Black biting beetle

[annieb]

Can anyone tell me how to get rid of a tiny round black beetle that bites and produces a burning sensation. After a couple of days the itching begins and the skin reacts round it then a blister appears. I had one on the back of my leg for a month!
One bit me on the back of my hand the other day when I was picking raspberries. I have heard of pollen beetles but don't know if they bite.

[rustylady]

Never been bitten by a pollen beetle, but I do react badly to insect bites and stings, so I usually carry a tube of antihistamine cream with me. Applied promptly it does help.

[peanut]

Yep, Pollen Beetles can bite...pesky little critters!

[winstonwobble]

That's what's bit me i bet i thought it was the prickly stalks on the cucumber plants when i go to give them a trim up my hands itch like mad and come out in blisters and there'e loads of them little black beetles on them

[annieb]

Thanks for the info peanut. Any idea how to eradicate them or at least reduce the population

[peanut]

No idea I'm sorry to say! There seems to be thousands of them this year, my Sweet Peas are full of them!

[Sweepster]

Bit of info here:

Garden pests - how to deal with pollen beetles on plants plants | Problem solving | How to | BBC Gardeners' World