What is the best way to get rid of no-see-ums? There are two effective solutions: repelling and trapping. Traps can be of two types based on how they attract no-see-ums. The most effective ones are those emitting carbon dioxide (CO2), a gas exhaled by humans and animals. By mimicking a mammal’s breathing, it draws no-see-ums in the trap, where they die from dehydration. Another type of trap utilizes UV light as a lure. While being less effective compared to CO2 traps, UV light traps are safer and can be used anywhere, including indoors. The captured insects are then electrocuted by an electric grid. As for repellents, they can be divided into two categories according to their application methods. Insecticides labeled for skin applications are generally based on DEET or Picaridin. The former is more powerful while the latter is considered to be less toxic. Sprays that are designed to be applied only to clothes contain Permethrin.
No-see-ums have plenty of names, such as biting midges or biting gnats, sand flies, punkies, pinyon gnats… All of them are called differently not only across the world but even across the U.S.A. These small stingy midges don’t leave anyone alone simply because they can see and sting you painfully and you can’t even smash them because they are so tiny. Who are they? How can you stop them? In this review, we’ll focus on the scientists’ opinions on how to get rid of no-see-ums, will determine the best repellent sprays, traps, zappers and protective clothing and will find out why the no-see-ums’ bites are so painful and dangerous.
No-see-ums are tiny ferocious midges belonging to Ceratopogonidae. Their size does not exceed 1/16 of an inch, but despite this, their miniscule jaws can cause severe pain when they bite. What is interesting is that both males and females feed on the flower nectar, but the females must drink the blood of warm-blooded animals to be able to lay eggs. The larvae can only develop in a moist environment: in any still water, on the banks of the rivers and bonds, in the marshes or mud, on the decaying organic matter, dirt, garbage, inside the wet tree hollows, and in tropical climates, even in plants that contain large percentage of water.
Should favorable conditions be created for larvae, the number of adult insects will hit a critical point by May (if it’s warm) and will last till the end of the summer. Although certain species are active during the day, most of these biting midges feast at dawn and dusk, just like other gnats.
How can you combat these invisible monsters? Previously, the specialists would ditch and drain wetlands to destroy the larvae of these insects; nowadays such a method is barely used because of the large-scale spread of no-see-ums. University of Missouri Extension experts don’t have good news either as they state that “effective control is difficult.” The North Carolina Extension IPM Program specialists agree with them and claim that getting rid of the immature no-see-ums (i.e. larvae) doesn’t bear any fruit, while the synthetic methods (foggers, sprays, mists) of elimination of adult species have a temporary effect. Adults quickly fill the treated spaces after the drops of a poisonous insecticide scatter in the air. That’s why this method is simply a waste of money.
It’s not that pessimistic though, as there are some effective methods for getting rid of no-see-ums, including CO2 & UV luring and consequent killing, repellent use, window screens and special clothes. We’ll describe each of them in detail.
CO2 luring is human respiration imitation. On a large scale, removal trapping is conducted using CO2 as an attractant to lure the biting midges to an insecticide-treated target where they are killed. Research from the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory has shown that biting midge populations were reduced in test areas of Vero Beach and Boynton Beach, FL, and Castaway Cay, Bahamas.
From these facts, we can conclude that CO2 insect traps are the most sensible option. They lure the insects with CO2 and UV light, and then suck them with a powerful fan into an internal compartment where the victims die of dehydration.
The scientists have found out that just like with mosquitoes, CO2 can be used to lure biting midges and kill them afterwards. Most of such units are quite pricey so we’ve found an affordable option covering up to 300 sq ft. You can also take it along when travelling if you know that these blood-suckers are a real threat at your destination.
What happens next? After being lured with the light and breath, an insect encounters a powerful but quiet fan which sucks it inside the grid like a vacuum cleaner: once and for all. Once inside a special compartment, all midges will die from dehydration. By the way, do not worry that the insects will get out: the said compartment is tightly closed, even when the trap is turned off. The Dynatrap Trap is not only convenient to install in the patio, pantry, garage or gazebo, but, because of its compact size, it also can be taken with you on trips as long as you have access to electric power!
By Laramie Prime Trading
Last update on 2023-02-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Dynatrap: Check the current price
There are lots of insect repellents available on the market today, but their effectiveness varies when it comes to dealing with the minuscule nasty no-see-ums. There are plenty of natural repellents among them. The scientists consider that they can provide certain protection, but is it really enough? Here are 4 repellents worthy of your attention.
