Biting Midges

Garden Problems , Home Pest Problems , Pest Products

Biting midges, sometimes known as gnats or 'no-see-ums', are small (1-3 mm) black flies that normally feed on nectar but females need a protein blood feed to produce eggs and cause painful, itchy bites.

Identify the problem
In New Zealand there are several species of biting midge in the Ceratopogonidae family. They are small black, 'humped back', flies often seen in swirling swarms in evening sunshine. They should not be confused with the New Zealand non-biting midge of lake fly. Eggs are laid on the surface of water where they sink o the bottom and hatch as larvae, feeding in the mud. The adults will emerge in 2-7 weeks.
How to solve the problem
Biting midges are rarely a problem indoors but can be an unpleasant nuisance outdoors in gardens. They are more often a problem in wild places when walking or camping.
Good insect repellents can help prevent bites where biting midges or sandflies are present.
The numbers of biting midges around your home can be controlled by:
- Check for and remove or drain any midge breeding sites.
- Use NO Bugs Super or NO Bugs Indoor on surfaces around the areas where midges are causing problems, i.e. decks, walls, indoors and outdoors.
- Repellents can be effective in keeping biting insects away from your person and outdoor living areas.
- If midges become a problem indoors you can use the Insect Guard Insect Control System Range.