to think that mosquitos should not be a thing in the UK?

[DonMosquiote]

I've lived in England for many, many years and may have the odd midge bite. This year for the first time ever, there have been mosquitos - yes actual fuck off mosquitos with the high pitched wine and everythign - in the garden and as it turns out in the house.

This is why I am posting. One of the bastards got in my bedroom unnoticed and had some kind of major banquet on my upper hip when I was sleeping without a sheet. I don't know if it's a pile of bites or a bite on a bite on a bite - but it's a bad scene. It's so itchy and the centre (which is massive) is virtually hard with the multiple hive reaction. The sporners would wet themselves with excitement to see it.

How did this happen?

I've never known mosquitos in the UK. certainly not in suburbs.

As a realted qu - how can I find the culprit? I've tried a light on a night to lure it out but no joy. Where would it hide in a bed room

True enough, nasty things. And you also need to make sure they are horseflies before you slap them away. Years ago I slapped away what I thought was a horsefly (there were a lot of them around), but then it turned out to be a wasp which stung me. Ouch!!

I don't usually slap things away, I usually blow hard at them. But yes, I wouldn't flick something off without looking. Last time I was bitten it was a spider, and I wouldn't want to hurt one of them.

I have to carry epipens for mosquito bites (reaction takes up to 12 hours, from little bite to what looks like a third knee, so I can see it building up) following anaphylaxis in France. Great first holiday with new boyfriend at the time. Apparently it's not super rare for people who have spent a lot of time in humid countries.

I was looking at that Amazon zapper thing recommended up thread and then googled about why it works. I found that apparently high heat destroys the protein that is in the mosquito saliva.

I came across various stuff that says you can do it with a hairdryer. I think it needs to be v. hot and you need to give it several blasts and you need to do it straight away.

But anyway - it appears to work. I got bitten outside and I could feel the itching and lump starting. I went for the hairdryer treatment. I had it very hot - the heat was a bit painful/unconfortable.

Amazingly the ithcing stopped. I'll have to see how the lump is tomorrow but I was amazed. I can't believe I never knew something so simple.