knowing what they are and why they bite may help understand why this is so.

Sand fly

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What Is Sand Fly

Sand flies are biting insects that share some similarities with mosquitoes, being classified in the suborder Nematocera. They are widely spread in regions with warm temperate to subtropical to tropical climates.

Why Do Sandflies Bite

Bites from sandflies (also known as blackflies) are a familiar nuisance during the warmer months. As with mosquitoes, it's only the females that bite and they use the extra nutrients from blood to produce more eggs. Females that don't get a blood meal produce fewer eggs.

Why Do Sandflies Bite Me And Not Others

The classic allergic response to a midge bite is a small, inflamed bite. Despite the size, the bites can cause acute discomfort, irritation and severe local reactions. Itching may commence immediately after the bite, but usually begins some hours later.

Most individuals are unaware they are being bitten at the time. Biting Midges have their greatest impact on people (i.e. tourists) arriving and visiting an area. Local residents tend to build up an immunity to the midge bites.

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There is an unconfirmed theory that women are more tasty than the men. Women attract these pests as it is the hormonal balance that the mozzies/sand flies like. To throw hormones off balance, they use vitamin B complex tabs.