For weeks now, we have received a number of emails and messages on an incandescent topic in Spain, the black fly.

A flying insect of 6 mm in length, native to the peninsula that until now has not transmitted diseases as if it happens in other countries such as sub-Saharan Africa, Brazil and Venezuela, among others, and which, due to changes in temperature caused by climate change and globalization, can become a serious risk factor also in Spain, according to the National Association of Environmental Health Companies (ANECPLA).

The black fly transmits diseases such as “river blindness”, an infection that has caused blindness to more than 270,000 people worldwide, according to the WHO. The fact is that it is precisely in the environment of rivers that the proliferation of this insect is most invasive.

His bite does not consist of a simple bite, but rather bites like a saw blade tearing through the skin, where he has previously inoculated a small dose of anesthesia that allows him to bite without us even realizing his presence, causing significant serious injuries that can lead to bleeding infections and swelling, which in many circumstances require hospitalization.

How to act? The tendency in these bites is to scratch, something that we must avoid under any circumstances since it worsens the wound and can spread the infection. It is best to apply ice or corticosteroid cream and go to a medical facility. Tips on how to eliminate flies and their presence: The black fly is a daytime insect, capable of penetrating under clothing until it reaches the skin of its victim. ANECPLA advises us to:

• Avoid areas close to rivers or swampy areas in the late afternoon.
• Do not accumulate uncovered water basins outside the house.
• Check household drains.
• Wear light clothing that does not attract the attention of insects.
• Place mosquito nets on the doors and windows of the house.
• To kill flies, use insecticides that are very effective against these insects such as Vinfer Maton XL.
• If you're looking for a way to ward off flies with a natural insecticide for plants, try our Citronella Air Freshener for your home.