No-see-ums may be tough to see, but they can pack a wicked bite. What are no-see-ums? “No-see-um,” also written noseeum, is a common name given to tiny little bloodsucking insects you rarely notice until you have a burning sensation and a small red welt where it bit you. No-see-ums include biting midges, sandflies, sand gnats, and punkies. Just under three millimeters in length, they can ruin a picnic and drive people indoors on the most beautiful day. So, let’s explore how to get rid of no-see-ums.
What Are No-See-Ums Attracted To?
No-see-ums can find their way inside your home and get right in your face. If one bites you, it will inject saliva that can cause irritation, pain, and itchiness, along with annoying red bumps. For some, these bites are merely irritating, but for others, they can cause painful, long-lasting lesions.
To learn how to get rid of no-see-ums, we first need to know what they are attracted to and the habitat they rely on. Like mosquitoes, no-see-ums thrive in warm, humid conditions outdoors, particularly near a body of water. No-see-ums are generally attracted to wet areas. It doesn’t seem to matter whether it’s saltwater, freshwater, or brackish water; they love all of it.
Some other common attractants for no-see-ums include:
- Carbon dioxide: This is part of why no-see-ums seem to appear out of nowhere the moment you step outdoors. Every time you exhale, you release carbon dioxide, which is one of the primary things that attracts no-see-ums.
- Heat (including body heat): No-see-ums are also attracted to heat, and your body emits plenty of that.
- Body odor: There’s also evidence that odors attract no-see-ums and that one of the most attractive smells is body odor and perspiration.
- Perfumes: There’s also some evidence that perfumes attract no-see-ums.
Now that we’ve covered the possible things attracting the little suckers to you, let’s dive into how to get rid of no-see-ums.
What Do No-See-Ums Hate?
So, what are the best no-see-um repellents? Here are some of the things the little biters hate:
- Essential oils: Camphor, eucalyptus, lemon, and mint oils are not appealing to no-see-ums and can be used in natural repellent mixtures on your body or diffused in your home to keep the biters away.
- Insect-repellent sprays: These repel no-see-ums and disguise your natural body odor. Try spraying this around doors and windows to dissuade no-see-ums from entering your home. Sprays that contain permethrin, which is also effective against other insects, are the best no-see-um repellent sprays.
- Insect-repellent lotions: The best no-see-um repellent lotions contain picaridin, which repels no-see-ums for between eight and 14 hours.
- Insect-repellent devices: Devices that emit allethrin can help repel no-see-ums from your yard or patio.
What Do No-See-Um Bites Look Like?
Similar to mosquitoes, it’s the female no-see-ums that do the biting. No-see-um bites look like clusters of little red dots on your skin. While they can stay small, they often swell, enlarging to one to two inches in diameter, and can become painful and tender. If you don’t know how to get rid of no-see-ums, you may get plenty of opportunities to identify their bites.
For some, these bites last several weeks. In general, most no-see-um bites will itch for at least three or four days, though larger or more tender bumps can cause discomfort for quite a bit longer.
To treat no-see-um bites, wash the area with soap and water and then rub with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide. You can also apply hydrocortisone or calamine lotions to soothe the pain and itchiness. If it’s very uncomfortable, apply ice a few times per day until the discomfort goes away. Obviously, it’s better to avoid the bites. So, let’s see how to get rid of no-see-ums.
How to Get Rid of No-See-Ums
If painful and itchy bites are driving you to learn how to get rid of no-see-ums, there are several steps you can take. Let’s take a closer look at each one.
Reduce Moisture: No-see-ums, like most pests, need water for survival, especially during the hot summer months when they are most active. Fix any dripping faucets or leaking sprinklers on your property and be vigilant about eliminating any standing water after it rains.
Eliminate Breeding Grounds: As mentioned, one of the most important ways to get rid of no-see-ums is to eliminate any standing water on your property. Like mosquitoes, no-see-ums require still water, as it is best for breeding. They will lay their eggs in any standing water, such as a lake or pond, and also in water trapped in a bucket, in your gutters, in a tire swing, or in a birdbath. Routinely survey your property, dumping out any standing water, even small amounts.
Use Repellents: The best no-see-um repellants include lotions with picaridin, sprays containing permethrin, and allethrin-emitting devices also work well to keep no-see-ums away.
Trap Them: Figuring out how to get rid of no-see-ums can bring you to high-tech solutions. You can purchase no-see-um traps that attract the biters with carbon dioxide and UV light and then eliminate them with a vacuum or adhesive. For a DIY version, pour some apple cider vinegar into a small bowl or jar. Add a few drops of dish soap. Set it near the insects. The no-see-ums are attracted to the vinegar, but the soap traps and drowns them.
Need Help with No-See-Ums and Other Pests?
One of the best ways to get rid of no-see-ums is through professional gnat pest control from your local Mosquito Joe®. We offer traditional and eco-friendly pest control that effectively help keep pests like no-see-ums and other biters away for up to 30 days.
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No-See-Um FAQ
Are no-see-um bites worse than mosquito bites?
No-see-um bites are smaller than mosquito bites and far more painful. Unlike mosquitoes, no-see-ums have tiny, saw-like teeth. And like a mosquito bite, a no-see-um bite is also very itchy. Even if you are not allergic to the no-see-um bite, the welt may take up to two weeks to go away.
Can no-see-ums bite through clothes?
Biting midges, also known as no-see-ums, are vicious little insects that can bite right through your clothes. While dressing in loose clothing that covers you to the ankles, wrists, and neck can be effective against mosquito bites, no-see-ums can and will bite through clothing. That’s why learning how to get rid of no-see-ums is so critical.
Can no-see-ums infest your house?
While no-see-um infestations are much more likely outdoors, they can infest your home, particularly in water-rich spots like the bathroom, kitchen, or around leaky faucets. Be sure to fix any leaky faucets. Because the little biters are so small, they can find ways in, even through intact window screens. The best way to keep them out of your home is to keep them out of your yard.
Do no-see-ums lay eggs in your skin?
No-see-ums do not lay eggs on your skin, but the females do drink your blood to nourish the eggs they will lay, ensuring another generation of tiny biters.
What is the season for no-see-ums?
Like mosquitoes, no-see-ums thrive in the warm, humid months of summer. They are most active in June and July across the country. But they remain problematic year-round along the Gulf Coast and can reappear whenever the weather is warm.
