What Are No-See-Ums and Why Are They Biting Me?

Posted by Mosquito Squad Plus

July 22, 2026

What Are No-See-Ums and Why Are They Biting Me?

If you’ve ever felt a sharp bug bite in your Nashville area backyard but couldn’t find the insect responsible, you might have encountered a no-see-um.

No-see-ums are nearly invisible backyard biters, but their bites really pack a punch. They can make your pool patio, garden, and back porch very uncomfortable during the spring and summer – even into fall.

And if you thought no-see-ums are only found in tropical locales, think again.

What Are No-See-Ums?

No-see-ums go by a few names, including blind mosquitoes and punkies. They are incredibly tiny biting midges, which makes them very difficult to spot, but their bites are absolutely noticeable. They produce a very itchy response, often leading to redness and irritation of the skin.

Like mosquitoes, no-see-ums are often active around dawn and dusk, and can be found among shaded vegetation, standing water, and areas with damp soil. Warm, muggy summer weather throughout the Nashville area creates ideal conditions for no-see-ums to be persistent backyard pests – far away from coastal regions.

Are No-See-Um Bites Like Mosquito Bites?

No-see-um bites and mosquito bites aren’t exactly the same. While both insects feed on our blood, a no-see-um acquires the blood by using tiny, saw-like teeth to break the skin. Mosquitoes use a long, narrow proboscis to pierce the skin and draw blood. Though much smaller than mosquitoes, no-see-um bites can be noticeably more painful.

What’s more, the effects of no-see-um bites often persist for much longer than mosquito bites, lasting for up to a couple of weeks.

Because no-see-ums are difficult to see, their bites are often attributed to mosquitoes, chiggers, or fleas.

Why Are No-See-Ums Gathering Around Your Yard?

As mentioned above, no-see-ums thrive in backyards with access to moisture and shade. Anything from moist soil and mulch and damp leaves and organic yard debris to ponds, pool splash zones, and drainage areas could be attracting them to your backyard.

To help your yard be less appealing to no-see-ums, eliminating and controlling moisture sources is key. Improve drainage, clean up yard debris, and remove any unnecessary standing water to help prevent them.

Mosquito Squad Plus of Nashville can help fortify your backyard against no-see-ums, mosquitoes, gnats, flies, and many other types of outdoor pests that bug you. Yard Defender, our comprehensive year-round outdoor pest control plan, provides broad outdoor pest control from many biting, crawling, and stinging pests using barrier treatments, baits, drenches, and granular pest control. This pest control plan is customizable to your property and your specific pest pressures to make your backyard the comfortable space it was meant to be.

Where Do We Offer No-See-Um and Outdoor Pest Control?

Mosquito Squad Plus of Nashville is pleased to offer professional no-see-um control, mosquito control, tick control, as well as expanded outdoor pest control services throughout these areas in Davidson County, Wilson County, Sumner County, Williamson County, and beyond.

Choose Mosquito Squad Plus for Nashville pest control!

Mosquito Squad Plus treats mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and many more outdoor pests throughout the Nashville TN area! Contact us today at (615) 492-3662 or fill out our online form for your complimentary outdoor pest control assessment and treatment quote.

Our pest control packages and related services all come with a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee!