Why Do I Need No-See-Um Control?

No-see-ums, also called biting midges, are tiny pests that can fit through screens on windows and doors. When no-see-ums bite, you'll feel it and may experience large, red welts in the days after.

Ultimately, no-see-um control is critical. If you know how to combat no-see-ums, you can stop these pests before they cause long-lasting problems.

What You Need to Know About No-See-Ums

No-see-ums are small flies that extend up to 1/8 inch in length. They get their name because these pests are nearly invisible to the naked eye.

You can find no-see-ums in swamps and other agricultural areas with lots of moisture. No-see-ums tend to be most active between the hours of dusk and dawn.

The lifecycle of a no-see-um is short. It takes about two to seven days from when a no-see-um egg is laid until it hatches. Within two to three days of this, a pupal no-see-um reaches adulthood. The adult lifespan of a no-see-um lasts anywhere from two to seven weeks.

5 Can't-Miss No-See-Um Control Tips

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to fight back against no-see-ums. However, there are several tried-and-true things you can do to reduce no-see-ums and prevent them from coming back. These include:

1. Remove Standing Water

Standing water is a famous breeding ground for no-see-ums and other pests. Fortunately, pouring basins, planters, and other objects where standing water collects on your property won't take long.

2. Trim Your Grass and Shrubs

Tall grass and bushes are attractive spots for no-see-ums. But you can trim your lawn and shrubbery weekly to remove these spots. This reduces the risk of no-see-ums gathering on your property. It also lets you keep your lawn and shrubbery neat and tidy.

3. Fix Your Plumbing

Faulty drains, pipes, and hoses promote no-see-um breeding. You can repair or replace any defective plumbing around your home. When you do, you'll remove spots that otherwise can drive no-see-ums to your property.

4. Limit Your Lighting

No-see-ums are drawn to light. Meanwhile, you may have exterior lights you can keep on throughout the night at your home. It's usually a good idea to turn off these lights when you're not using them. On top of that, you can close your home's blinds to further minimize light from entering your home. As you limit the use of light sources, you can increasingly make your home less attractive to no-see-ums.

5. Invest in Alternative Lighting

Along with limiting your lighting, you can switch your home's exterior lights from traditional ones to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). No-see-ums are more likely to be attracted to traditional light bulbs than CFLs. Plus, CFLs are more energy efficient than standard lights. They can help you simultaneously reduce your carbon footprint and combat no-see-ums.

Take Your Mosquito Control to the Next Level

Despite your best mosquito control efforts, no-see-ums and other pests can cause long-lasting problems. If you need extra help with these pests, a best-in-class mosquito control company can help.

At Mosquito Squad of El Paso, we offer automatic misting systems to help you protect against no-see-ums and other pests. To learn more about our mosquito control solutions, contact us today.