Here Come the Midges
- Mike Balas
- Apr 27
- 2 min read
No-see-ums, gnats, midges, blind mosquitos. They're so common they have a bunch of different names.
Intro
What Do Midges Actually Look Like?
Midges are most noticeable when they are swarming, looking like a black cloud of movement. However, individually, midges are really small. They only grow to be about an eight of an inch long, and have long, narrow bodies and wings. They are dark colored and depending on the variety, can look like tiny flies or tiny mosquitoes.
Midges can live for months after they emerge, which usually begins in April. They continue to pester throughout the spring and summer. They will overwinter as larvae in mud or other wet organic materials. They produce their own natural compound that acts as an antifreeze, allowing them to survive at low temperatures.
Are Midges Harmful or Just Annoying?
They're both harmful and annoying. There are two main varieties of midges: biting and non-biting. Both are unpleasant and irritating but the biting kind are the variety that really causes people issues. Their bite is painful, leaving small, red bumps on your skin that can be painful and/or itchy. The reaction can go on for several days.
While not dangerous to humans in Virginia, as they don't spread diseases in the United States, midges can become an even bigger problem for pets. They will target sensitive areas on animals and leave welts that can lead to intense itching, allergic reactions and secondary infections. Additionally, midges can spread diseases to domestic animals, which can be dangerous and even fatal if left untreated.
How Can I Keep Midges Away?
The first line of defense against midges is to remove any standing water or decaying material from your yard. Make sure gutters aren't clogged, pipes aren't leaking, and leaves are removed from your yard. You could also switch to dimmer, warmer lights for outside spaces, as bright lights are attractive to them.
If you are going into areas with midges, make sure you cover as much skin as possible with clothing and use personal bug repellent.
Fortunately, midges are highly responsive to certain types of professional pest control applications. Maintaining a regular schedule of spraying for pests will greatly reduce any midge populations that had been forming and will deter any new populations from taking hold in your yard.
This is the time of year many people start to realize they need help with their pest control. We here, waiting for your call! Let us help you enjoy your yard this spring.
To learn even more about Virginia pests, check out our other blog posts and our pest library
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