Do Backswimmers Bite And What Does It Feel Like?

Backswimmers do bite people, and it is not a pleasant experience. These aquatic insects, which swim upside down, have a piercing mouthpart that can break human skin and deliver a sharp, painful sting. Most people describe the bite as feeling like a sudden, intense bee sting or a hard pinprick, and it can leave a red, swollen mark that may throb for a few days.

Do Backswimmers Bite And What Does It Feel Like?

Yes, backswimmers bite. They are one of the few aquatic insects that will actively bite a human if they feel threatened or are handled carelessly. The bite itself is a defensive reaction, not an attack on prey.

The sensation is immediate and unmistakable. It feels like a sharp, burning jab, similar to a bee sting but without the stinger left behind. The pain is intense at the moment of the bite and usually fades to a dull ache within a few minutes. A raised, red welt often appears at the site and can itch for several days afterward.

Some people report the bite feeling like a strong electric shock or a needle piercing the skin. The intensity depends on where you are bitten and your individual pain tolerance. Fingers, toes, and exposed arms are the most common bite locations.

Why Do Backswimmers Bite People?

Backswimmers do not hunt humans. They feed on small aquatic insects, tadpoles, and even tiny fish. Their bite is purely defensive.

These insects live in ponds, lakes, slow-moving streams, and even swimming pools. They spend most of their time just below the water’s surface, swimming upside down with their long back legs acting like oars. When a person steps on one, grabs one, or accidentally traps one against their skin, the backswimmer will bite in self-defense.

They are also attracted to light and may end up in a pool or hot tub at night. If a swimmer brushes against one, the insect will likely bite. It is not an aggressive animal, but it will not hesitate to defend itself when it feels trapped.

What Does a Backswimmer Look Like?

Being able to identify a backswimmer can help you avoid them. They are often confused with water boatmen, but the two are very different in behavior.

• Size: Adults are typically about a half inch long, roughly the size of a small fingernail.
• Color: They are usually dark gray, brown, or olive on their back side, with a lighter belly.
• Shape: Their body is oval and somewhat flattened, tapering at both ends.
• Eyes: They have two large, prominent eyes on top of their head.
• Legs: Their back legs are long, fringed with hairs, and used for swimming. They look like tiny oars.
• Swimming style: They swim upside down. This is the most reliable way to tell them apart from water boatmen, which swim right-side up.

Water boatmen do not bite. They are harmless and feed on algae and plant matter. If you see an insect swimming on its back with a rapid, jerky motion, it is a backswimmer, and you should not pick it up.

How to Treat a Backswimmer Bite

Backswimmer bites are not dangerous to humans, but they hurt and can become irritated. There is no venom that causes serious medical problems, though the bite can cause a localized reaction.

For most people, home care is enough to manage the symptoms:

• Wash the bite area with soap and clean water to prevent infection.
• Apply a cold compress or an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for 10 to 15 minutes to reduce pain and swelling.
• Take an over-the-counter oral antihistamine if the itching is bothersome.
• Apply a topical hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce itching and redness.
• Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain if needed, following the dosing instructions on the package.

Keep the area clean and avoid scratching. Scratching can break the skin and lead to a secondary bacterial infection. If the bite area becomes increasingly red, warm, swollen, or starts oozing fluid, see a doctor. These could be signs of an infection.

Severe allergic reactions to backswimmer bites are extremely rare. If you experience difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or dizziness after a bite, seek emergency medical care immediately. This would be an unusual reaction, but it should be treated seriously.

Are Backswimmers Dangerous?

No, backswimmers are not dangerous in a medical sense. Their bite is painful but not toxic to humans. There are no documented cases of serious illness or death from a backswimmer bite.

The main risk is secondary infection from scratching the bite wound. The insect itself carries bacteria like many wild animals do, but a properly cleaned bite rarely causes problems.

For people with sensitive skin or allergies, the bite reaction may be more pronounced. The area could swell more significantly or itch for a longer period. In these cases, the same home treatment applies, but you may want to monitor the bite more closely.

Backswimmers are not aggressive toward humans. They do not chase swimmers or bite without provocation. The vast majority of bites happen when a person accidentally steps on one in shallow water or tries to handle one out of curiosity.

How to Prevent Backswimmer Bites

Prevention is straightforward. The key is to avoid handling these insects and to be aware of where they live.

• Do not pick up or touch backswimmers you see in the water.
• Wear water shoes when wading in ponds, lakes, or slow-moving streams. This protects your feet from bites and from stepping on sharp objects.
• Avoid swimming in areas with heavy aquatic vegetation, where backswimmers and other insects tend to gather.
• Be cautious when reaching into murky water or under rocks and logs near the water’s edge.
• If a backswimmer lands in your pool, skim it out with a net. Do not use your hands.
• Keep pool lights off at night or use yellow bug lights, which are less attractive to insects.

If a backswimmer is on your skin, do not slap it. Slapping may press its mouthparts deeper into your skin. Instead, gently brush it off with a swift motion or flick it away. This reduces the chance of a bite.

These insects are common throughout North America and many other parts of the world. They are part of the natural ecosystem in freshwater habitats. Knowing what they are and how they behave is the best defense.

Do Backswimmers Bite in Pools?

Yes, backswimmers can end up in swimming pools, especially in rural or suburban areas near natural water sources. They are strong fliers and are drawn to the light reflecting off the water at night.

Once in a pool, they can survive for a while, feeding on other small insects that fall into the water. A swimmer who brushes against one or accidentally traps it against the pool wall may get bitten. The bite feels the same as it would in a natural body of water.

Pools with a chlorine level that is properly maintained are not a hospitable environment for long-term survival, but backswimmers can still appear overnight. Skimming the pool regularly and keeping the water moving with a pump can discourage them. A pool cover at night is the most effective prevention.

It is worth noting that backswimmers in a pool are not a sign of poor water quality. They are simply insects that flew in. They do not indicate an algae problem or a filtration issue.