The best-known biting insect, mosquitoes make many areas nearly uninhabitable in certain seasons and at certain times of the day. While most are nocturnal, many attack in daytime, or close to sunrise and sunset. They are most common out-of doors, but many enter houses, especially at night. They often carry diseases to their victims such as Malaria, Dengue Fever and West Nile Virus.

Also known as "no-see-ums", "sand flies", and "punkies", Biting Midges are so small that they can pass through ordinary mosquito netting. The parts of the body attacked vary widely. Some species attack around the head and eyes. Others attack the ankles, often crawling up the body under clothes. Targets soon become aware of a burning sensation, and subsequent welts may itch for days.

Bees and ants are not correctly referred to as "biters", since they insert stingers into their victims, and their purpose is purely defensive (although this may not appease the receiver). Many bees sting, but bumble bees (Bombus) and especially honey bees (Apis) do most of the damage.

While not as serious a carrier of disease as mosquitoes, many Tabanids viciously attack both animals and human beings. Bites are deep and painful. Equally vicious are the smaller Chrysops or deer flies with multi-colored, cross-banded wings.

Paper Wasps or domestic Hornets (Dolichovespula) and Yellow Jackets (Vespula) represent a group of closely related species of stinging insects. They (again the females are "they") only attack in self-defense - although you may be unaware you have "attacked" them. Disturbing their nests may lead to especially dangerous massed attacks, but even a single swatted wasp or yellow jacket on the picnic table may deliver a painful sting. Unlike bees, individual wasps are able to sting many times.

Biting occurs mostly during the day, particularly early morning and toward evening. Threatening weather, as before a thunderstorm, intensifies biting. Females target body projections, such as ears, and the lower parts of the body. They are attracted by odours, shapes, and colours - and in common with other biting insects, carbon dioxide. Males do not bite, but on the outlook for females, they often swarm near female targets.

Although their bites can be a serious irritant, especially for the allergic, they are not known to transmit disease. With its primary habitat bedding and furniture, the most common species (lectularis) is present throughout the world. Bedbugs feed exclusively on blood from birth to death.