You will have to treat your clothes with it (it can also be sprayed over your tent, bag, backpack, hammock, street furniture and mosquito nets) for about half a minute on each side. After that, you can go camping anywhere, to say nothing of the backyard parties and short walks. Permethrin has been protecting people for over 30 years as the U.S. and Canadian militaries use it to treat soldiers’ uniforms.
Regular users often combine Sawyer Clothing Repellent with a DEET-based repellent for skin. Such combination proves to be effective even in the jungle. However, users aren’t disappointed in using Sawyer Clothing Repellent on its own.
By Amazon.com
Last update on 2023-02-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Sawyer Products: Check the current price
This inexpensive effective repellent acts for up to 12 hours against mosquitoes and ticks, and promises to provide up to 8 hours of protection from the bites of biting flies, sand flies, gnats and other insects. Sawyer Repellent contains 20% of Picaridin, which has been used worldwide since 1998 and is one of the best sold active ingredients of insect repellents in Europe.
Many users’ experience has proven that this no-see-um spray can even outperform DEET-based ones and protect you from no-see-um bites even on the beach at night. The only inconvenience is the application process as some people have to spray it with one hand and rub it in with the other. This doesn’t affect the result, though.
Sawyer is safe for family use; it doesn’t damage clothes, bags, watches and synthetic fabrics. It can be applied not only on clothes and objects, but also on skin as it is completely safe and has a pleasant scent. If you need to combine it with a sunscreen, apply the sunscreen first and use the repellent 10 minutes later.
By Amazon.com
Last update on 2023-02-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Sawyer Products with 20% Picaridin: Check the current price
Repel 100 is EPA-registered personal insect repellent recommended for use by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which confirm its safety. It seems like this recommendation is not in vain. Judging by the reviews, the product is truly effective and users rate it highly.
Always keep in mind the safety rules of DEET-containing repellents use: never apply them on bruised skin, under clothes, keep it away from your eyes and rinse thoroughly after being outdoors and camping. The EPA does not recommend any additional precautions (as directed on the product label) for using registered repellents on children or on pregnant or lactating women.
Last update on 2023-02-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Repel 100: Check the current price
Many people are afraid of very powerful DEET (98%) repellents, but they are irreplaceable if your destination is a place swarming with flying blood-suckers (marshes and woods), or if you are going hunting or fishing.
On the other hand, there are gentler products, such as IR3535 which are also used for repelling mosquitoes, ticks, and biting flies. However, USDA laboratories found this repellent to be less effective than DEET. So, you’ll have to choose between an effective repellent and a gentle one that has a less-lasting effect.
If your skin is sensitive, pay attention to the following products:
The convenient format of this repellent allows for taking it on the go: just put it in the pocket of your jacket or pants and you won’t worry that it takes too much space. It is designed for use on the go, on the road or even in those extreme circumstances when your time is limited but the midges bother you too much. Even those who have had a chance of testing this product in severe conditions rate it highly.
If you are a tourist, hunter, and fisherman, or if you simply spend much time outdoors, put such a pack in your road bag as 15 wipes will serve you for a long time.
By Mr. Medical
Last update on 2023-02-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Repel 94100: Check the current price
Here is another type of a no-see-ums killer – indoor bug zapper bulb, attracting no-see-ums and other insects by UV light and killing them by electric current.
Using GLOUE, you will significantly save on lamps and nightlights: with no flying insects around, the device operates in a “light only” mode as a great and cost-efficient light source. Unlike conventional lamps, this bulb is energy-saving, with 25,000 burning hours (approximately 3 years).
You may use it 24/7 in the rooms, offices, shops, garages, patios, on a porch and even on a trip. It can be screwed into a lampshade as a conventional bulb while when used with the adapter it can be plugged into a socket.
GLOUE has three modes of operation: bug zapper, light only, bug zapper & light which can be interchangeably switched to each other very easily. The bulb covers up to 540 sq ft but in order to obtain the better effect, place one device per room.
This bulb doesn’t use chemical baits, nor does it release toxins over the course of its operation. It is safe for children and pets, therefore, you can safely place it in the children’s room. But the first thing you should remember is that it is an electric appliance, so don’t allow your children play with it. It zaps silently and not only no-see-ums but other insects as well.
GLOUE: Check the current price
Installing mosquito nets and wearing regular long-sleeved shirts and pants will be insufficient for preventing bites. Check out the clothes we’ve found for protecting, especially against no-see-ums.
