How do you battle No-See-Ums---when you can’t See-Um?

By Vickie G. Paver

This year we seem to have an abundance of a species of the ceratopogonidae family. This particular species is definitely a nuisance and I’m sure that you would agree. Okay, okay, I’m showing off and I had to look up the scientific name because I didn’t know it either! Grin. What we have an abundance of are gnats (No-See-Ums) biting midges, punkies or whatever else you want to call these biting little pests! Actually, I think we should name them Chompers, mainly because they can take the biggest bite out of you for being so minuscule! I have all the war marks to prove it.

One of the reasons that we have so many "No-See-Ums" is because we have a pond and our property hosts many natural springs---these two factors contribute to ideal breeding grounds. I guess as long as I live here in this moist environment I’ll most likely have to put up with getting bit from time to time by the No-See-Ums. That is just part of life here at Paver’s hobby farm. The worst thing about it is that they sneak up and bite you before you even see-um! Today was a chance in a lifetime for me as I walked by our pond to take some photographs of our Wild Iris. Low and behold as I was trying to relax in my lawn chair a midge landed right on the arm of the lawn chair! What luck! Now you can see for yourself that these little buggers have a nice little drill in the front to bite you with!!! Well I guess some grass is in the way---but you get the idea. I think they sort of look like a mini fly, mosquito and ant all combined in one biting maniac! Later this little bugger landed on me and bit me!

No-See-Ums remind me about all the times that things in life sneak up on us and bite us! In a different way---but it still stinging!!! These particular "No-See-Ums" sting the emotions and the heart when they bite. We’ve all shown signs of battle with the No-See-Ums of life. Sometimes they strike us through the unkind words of a co-worker and the sting sticks with us all day. Perhaps you got fired because of cutbacks at your job and it hurts thinking that your family may suffer because it. Then again you could have discovered that you have a treatable, but incurable disease, such as diabetes or arthritis and know you will have to deal with it for your life span. Whenever these biting episodes take place---it hurts, and we feel like we have been in a battle. They leave their mark on us---and it takes time to heal. But rest assured---just as "live bug" bites heal, so will the bites of life heal.

Defense against "real life" bugs are bug spray and wearing protective clothing that covers exposed skin when we go camping, for walks, or on picnics. Also, medications on the market help for when we are bitten. Calamine lotion, and sprays take the sting out and help in the healing process. So what do we do in daily life when we are bitten by the "No-See-Ums" that sting our emotions and heart? While I don’t have any pat answers---I do have some suggestions. One thing that can help us is talking to Christian friends or family----someone that we know is trustworthy. But the best thing we can do is immerse ourselves in prayer and Bible reading---time alone with God. God understands all about the hurts and stings of life and He is totally trustworthy!

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