We’ve all had those annoying itchy welts that appear after spending time outdoors or around your pool. For some, they’re just an annoyance.
But for others, these bites can be downright painful and even cause serious reactions. So what are they?
Most likely, you were bitten by a type of fly known as biting midges or no-see-ums. These are cunning blood-sucking pests that go around leeching off of unsuspecting people and animals.
In fact, no see ums are now creeping indoors to feast on us when unable to find the source of food outside.
If you have a pool, chances are you’ve experienced the frustration of being bitten by no see ums.
But don’t worry, we’re here to help. In this blog post, we’ll give you some tips on how to get rid of no see ums around your pool.
No see ums are tiny insects that belong to the Ceratopogonidae family. With over 5000 species to be found all over the world except the polar regions, it’s no wonder that these pests have become such a nuisance.
In fact, they’re so small that they’re barely visible to the naked eye. If you're daring enough to approach one and take a closer look, you'll see that they are typically grey and look similar to mosquitoes. The females turn a reddish hue after consuming blood.
Despite their size, no see ums can pack a powerful punch when it comes to biting. Their sharp mouthparts pierce through the skin easily to draw blood.
Adult no see ums usually only live for about two weeks, but in that short lifespan, they can lay hundreds of eggs!
No see um bites are more severe than mosquito bites and tend to look like small clusters of red dots on the skin.
They may expand over time and cause painful, raised blisters that can remain on the skin for up to two weeks.
They’re also known as biting midges or punkies and are generally 1–3 millimeters in length.
No see ums are attracted to the smell of human skin. They are drawn to carbon dioxide and lactic acid.
These odors attract females no see ums, which means they can feast on the blood that is nearby.
No see ums are attracted to body heat, so a warm temperature would only aggravate the problem. Wearing darker clothing could be the reason you have so many mosquito bites all over your arms.
The female no see ums need a blood meal to produce eggs. They will often lay their eggs in areas with high moisture levels like mud, sand, and organic matter.
No-see-ums go through four phases of metamorphosis. The eggs hatch in two to seven days after being laid.
After several molts, the larvae transform into winged adults. Adult no see ums typically only live for a few weeks, but during that time, they can lay hundreds of eggs.
Females mate soon after emerging from the pupal stage, and they lay their eggs about a week later.
If you're looking for ways to keep no-see-ums away, you've come to the right place. Here are six of the best natural methods for keeping these pesky pests at bay.
No-See-Ums Natural Repellent is made with lemon eucalyptus, mint, camphor, and lemon, all of which have been used for years to keep pests at bay.
No-See-Ums Natural Repellent provides up to 6 hours of protection from biting insects and has a refreshing, citrusy scent.
And because it's made with natural ingredients, it's safe for you, your family, and the environment.
Simply apply the repellent to your skin before going outdoors, and enjoy your time in the great outdoors without worrying about those pesky midges!
Features a fresh, pleasant scent and 25% DEET-free repellent uses a blend of essential oils like peppermint to keep no-see-ums, ticks, gnats, and mosquitoes away for hours.
This clean, powdery scent smells great, and it’s safe for kids and adults to use. It goes on dry, so you don’t have to worry about it being oily or messy.
And, it’s water-resistant, so you can wear it in the pool or out in the yard without having to reapply it.
The LED blue-violet band emits a wavelength of 365-420nm. It has a deadly attraction for insects with long-lasting durability. It does not only eliminate no see ums, prevents them from hanging around your property.
The Gloue Bug Zapper Light Bulb is environmentally friendly and doesn't use harmful chemicals. So if you're looking for a way to enjoy the outdoors without dealing with no see ums, this light bulb is a great option.
The Insect Bite Soother is a natural insect repellent made with simple, skin-friendly ingredients: Purified Water, Glycerin, Castor Oil, and Vitamin E.
Lemongrass is 100% pure essential oil, combined with vanilla to produce an incredible fragrance that people adore, but pests like no see ums despise.
