People in the UK have been warned that swarms of horseflies with 'killer fangs' could attack, and their bites can cause serious health problems.
The current weather conditions of warmer temperatures paired with the occasional rain storm provide the perfect environment for the pests to breed. If a person is bitten, it can result in nasty skin infection such as cellulitis, which needs urgent medical attention and hospital treatment in some cases.
In more severe situations, those who suffer from allergies can even go into anaphylactic shock, causing their throats to swell up.
The Star reports that several people have shared their woes after being bitten by the pests, warning others to be careful.
Alice Duvall, from Amesbury, Wilts, said: "Was in my mum’s garden yesterday and this horrible thing landed on my arm and the bite was excruciating. Left a huge red blotch which began swelling straight away. It was a horse fly – there are loads of them all of a sudden in this weather.
"They’re really sneaky too – I never felt it land on me, I only knew when it bit me. It didn’t buzz or anything, like a wasp or bee would.”
Victim Dean Collins, from Brighton, said: "Was with my girlfriend in the park and just been bitten on the leg by a horse fly. Man, it’s so painful, far worse than a wasp sting."
The British Pest Control Association has put the horsefly on its top 'Bites to Avoid' list – along with those from the black widow spider and mosquitoes.
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."
To help fend off the pests, the BPCA recommends removing standing water next to homes and paddling pools. The NHS says horsefly bites can be "very painful and leave the bitten area of skin red and raised”.
Symptoms include a rash, dizziness, weakness and wheezing. Victims are advised to dab bites with antiseptic and cover the wound with an ice pack to avoid infection and swelling.
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