No-see-ums may be tough to see, hence their name, but they can pack a wicked bite. What are no-see-ums? “No-see-um” is a common name given to tiny little bloodsucking insects you rarely notice until the burning sensation and small red welt appear where it bit you. The name no-see-ums typically refers to biting midges, though it can also refer to sandflies, sand gnats, and punkies.
Measuring just under three millimeters in length, these nasty biting insects can ruin a picnic and drive people indoors even on the most beautiful day. In order to avoid that, you’ll have to learn more about these pests. So, let’s explore the most effective no-see-ums repellent, along with what attracts no-see-ums and how to repel no-see-ums in your spaces.
What Attracts No-See-Ums to Your Area?
No-see-ums are typically an outdoor problem, although they can find their way inside your home, too. If one bites you, it injects 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 repel no-see-ums, we first need to know what attracts no-see-ums and the habitat they rely on. Like mosquitoes, no-see-ums thrive in warm, humid conditions outdoors, particularly in still conditions near a body of water. But there doesn’t need to be a body of water to attract no-see-ums. They are generally attracted to any wet area, whether it’s saltwater, freshwater, brackish water, or even a puddle in your yard.
What attracts no-see-ums other than water?
- 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: No-see-ums are also attracted to heat, including your body heat.
- Body odor: There’s also evidence that odors attract no-see-ums, and one of the most attractive smells is the body odor you emit, including those from lactic acid and perspiration.
- Perfumes: There’s also some evidence that perfumes attract no-see-ums, including those from shampoos, lotions, hair products, fabric softeners, and more.
- Rotting organic matter: No-see-ums feed on various kinds of decaying organic matter, which produces both a clear scent that’s desirable to these bugs and also produces carbon dioxide.
- Dark-colored clothing: Dark clothes absorb more heat, making you even more attractive to these heat-seeking bugs.
- Light: No-see-ums are drawn to light, too, so if your yard is all lit up for an evening hang-out, you’re calling out to these pesky critters.
Now that we’ve covered the possible things attracting the little suckers to you, let’s dive into no-see-ums repellent options. Obviously, there’s not a lot you can do about the carbon dioxide, body heat, and natural body odors you emit. However, you can avoid other things that attract no-see-ums to you and your vicinity. This can include avoiding wearing perfumes and dark clothing outdoors during no-see-ums season, steering clear of garbage and compost, and turning off outdoor lighting when you’re not outside. Still, you’ll need a little more help than that to keep these pests away.
How to Repel No-See-Ums Effectively
So, what are the best and most effective no-see-ums repellents? Here are some of the things the little biters hate:
Chemical No-See-Ums Repellent Options
There are several chemical compounds that repel no-see-ums and keep them away. Consider using any of these around your home or on yourself to keep the bugs at bay.
- 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. Though there are many bug spray options, including those with DEET, 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.
Natural Methods to Repel No-See-Ums
If you prefer natural options for repelling no-see-ums, several effective options can be used on your body or in your surroundings to keep those biters away from you.
- Essential oils: Camphor, eucalyptus, lemon, and mint oils are unappealing 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.
- Carbon dioxide traps: CO2 traps can be used to attract no-see-ums and then trap them.
- Fans: No-see-ums prefer still conditions ,and they struggle to fight against airflow from fans. Place fans close to patios, porches, and other seating areas while you’re outdoors to create a preventative barrier against their bites.
What Do No-See-Um Bites Look Like?
Similar to mosquitoes, female no-see-ums are the ones that bite. No-see-um bites look like clusters of little red dots or welts on your skin. While they can stay small, they often swell, enlarging to one to two inches in diameter, and they 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. In general, most no-see-um bites will itch and hurt for at least three or four days, and often up to two weeks.
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, how do you control no-see-ums in your spaces?
How Do You Control No-See-Ums in Your Yard?
Painful and itchy bites will quickly drive you to learn about no-see-ums repellent. Thankfully, there are several steps you can take to reduce their breeding ground and general presence in your yard, and they’re likely to help you keep mosquitoes away, too. Let’s look at how to reduce what attracts no-see-ums to your space.
- Reduce Moisture: No-see-ums need water for survival and breeding, 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 watering plants or when it rains.
- Tend the Yard: Keep your yard tidy by mowing the lawn, picking up weeds, and cleaning up leaf litter. Also, ensure you don’t overwater your lawn or garden and check that your landscape drainage is working properly. This eliminates hiding spots for no-see-ums and reduces the areas where standing water can accumulate.
- Cover compost and garbage bins: No-see-ums feed on decaying organic matter, so keep your compost and garbage cans covered. Make sure you don’t have any birdseed or pet food scattered around, either.
- Eliminate Breeding Grounds: No-see-ums require still water for breeding. They lay their eggs in any standing water, such as a lake or pond, and also in water trapped in a bucket, your gutters, a tire swing, or a birdbath. Routinely survey your property, dumping out even small quantities of standing water. Empty and refill wading pools or non-aerated bird baths each day.
- Use Repellents: The best no-see-ums repellants include lotions with picaridin, sprays containing permethrin, and allethrin-emitting devices. These insecticides are all very effective at repelling no-see-ums.
- 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.
- Turn Off Outdoor Lighting: No-see-ums are drawn to light, so it can help to keep your outdoor lights off whenever you’re not outdoors. This is obviously trickier when you are outside, but in that case, you’ll need to employ other repellents. Keeping outdoor lights off and your blinds and curtains closed can also help keep no-see-ums from entering your home, staving off an indoor infestation.
Long-Term Prevention Tips for No-See-Ums
One of the best ways to get rid of no-see-ums is by calling your local Mosquito Joe®! Our professional mosquito, tick, and gnat pest control is designed to help you get back outside, bite-free. Our Mosquito Joe services include options that can effectively help keep pests like no-see-ums and other biters away for up to 30 days. Here are your options:
- Traditional barrier spray treatment: Mosquito Joe’s barrier spray treatment uses synthetic forms of an organic compound derived from Chrysanthemum flowers. These compounds harness the plant’s naturally-evolved defenses against insects to protect you and your property from pests.
- Natural botanical pest control: Our botanical pest control treatment uses essential oils, like peppermint, administered to targeted areas. This treatment repels a variety of biting insects, including no-see-ums, with natural ingredients.
We take pride in the work we do for our customers. As such, all of our work is backed by the Neighborly Done Right Promise® and the Mosquito Joe guarantee, which ensures your satisfaction. Together, with the combination of preventative measures and treatments, we can make the outdoors fun again!
To learn more about all of our pest control options or to get rid of your no-see-ums ASAP, contact your local Mosquito Joe online or give us a call at 1-833-435-8008 to request a free estimate. Call Mosquito Joe today!
No-See-Um FAQs
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. But 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 and keep your garbage and compost cans covered. 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 or under 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.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your home and property. Mosquito Joe is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact your local Mosquito Joe location for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.
