When bugs start buzzing around your home and yard, you need to know what you’re up against. One pest often mistaken for mosquitoes is the midge. These bugs have a similar appearance to mosquitoes and are drawn to the same environments, making it tricky to tell them apart. We’ve gathered information about midges and mosquitoes to help you identify and eliminate infestations.
What Do Mosquitoes Look Like?
Mosquitoes vary in color and markings by species, but they all share similar characteristics. Mosquitoes have a thin body and grow to about 1/4" in length. Their wings have scales and are slightly longer than their body. They have a proboscis, which has a needle-like appearance and is used to pierce and suck food sources.
What Do Midges Look Like?
Midges are a type of fly that can be tan, dark brown, gray, or green. They are tiny, the largest only growing to about 1/8" in length. Males have thick hairy antennae, while females have thinner antennae. Midges have one pair of wings that do not have scales. Their wings are shorter than their body. Biting midges, often referred to as no-see-ums due to their small size, have a proboscis. Some midge species don’t bite, and they don’t have a proboscis.
Where Are Mosquitoes Found?
Mosquitoes are attracted to damp environments because females lay eggs in water, and the larvae and pupae develop in water. Sources of stagnant water can be natural bodies of water or spots where moisture collects. These pests are often found near ponds or lakes, but they can also infest yards with moisture build-up. Mosquitoes hide in tall grass and dense vegetation to get a break from the sun. The space under decks can be an attractive hiding spot due to the shade and dampness it provides. These pests are most active at dawn and dusk.
Where Are Midges Found?
Like mosquitoes, midges prefer to stay close to sources of water. Midge eggs are deposited in water, and their larvae live at the bottom of these sources of water. Some midges will also lay eggs in damp soil. Midges are often spotted near lakes, ponds, marshes, streams, and other natural or manmade bodies of water. These bugs can also end up in yards if moisture is present. Midges swarm in large numbers, often forming a cloud-like shape early in the morning or evening. They are attracted to outdoor lighting and will gather on buildings near a light source.
What Do Mosquitoes Eat?
Adult mosquitoes feed on the nectar from plants. Female mosquitoes require a bloodmeal to produce eggs, which is why mosquito bites occur. Their bites can leave you with itchy, red marks.
What Do Midges Eat?
Midge larvae eat organic matter found in water. The adults feed on nectar from plants and other sweet liquids like honeydew. Female no-see-ums feed on blood to produce eggs. Their bites appear as clusters of red marks.
Mosquito Bites vs. Midge Bites
When mosquitoes and midges bite, they usually leave behind a mark. Mosquito bites are pink or red and will itch. They can become raised or puffy with a red spot in the middle. Midge bites are small, red bumps and appear in clusters. These bites can be accompanied by a stinging sensation. They are often described as being more irritating than a mosquito bite. Scratching mosquito bites or midge bites can increase the chance of an infection.
How to Get Rid of Midges & Mosquitoes
It can be hard to enjoy your outdoor space with mosquitoes and midges hanging around. Check out a few tips to help keep your yard free of these bugs.
- Minimize Moisture Build-Up: Midges and mosquitoes are both attracted to moisture build-up, so keeping things dry can help to prevent an infestation. Examine your yard for excess moisture. Make sure your gutters and downspouts are working properly. Repair or replace leaky spigots or hoses. Empty or remove items that collect water such as buckets and flowerpots.
- Trim Vegetation: Mosquitoes like to hide in overgrown vegetation. Regularly mow your lawn, keeping your grass cut short to reduce sources of shelter. Trim your vegetation and tree branches. Remove leaves, weeds, and other yard debris that can provide shelter.
- Reduce Outdoor Lighting: Midges are attracted to bright lights. Using motion detector lights can help to reduce the amount of light in your yard. Keeping your blinds closed at night can also prevent midges from being drawn to your home. Swapping your white light bulbs for warm-hued bulbs can make your lighting less attractive to midges and other pests as well.
- Use Pest Control Products: Pest control products can help to keep your yard free of bugs. Our plant-based insecticide sprays kill pests and provide residual repellency protection. The repellent properties will help to deter pests from hanging out in your yard. Our Mosquito & Tick Killer can be applied to your lawn and vegetation to help control mosquitoes and midges.
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Use a Bug Repellent: Using a bug repellent can help to protect against bug bites. Our Natural Insect Repellent is formulated using plant oils as the active ingredients. It protects against mosquitoes, flies, and ticks. When used as directed, it is safe for the entire family.
Midges and mosquitoes share several characteristics, which can make it difficult to tell them apart. Knowing what to look for will make it easier to properly identify and eliminate an infestation. If pests are bugging you, we’re here to help! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products.