Simply spray it on your skin or clothing, and you'll create an invisible barrier that will keep bugs away for hours.
Repel Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent is a DEET-free repellent that protects you
from insects while you enjoy activities in the great outdoors and throughout your travels.
The oil derived from the lemon eucalyptus tree is proven to be just as effective as DEET in repelling no see ums, mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects.
It has a refreshing citrusy scent that's pleasant to wear, and it's safe for both kids and adults.
Vinegar is a natural repellent for no-see-ums, and adding a little soap to the mix will help to keep them away for good.
Simply combine equal parts vinegar and dish soap in a spray bottle, and spritz away!
Essential oil spray like lavender, lemon, citronella oil, or eucalyptus oil can also be effective at repelling no-see-ums.
Simply add a few drops of your chosen oil to a spray bottle filled with water, and spritz around areas where you tend to see these pests.
If you don't have any essential oils on hand, or if you just want a more potent solution, you can make a vinegar spray by combining 1 part apple cider vinegar with 2 parts water in a spray bottle.
This mixture will not only repel no-see-ums, but it will also kill any that happens to land on your skin. Just be sure to avoid getting it in your eyes!
There are many different brands and types of insecticides, so you will need to find the one that works best for you and your home.
The three most popular insecticides for getting rid of no see ums are OFF! Deep Woods, Repel 100 Insect Repellent, and Sawyer Products Premium Insect Repellent.
OFF! Deep Woods
OFF! Deep Woods Insect Repellent V protects you from insect bites for a long time, including ticks, mosquitoes, black flies, sand flies, chiggers, and gnats.
Not only does this protect you from fleas and no-see-ums, but you can also rest assured knowing that you'll be able to enjoy the outdoors without any pesky interruptions.
Repel 100 Insect Repellent
Repel 100 Insect Repellent Spray is an effective way to keep insects away. It repels no-see-ums, mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects for up to 10 hours. It is made with DEET and has a fresh, citrus scent.
This repellent provides 98.11 percent DEET for use in severely infested areas.
With this product, you can flaunt its long-lasting protection from bugs - go outside and have fun without the worry of pesky bites.
Sawyer Products Premium Insect Repellent
Sawyer's 20% Picaridin insect and tick repellent is an effective, safe alternative to DEET for the entire family.
It provides protection against no-see-ums, ticks (Lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis), and mosquitoes (West Nile, Dengue, and Zika viruses), which can spread diseases.
Not only is this more effective at repelling biting flies than DEET, but it also helps to keep stable no-see-ums, black flies, gnats, chiggers, and sandflies away.
If you live in an area where no-see-ums are common, there are a few things you can do to help prevent them from getting into your home.
By taking these precautions, you can help to ensure that no-see-ums stay out of your home.
Are you tired of seeing no-see-ums scurry around your home or business? Pest control technicians can help get rid of these pesky problems like mosquitoes or no-see-ums for good!
In as little as one visit, a pest control technician can identify and treat the source of your infestation.
They will also provide you with tips on how to prevent pests from returning in the future. Don't wait another day - contact a pest control technician today! You'll be glad you did.
There are a few things you can do to get rid of no see ums in your pool. You can apply an insecticide to the area around your pool, or you can hire a pest control technician to treat the problem for you.
Insect repellents containing DEET or picaridin are effective at keeping no see ums away. You can also avoid bites by staying indoors during dawn and dusk, when these pests are most active.
Yes, no-see-ums are attracted to water. This is why it's important to make sure you don't have any standing water around your home, as no-see-ums will lay their eggs in these areas.
There's no doubt about it - no see ums can be a real nuisance. But by taking some preventative measures and being aware of how to get rid of them, you can help to keep these pests at bay.
If you're having trouble with no see ums, contact a pest control technician today. They will be able to help you get rid of your infestation quickly and efficiently.
And, they can provide you with tips on how to prevent no see ums from returning in the future. Until next time, stay safe and pest-free!
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