Search

06 Sept 2025

Dramatic increase in Ballykelly bug bites causing concern for locals

Ballykelly locals have shared concerns on social media regarding an increase in insect bites in the area.

Dramatic increase in Ballykelly bug bites causing concern for locals

Dramatic increase in Ballykelly bug bites causing concern for locals

Reporter:

Sandra Malone

17 Oct 2024 1:33 PM

People in Ballykelly have expressed concern online about an increase in bug bites in the area. 
The Ballykelly Facebook page shared a message from one of its followers complaining of extremely painful bites from bugs in their garden. 
The local said that the issue is becoming "unbearable" for their family who do not want to go into their own garden. They added that the bugs are even coming inside their house. 
This person said that their local chemist has advised them that it is a matter for environmental health. 
The post has urged people who have experienced similar issues with bug bites to reach out to their local council in order to investigate the issue. 
More people shared in the comments that they too have been noticing an increase in insect bites, with people debating whether the bugs causing the bites are mosquitos or midges. 
Although many people may think otherwise, there are mosquito species in Ireland. They are particularly common in areas where there is stagnant water. The numbers of mosquitos in Ireland is expected to rise as climate change makes conditions here more suitable for the insect to thrive.
People are saying that the bites predominantly appear on the arms and legs, causing intense itching and pain. One person commented on the post, saying they were even prescribed antibiotics to treat the bite.
According to some online, the problem has been getting worse in the past few years, especially in the Ballykelly forest. 
Some people have shared possible repellents against the bugs, with one person advising: "Citronella, lavender, peppermint, geraniums and eucalyptus are all great natural repellants, mix with a base oil."

To continue reading this article,
please subscribe and support local journalism!

Subscribing will allow you access to all of our premium content and archived articles.

Subscribe

To continue reading this article for FREE,
please kindly register and/or log in.

Registration is absolutely 100% FREE and will help us personalise your experience on our sites. You can also sign up to our carefully curated newsletter(s) to keep up to date with your latest local news!

Register / Login

Most Popular

Sponsored Content

Multimedia

We've got Donegal Covered...

Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie

Buy a paper

Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.

Buy Now
Get the news

Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.

Register Here
Iconic Media is Ireland's largest independently owned regional newspaper and media group, with an unrivalled audience in print, online and mobile. We have 19 regional newspapers and 21 digital sites.

Iconic Digital Titles

  • Carlow Live
  • Clare Live
  • Derry Now
  • Donegal Live
  • Éire Bheo
  • Inish Live
  • Ireland Live
  • Kildare Live
  • Kildare Now
  • Kilkenny Live
  • Laois Live
  • Leitrim Live
  • Letterkenny Live
  • Limerick Live
  • Longford Live
  • Louth Live
  • Mayo Live
  • Nenagh Live
  • Offaly Live
  • Tipperary Live
  • Waterford Live

    • Iconic Print Titles

  • Clonmel Nationalist
  • County Derry Post
  • Derry News
  • Donegal Democrat
  • Donegal Post
  • Dundalk Democrat
  • Homes in Donegal
  • Inish Times
  • Kilkenny People
  • Leinster Express
  • Leinster Leader
  • Leitrim Observer
  • Letterkenny Live
  • Limerick Leader
  • Longford Leader
  • Mayo News
  • Midland Tribune
  • Tipperary Star
  • Tullamore Tribune

    • This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie.

    © 2025 Iconic Media