Summer is a time for fun, but spending more time outdoors can lead to an increase in itchy bug bites. Pests are nearly unavoidable in the summer, but that doesn’t mean they should run your summer fun. If you’re getting bit in your backyard, calling an exterminator is the best way to reclaim your space. After you’ve scheduled pest control service, here are a few helpful tips for treating existing bites and reducing the urge to itch.

4 Home Remedies to Soothe Itchy Bug Bites

1. Tea Bags

Tea bags aren’t just for making a pitcher of ice-cold sweet tea. Aside from making drinks, they have healing abilities and can draw out the fluid in bug bites. The fluid is what causes your skin to itch, and placing a cooled tea bag directly on the bug bite can provide quick and effective relief while you wait for an exterminator.

2. Ice

When applied to the skin, the cold compresses cause blood vessels to constrict. The compress slows the body’s ability to produce histamines, which cause that uncomfortable, itchy sensation. Hold a single ice cube or a full ice pack on your bites for instant relief. When your body is cold and itch-free, it won’t be a pain to wait for your local pest control agency.

3. Toothpaste

Another homemade bug bite remedy is sitting on your bathroom counter. Most toothpaste has peppermint flavoring, which contains menthol. The cooling and tingling sensation of menthol can trick your brain and relieve itching and other discomforts. It also can act as an astringent and reduce swelling, visually improving the bite by the time your exterminator stops by.

4. Milk & Water

Skim milk is packed with protein, which can be incredibly soothing for a bug bite. If you have a lot of bites, take a warm bath with two-thirds of a cup of milk. For spot treatment, dip a thin dish towel into a solution of half milk and half water, and dab it onto the bite two times a day. Milk and water usually are readily available and can be used to relieve the discomfort from mosquitoes, bed bugs, and other pests.

If the methods above do not help and bites appear swollen or infected, seek medical attention and request emergency pest control services. To keep mosquitoes, ants, and other pests away from your property this summer, you’ll need a skilled exterminator. Serving home and business owners in the greater Cincinnati, Ohio, area for over three decades, Select Pest Control has the tools and experience to take on a wide variety of pests. From the treatment of carpenter ants to bedbug extermination, these pest control specialists can help restore your comfort and peace of mind in just one visit. To learn why Select Pest Control is the go-to source for quality animal control in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, give them a call today at (513) 352-0080 or complete their convenient online contact form.