Things You'll Need
Instructions
Examine each insect with the magnifying glass to get a closer more detailed look. Use a resource like the Internet to look up the insects that you have found.
Distinguish a mosquito from other biting insects. Mosquitoes are common during the summer months. They typically grow to approximately 0.6 inches in length. Mosquitoes possess thin bodies with three pairs of long legs and two wings. All mosquitoes have a long stinger-like proboscis that protrudes from the head.
Be familiar with the horse fly. Horse flies are typically found near water sources such as lakes, ponds and streams. They are some of the largest flies at approximately 1 inch in length. Some horse flies are light brown with large green eyes while others have black bodies and black eyes. They possess two wings and make a loud buzzing noise while in flight. Large horse flies can produce a very painful bite as they have knife-like mouths to pierce through flesh.
Identify the black fly. Black flies are typically found near rivers and streams. Their numbers are more numerous during late spring and summer. They are small as they only grow up to 1/8-inch in length. They are either black or gray in color with clear wings. Male black flies generally drink nectar while females drink both nectar and blood for nourishment.
Recognize a bed bug. Bed bugs are found in bedding, under loose wallpaper, in window treatments and on furniture. They are small insects at approximately 1/5-inch in length. Before feeding, bed bugs are light brown in color and are shaped like a flat oval. After feeding on blood, they become a dark red color and their flat appearance becomes swollen. Since bed bugs are tiny and they like to hide inside cracks and crevices, they can be hard to detect. Evidence of bed bugs in your home include tiny red or brown spots on your bedding and a rash or swelling of the skin where you have been bitten.
Discover the body louse. Body lice are tiny parasitic insects that drink human blood. They make their homes in the folds of clothing. Lice are small at approximately 2 to 3 mm in length. They are typically light brown to light grey in color. Lice lay eggs on clothing and on the skin. A person contracts body lice by contact with an infected person or that person's clothes or towels. Bites from lice cause red bumps and itching of the skin.