Midge & Mosquito Management

All mosquitoes have a proboscis (an elongated sucking mouthpart). Both males and females use their proboscis to consume nectar from flowers, but females also use it to bite and suck blood, which she needs to produce eggs. A female mosquito’s saliva causes itching, but they are also capable of transmitting dangerous diseases into their hosts like Yellow Fever, Malaria, West Nile Virus, Zika, Dengue Fever, and more.

The wings of the mosquito differ from those of the midges, as they are longer than their body. They are also fringed wings—since they have scales that make a fringe-like border on the wing’s trailing edge. When at rest, mosquitoes have a humpback appearance as they hold their body away from the surface.

Harmless midges are often called blind mosquitoes because of their resemblance to mosquitoes, but they don’t have a proboscis. Though they can’t bite or transmit diseases, harmless midges create irritatingly obnoxious swarms that coat cars and light poles and create bad odors when they die off. 

While many midges do not bite, it’s important to note that some can. These biting midges are often called no-see-ums because they are much smaller than mosquitoes. Due to their small size, they are able to get through doors and screens that normally keep mosquitoes out. Midge bites give a noticeable stinging sensation. Eventually, their bites can turn into welts up to two inches in diameter. Biting midges have the ability to transmit parasitic nematodes, African horse sickness, Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, bluetongue disease, arboviruses, and non-viral animal pathogens.

During warm weather, midges and mosquitoes can breed in any puddle of water. To eliminate, or at least reduce prime breeding sites for midges and mosquitoes, consider taking the following steps:

• Identify anything outside that holds water, such as containers, watering cans, ceramic pots, gutters, bird baths, old tires, and even potholes, and take action to prevent water from pooling.
• Drill holes in the bottoms of your outdoor planters and recycling containers so that water will drain and not be collected.
• Keep roof gutters clear and clean so that leaves don’t plug the drains.
• Turn over wheelbarrows and plastic swimming pools when not in use.
• Do not let water become stagnant in birdbaths, water gardens, ornamental pools, and swimming pools.
• Introduce floating fountains or submersed aerators into lakes and ponds to increase circulation and create an undesirable habitat.
• Stock waterbodies with predator fish like minnows and mosquitofish to feed on larvae.

Mosquitoes and midges are a problem that won’t be going away anytime soon. There are thousands of different species of mosquitoes and midges across the globe, each with their own characteristics and management challenges. Mosquito experts understand the complexities of insect control and the most effective strategies to target these nuisance pests. Consider speaking with our professionals to learn more about your midge and mosquito management options.