We Icelanders have, thus far, been blissfully free of three common pests: mosquitos, dust mites, and the odious cockroaches.
Alas, what with global warming and increased travel, all that is changing.
Leaving aside the dust mite situation, which I know little about, we do know that cockroaches are making inroads onto our fair isle. They are (thankfully) not yet everywhere, but are reported to be showing up here and there with increasing frequency.
As yet, we are still mosquito-free (touch wood) but in lieu of them we see the proliferation of so-called biting midges (Icelandic: lúsmý), sometimes called “no-see-ums” because they are so tiny. They attack in swarms, and can leave clusters of really severe bites.
And we are all feeling it.
They first alighted on our shores in 2017 and have spread quickly throughout the country. As far as I know they are not yet on the West Fjords, and possibly not in the East, but definitely here in south Iceland, as well as in the north.
I did make it to the summerhouse a couple of days ago, and as I write this I am covered in bites on my hands and wrists and even on my face (I’ll spare you the graphic images) from getting feasted upon, most likely while I slept last night. This even though I have been careful to keep doors closed, and bought insect nets to hang over the two windows I keep open. I suspect these buggers are too small and just push on through the holes in the netting like a boss, probably thumbing their noses at me while they’re at it.
So, yes. Our privileged exclusion from bites during the summer months is over. The only upside is that the midges only show up for around six weeks, though continued warming will likely extend that period. And even though experts say we will gradually form an immunity to this scourge, methinks it may take a while, since Icelanders are basically starting from scratch. Having grown up outside Iceland, I have a considerably milder reaction to insect bites than, say, my husband, who gets terrible swelling and even blisters.
And so, I will leave you with a HOT TIP: if you are thinking of starting a business in Iceland, consider getting into screen doors and windows. There is a huge untapped market just waiting over here. Besides the current situation, they say it’s just a matter of time before the nefarious mosquitoes arrive and settle in, at which time everyone will want screens. 🦟
Your support means the world to me, since it allows me to keep writing this newsletter. Here are some ways you can help.
📩 share this post
🙋♀️ subscribe to this newsletter
💖 become a paid subscriber
📚 buy one of my books
✍️ write a review of one of my books on Amazon or elsewhere
📣 tell someone about my work
☕ buy me a coffee by clicking here
Thank you! 🙏
*This post may contain affiliate links
Wait, "biting midges" only came to Iceland in 2017? What are the insects that Lake Myvatn is named for, then? How are the ones there for centuries different from this new batch?
I'd love to open a screen business in Iceland--or really, any sort of business--but I need to know what I'm dealing with!
Screen doors—very funny. Bug sprays or certain scents of candles or torches are a last (but not pleasant) line of defense in the USA where bugs love humans. Maybe you need to import some bats next to eat them.