Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Controlling unwanted plants Biting insects

Good day,

I have a small pond which is 3' deep. I go in once a fortnight to trim the plants and remove dying vegetation. Of late I am getting terribly bitten all over. They are not water boatmen and I don't think they are mosquitos either. I am bitten under the water as well as above the water line. I do not get any red marks or rashes but it itches like crazy. I even put on two layers of clothing today and still got eaten pretty bad. They are particularly bad in amongst the plants. Does anyone know what the critters are and how to deal with them? They are particularly bad in amongst the plants. Many thanks

Are you sure its bugs and not a plant like sting nettle?

It feels like stinging nettles but I do not have anything like that nearby. I do not get a rash like stingers or red bumps like mosquitoes. I am not too sure if I am bitten under the water or if my legs are bitten as I am getting into the water. It is definitely worse around the plants. Can't see the critters at all though.

I'm stumped.

Are these insects in Barbados?

Yes, we are in Barbados. We get these insects we call sand flies, even though they are not at the beach. They usually bite the bottom of your legs, especially at this time of the year; when it is more humid. They are irritating but hard to see, so these may be an over abundance of sand flies I guess. Although sand flies do not usually itch so much.