What are No-See-Ums? These biting pests are extremely aggravating. No-See-Ums are the name often used for biting midges. They’re smaller than fleas. As their nickname suggests, they’re incredibly hard to see. You may only realize they’re around when you start scratching their extremely itchy bites. They’re outdoor pests, but they’re willing to come inside if there’s a meal around – namely you. The way to control them is chiefly through outdoor pest control measures.
The No See Um Bite
On the list of Florida pests, No-See-Ums rank as one of the smallest and most frustrating. Female No-See-Ums bite and eat blood in order to develop their eggs. The No-See-Ums bite lasts about two weeks but can last twice as long if you scratch. No-See-Ums have been known to transfer some diseases, as well as Filarial worms, a type of microscopic roundworm that lives in the human lymph system and can cause painful swelling of the arms, legs, and…. let’s just say tender areas. One bright spot is that they do not carry the Zika virus.
Keeping Biting Pests Outdoors
First, let’s keep them outdoors. No-See-Ums are small enough to easily pass through regular window screens and screen doors. Specialized No-See-Um Screens with smaller gaps can block them where they’re a problem. Keeping fans running is a surprisingly good deterrent. Since they’re small biting pests, they can’t fly strongly enough to overcome a steady air current.
Protecting Yourself
Insect repellents work well against No-See-Ums. As with other outdoor pests, insect repellent is effective at keeping them away. You can also wear clothes with long pants and long sleeves in order to minimize the areas they can easily bite.
Outdoor Pest Control
To limit their reproduction, practice good outdoor pest control. Make sure to dump or empty open containers of water. This includes rain barrels, old tires, cups – anything that provides a breeding ground. If water collects in a ditch or old tree stump, try to drain it out. No-See-Ums can even lay their eggs in leaves that retain a pocket of water. If you can’t drain a source of standing water, treat it with apple cider vinegar, cinnamon oil, or bleach. Be careful not to use bleach in areas where it will run off into wild areas. It’s dangerous to animals, including your pets.
Additional Measures
For more complete control of No-See-Ums and other Florida pests, a Brevard County pest control service can effectively take environmentally-friendly measures that decrease No-See-Um populations. This involves yard care and careful strategies that subtly change your property’s environment so it deters outdoor pests.