What Attracts No-see-ums to an Area and How to Repel Them?

 
Outdoors, and no-see-ums are generally attracted to wet areas. Whether saltwater, freshwater, or brackish water doesn’t really seem to matter; they love all of it. No-see-ums can also find their way inside your home.

No-see-ums can get right in your face and definitely be a nuisance, but some species actually bite, injecting saliva that can cause irritation, pain, and itchiness along with annoying red bumps. For some, these bites are merely annoyances but for others, they can cause painful long-lasting lesions.

Read on to learn what no-see-ums are attracted to so you can take steps to keep them away.

What Are No-See-Ums Attracted To?

If you live in an area near water or a swamp, you’re more likely to experience no-see-ums. No-see-ums may find their way into your home after being attracted to your outside environment. There are, however, other common no-see-um attractants.

The most common of these 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 as well.

Now that we’ve covered the possible reasons you may be experiencing a no-see-um problem, let’s dive into how you can repel them.

What Do No-see-ums Hate?

Luckily, there are a few things that repel no-see-ums. So, what are the best insect repellants for no-see-ums? Consider having some of these items on hand if no-see-ums have been an issue for you in the past:

• Essential oils (and sprays and lotions made from them) include camphor, eucalyptus, lemon, and mint. You can also purchase sprays or candles made with these oils to apply or use in your yard or diffuse in your home.
• Insect-repellent sprays. These both repel no-see-ums (as well as other insects) and disguise your natural body odor. Try spraying this around doors and windows to dissuade no-see-ums from entering your home.
• Lotions containing picaridin, which repels no-see-ums for between eight and 14 hours.
• Sprays contain permethrin, which is also an effective repellent for many other insects.
• Devices that emit allethrin, can help repel no-see-ums from your yard or patio.

Related Topic: How to Get Rid of Allergens and Pests in Your Home

What Do No-see-um Bites Look Like?

Some species of no-see-ums can bite, and similar to mosquitoes, it’s the females that cause the bites. 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.

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 legions 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.

How to Get Rid of No-see-ums

No-see-ums are more than just annoying; they can cause actual pain and discomfort. One of the best ways to deal with these pests is to take preventative steps. Your local pest control pros at Mosquito Joe can help. We offer traditional and natural barrier sprays that effectively help keep pests, like no-see-ums away, for up to thirty days. To learn more or to get started, call us at 1-855-275-2563 or schedule an appointment online today.