Blind Mosquitoes vs. Mosquitoes

What are blind mosquitoes, and how are they different from mosquitoes?

If you have lived in – or vacationed in – Florida for any amount of time, you have probably heard the term blind mosquitoes. They’re tiny, aggressive, and their bites are itchier for longer than the typical mosquito bite. What exactly are blind mosquitoes, though?

Are Blind Mosquitoes Even Mosquitoes at All?

The short answer is no, blind mosquitoes are not mosquitoes. But what are they really, and how different are they from mosquitoes? And why are they such a nuisance here in Northeast Florida?

The term blind mosquito is a common local nickname for biting midges, also known as no see ums - an appropriate name for a Florida pest that’s so small you often don’t know they’re around until you’ve been bitten. Unlike mosquitoes, blind mosquitoes don’t alert us to their presence by buzzing by our ears. One minute you’re enjoying your outdoor patio, and the next minute you’re scratching itchy, red welts on your ankles.

Are Blind Mosquitoes a Type of Mosquito?

Despite their nickname, blind mosquitoes are not a type of mosquito. They’re both biting insects, but there are some key differences between the two.

Blind mosquitoes are much smaller than mosquitoes. Very often, they’re barely visible to the naked eye. Their small size allows them to pass through screens on porches or window screens. Many people find blind mosquito bites more irritating than mosquito bites, often causing intense itching, raised welts, and much longer-lasting discomfort.

Mosquito activity varies by species, like the daytime biting Asian tiger mosquito. But blind mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, especially when conditions are humid.

Unlike mosquitoes, blind mosquitoes do not breed in areas of standing water, like bird baths, dog bowls, or clogged gutters. Blind mosquitoes prefer damp soil, mulch beds, shady landscaping areas, and areas of coastal marsh – making them perpetual Northeast Florida residents.

Why Are Blind Mosquitoes So Common in Northeast Florida

Like other outdoor pests, Northeast Florida’s natural environment and weather conditions are perfect for no-see-ums to thrive. Warm temperatures, frequent precipitation, and available organic material are all agreeable to thriving no-see-um populations here. Even the best-maintained yard can attract no-see-ums – and maybe especially those yards. All they really need to thrive is moist soil or landscaping materials.

And because they are so minuscule, do-it-yourself elimination efforts are often not adequate. At Mosquito Squad of Northeast Florida, we know that controlling blind mosquitoes requires more than a quick yard spray. Effective no-see-um control entails a strong focus on the areas where they live and breed. Our professional yard treatment for no-see-ums is designed to reduce their populations, as well as mosquito and other outdoor pest populations. So, before you try to eliminate outdoor pests on your own, give Mosquito Squad of Northeast Florida a call.

Search for no see um control and choose Mosquito Squad.

Mosquito Squad of Northeast Florida is a trusted tick control and mosquito control company, serving Jacksonville, Saint Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, Jacksonville Beach, and surrounding areas. Also call us for outdoor pest control in Yulee, Atlantic Beach, Fruit Cove, and beyond!

At Mosquito Squad of Northeast Florida, our goal is your complete satisfaction. That’s why we offer a

Put our mosquito control to work for all your needs. Call Mosquito Squad of Northeast Florida at (904) 844-0816 to learn more about our formulas and outdoor pest control plans.

Also read: Is a Midge the Same as a Noseeum?