Biting Midges (aka No-see-ums)

Coastal area residents and visitors to Florida are often aware that something is biting, but when they look for the offender, none can be found. Sometimes they may see what appears as a speck on the skin. Florida, unfortunately, is home not only for abundant mosquitoes, but also for minute biting insects known locally as "sandflies" (elsewhere as "no-see-ums"or "punkies"), although the more correct name is"biting midges. " They are especially troublesome in coastal areas, where most of Florida's population lives. Biting midges are particularly abundant in the vicinity of mangrove swamps or salt marshes.

These insects are all extremely small, less than 1/8" long. They belong to the insect order Diptera (two-winged flies), family Ceratopogonidae, genus Culicoides. Florida has 47 species in this genus, but only seven are significant human pests. The four most important, in order of their pest status, are Culicoides furens, C. mississippiensis, C. hollensis and C. barbosai; these are coastal in distribution. Several species are associated with dairy cattle and farming operations.

Only the female midge bites and takes blood. When biting, the midge uses small cutting teeth on the elongated mandibles in its proboscis to make a small cut in the skin. At the same time, a chemical in the saliva is injected to prevent blood clotting. Capillaries severed by the cut bleed and form a tiny pool of blood, which is then sucked up. Feeding takes approximately 2-5 minutes. The greatest biting activity in both species is around dawn and dusk. Some biting may continue through the night, but rarely during the day, unless the sky is heavily overcast and the winds are calm.

Recommendations for Bite Prevention

• Avoid outdoor activity during peak biting times.
• If outdoor activity can not be avoided during biting times, apply repellents labeled for biting midges according to the label.
• Increase air movement in screened porches by using high velocity fans.
• Screens can be treated with barrier sprays

To view this entire article, please visit http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG102

Have a problem with biting flies  – Call A1 Super Heroes at

(954) 255-2233 and speak with one of our professionals.