Pesky nippers!

[Reedswood]

Hi

Whilst out gardening, we often have to trim back an assortment of bushes which adjoins our property from the forest next door, and I've been bitten by a small fly; not a mosquito, which starts off as a small red dot, then begins to itch and gradually gets worse, ending in swelling for a few days...it also ouzzes clear pus.

What flying insect can inflict such suffering?

[Tringa]

Sounds as if you have had a similar problem to me -

Blandford Fly

This is the current state of my right foot; can't get a shoe on.

[Susie]

Blimey. Ouch. That looks really sore.

Aren't peoples' feet fascinating to look at, they're all so different!

[Reedswood]

Hi Tringa

yes, looks like the 'Blandford Fly' from what I've read so far! They're tiny black flies that just seem to attack if you're cutting back trees etc...I was cutting down Ivy and blackberry bushes, and they where there...the swelling lasts for 3-4 days, and clear fluid secreates from the wound. They leave scar tissue as a parting gift!

Were you cutting back bushes, or just walking around?

[Tringa]

I was clearing weeds from an area of gravel, but the garden does have lots of bushes which I was pushing passed a lot as I worked.

I had four bites on the right lower leg before I realised they were having a nasty effect, but stupidly I did not do anything about it.

Dave