It is not in vain that this Bug Jacket has a high rating and this is not even because of its affordable price. It has simply helped lots of people to have a great time without being bitten.
Coghlan’s Bug Jacket: Check the current price
Last update on 2023-02-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
No-See-Um Headnet: Check the current price
Last update on 2023-02-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Coghlan’s Bug Pants: Check the current price
Caroline Semerjian, Inventor of No No-See-Um Repellent
Caroline Semerjian is an owner and developer of a product called “No No-See-Um.” It is a natural insect repellent formulated to control this specific insect species.
The concept was developed out of dive on Sanibel Island where no-see-ums are so bad and nothing seemed to work. And also I am very self-conscious. so I wanted to come up with something that was not only going to work but was also safe to put on our skin. I came up with a formula that was going to be EPA except because registering with the EPA is very difficult. So we had to use only ingredients from their approved list.
No-see-ums’ bites are distinctive and the bites look like 1-2 inch spots with an itchy red dot in the middle. An itching blister filled with liquid can form on the bite spot. Such bites are much more painful that mosquito bites and take up to 2 weeks to heal because no-see-ums not only suck your blood, but also rip your skin with their small sharp jaws. Are these bites truly dangerous?
Wild animals and livestock are the most frequent victims of no-see-ums. Infected insects’ bites can cause horses to suffer from allergic dermatitis; they can transmit the lethal Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease virus to deer and contaminate sheep with bluetongue disease which is also known for its high death toll.
Let us be calm though, the biggest threat of no-see-ums’ bites for humans (and not animals) is individual allergy. Purdue University experts confirm this by saying that “biting midges are extremely annoying, but none are known to transmit disease agents to humans in the U.S”. In some countries, though, including the countries of South American, in the Carribean, West and Central Africa, some species may be carriers of pathogens causing not only animal but also human diseases, such as Mansonella worms. These parasites cause infections, thereby developing dermatitis and skin lesions, as adult worms live under their victim’s skin.
What should you do if you weren’t able to avoid a bite?
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I feel your pain. I'm in Florida six months months of the year and they eat me alive! Thanks for the tips
Wendy, Thanks so much for your comment. Most of the StopPestInfo team is up in Alaska right now. We cant wait for summer!!! But we know it that means no-see-ums... best to be prepared for the battle!
Thank you for all your valuable information. I've been battling No-see-ums in our house for 4 weeks. They are constantly around me, but my husband has never been bothered even once. And they are nearly invisible. The only time I see them is when I fill the bathroom sink up with water, then lean over the sink and and get the bugs to fall off of me and go into the sink by scratching my head, shaking my top, and shaking my arms. Then I look with my magnifying glass at the water and see what I believe to be bugs that are extremely small and almost translucent. They vary in size. Many are too small for me to really make out. Then some are more visible. They lie still on the surface of the water, and the water carries them around the circle of the sink. I've seen them attach to each other while floating along. Finally I saw one swimming the other day, because he had a tiny thread he was trying to break free from. I just got a new magnifying glass that has lights in it, so I'm hoping it will help. Because I don't think my husband totally believes that these bugs exist. He looked one time in the bathroom sink, but it takes time to get the lighting just right to catch a glimpse of one of the bugs, and he has no patience and won't take the time. We've lived in this house for 21 years and I've never been bothered by any bugs before. At night when I'm in bed, I've had these bugs get on my eyebrows, get onto my eyelashes, walk across the top of my upper lip, try to get into my nose. I wanted to tell you that I've used Deet repellent, and I've used Sawyer repellents, but my favorite repellent is Avon - the one that comes in a pouch, which contains 8 smaller pouches, each holding one sheet. It has Picaridin in it, and I think they combine it with their Skin So Soft lotion. One sheet can do your whole body fairly well. I have several body creams, and I find it helps to rotate and use one of these creams sometimes also. Yesterday I vacuumed my bedroom thoroughly, under my bed and more, and when I went to bed I felt like the bugs were about gone. I was almost undisturbed. Then this morning our lawn service people came and mowed our lawn, and when they swept by the front yard, the No-see-ums seemed to just fly through my window into my room - I could hear them hitting the blinds - and we don't have ANY windows opened in our house ever since I've had this bug problem. I don't know how they do it! How can they get into my bedroom like that with a window closed, and there are screens on the window also. The house is getting old, and I think there are just too many cracks and openings...