Asda reveals the nation's biggest insect bite myths

• Asda Pharmacy launches a new insect bite guide to help Brits identify what's biting them this summer and know exactly when and where to seek treatment

New research from Asda Pharmacy has revealed that two in five Brits (40%) have been bitten or stung by an insect in the past 12 months alone, yet many are still reaching for toothpaste, vinegar or worse, attempting to suck out venom, despite little to no evidence any of it works. With nearly seven in ten GPs (69%) saying they regularly see patients with bites that could have been treated at a pharmacy instead, Asda Pharmacy is calling out the myths and arming the nation with the facts.

It's not just remedies Brits are getting wrong, almost one in four (23%) wouldn't be able to identify if a bite is infected, while 35% admit they've left a bite untreated for fear of "making a fuss." That hesitation isn't without risk, 24% of those ever bitten say it later became infected, and 40% have delayed seeking medical advice because they didn't think it was serious enough. For some, the consequences can be far more serious.

Content creator, broadcaster and journalist Anna Whitehouse, aka Mother Pukka was hospitalised earlier this year after a false widow spider bite developed into sepsis. After waiting 72 hours to be seen, she was initially sent home from A&E with a course of penicillin, but her condition worsened over the following days, ultimately requiring hospital admission, IV antibiotics and treatment of the wound. Sharing her experience with followers at the time, she urged others not to dismiss a bite that gets worse rather than better.

Speaking about her experience at the time, Anna Whitehouse said: "If I could go back, I'd tell myself to trust my instincts sooner. I waited 72 hours hoping it would just get better on its own, and by the time I went to A&E I was sent home with penicillin, but it had already escalated further than that could fix. If something doesn't feel right, don't wait it out. Get expert advice early, because a bite that seems minor can turn serious far quicker than you'd think. That's exactly why what Asda Pharmacy is doing matters - giving people a quick, easy way to get it checked properly before it gets anywhere near as serious as mine did."

To help Brits tell their midge from their horsefly and know when a bite needs more than a cold compress, Asda Pharmacy has introduced the Summer Bites Menu, a visual guide to what could be feasting on everyone this summer.

The need for such a guide is clear, mosquitoes topped the list of insects biting Brits in the past year (51%), followed by gnats and midges (24%), with horseflies (11%), spiders (10%) and ticks (6%) also making their mark. Yet despite their prevalence, more than a third of Brits (37%) admit they wouldn't feel confident identifying what had bitten them at all.

With two in five Brits (40%) unaware that pharmacists can assess and treat infected bites, including providing prescription antibiotics on the spot, Asda has created a memorable acronym helping people recognise when to choose Pharmacy First over the GP. BITE is a simple, season-specific guide to protecting against and treating insect bites.

B – Be prepared: Apply insect repellent before heading to known hotspots

I – Itching spreads infection: Resist the urge to scratch

T – Treat it early: Asda Pharmacy can provide expert advice and prescriptions including antibiotics

E – Extreme reactions? Head straight to A&E

The campaign underpins Asda's continued push behind NHS Pharmacy First, encouraging Brits to skip the GP queue and head straight to their local Asda Pharmacy for fast, free advice and treatment including prescriptions for seven conditions including infected insect bites. The importance of doing so is clear, 92% of GPs agree that greater awareness of what pharmacists can treat would help reduce pressure on GP services, with the average GP estimating that nearly a quarter of all bite consultations they see could have been handled at a pharmacy instead.

Despite this, when asked where they would turn first if they suspected a bite was infected, pharmacy came out top, with 44% saying they'd head straight there, compared to just 15% who would call their GP. Yet worryingly, 4% of Brits said no signs whatsoever would prompt them to seek urgent medical advice for a bite, a finding that GPs themselves will recognise, with 41% of GPs saying the biggest misconception they see is patients believing antibiotics are always needed, while 21% say patients wrongly assume they can identify the biting insect from the bite alone.

Faisal Tuddy, Head of Pharmacy, said: “Every summer we see the same myths doing the rounds, and the same painful mistakes. Toothpaste won't soothe a sting, and trying to suck out venom can do more harm than good. Most bites are nothing to worry about with the right first aid, but some need prompt treatment to avoid infection - and that's exactly what Pharmacy First is there for. You can walk into any Asda Pharmacy, no appointment needed, and we'll assess it, treat it, and prescribe antibiotics on the spot if needed.”

For more information about Pharmacy First and to find your nearest participating Asda Pharmacy, visit asda.com/pharmacy or speak to a trained pharmacist in store.

THE NATION’S TOP 10 INSECT BITE MYTHS – RANKED BY BELIEF:

1. Antihistamine cream can treat an infected bite — 34%

2. Most bites will heal on their own without any treatment — 30%

3. Alcohol disinfects a bite or sting — 20%

4. Vinegar neutralises a sting — 18%

5. Tea tree oil disinfects a bite effectively — 16%

6. Bites only become dangerous if you're allergic — 14%

7. UK spiders are never dangerous enough to need treatment — 11%

8. Sucking out the venom helps treat a bite — 9%

9. Toothpaste helps soothe a bite or sting — 8%

10. Bicarbonate of soda paste removes the sting — 7%

About the research

The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,000 nat rep general consumers (18+) and 75 GPs (aged 25+) in the UK. The data was collected between 06.07.2026 - 09.07.2026. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the British Polling Council (BPC), and a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge. We adhere to the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles.