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You may not see them, but you can feel them! No-see-ums, also known as biting midges or sandflies, are found in almost any aquatic or semi-aquatic habitat. They swarm and bite relentlessly, making it difficult to enjoy the outdoors. If you live near water like a pond, pool, or area with moist soil, you likely have no-see-ums in your yard and know just how annoying they are. The pest control professionals at your local Mosquito Squad Plus® can protect you and your family with a treatment that will help deter and kill no-see-ums outside. We’ve also put together some tips for you to reduce bites.
Fun Fact About No-See-Ums
No-see-ums are the largest pollinator of the cacao flower. Their small size and body shape make them the ideal pollinator for this intricate flower. Without no-see-ums, chocolate would be much harder to acquire.
All About No-See-Ums
No-see-ums are tiny flies that grow to only 1-3 mm long. They have slender, dark-colored bodies and feed on blood or plant nectar. No-see-ums are attracted to warm, humid environments and are commonly found near bodies of water. Like most flies, they breed in moist soil and decaying vegetation. There are thousands of no-see-um species, and they all have different behaviors and habits. The terms “no-see-um,” “midge,” and “punkies” are often used as a catch-all for the many biting flies within the Ceratopogonidae family.
Why No-See-Ums Bite
Many types of female no-see-ums bite because they need a blood meal to produce eggs. Despite their small size, their bites can cause itching and irritation for animals and humans. Unlike mosquitoes, no-see-ums don’t puncture the skin; instead, they cut it with a scissor-like mouthpart and suck up the pool of blood through their proboscis, a straw-like mouth. No-see-ums inject saliva containing anticoagulants to clot the blood; this can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Since no-see-ums are so small, many people don’t even realize they’ve been bitten until they feel a sting and an itch.
More About No-See-Ums: Are No-See-Ums Mosquitoes?