No-see-ums — officially biting midges — are one of the most frustrating pests in NW Florida, especially in Crestview, Milton, Freeport, and coastal communities. Tiny enough to slip through most window screens, these biting insects swarm at dusk and dawn, leaving painful welts that far outlast a mosquito bite. They breed in wet soil, marshes, and tidal areas throughout the Emerald Coast.
Identification
- Size: Just 1-3mm — roughly the size of a grain of sand. Hence the name "no-see-ums."
- Color: Grayish body; females (the biters) have spotted wings
- Behavior: Most active at dawn and dusk with calm, humid conditions. Prefer shaded outdoor areas near water. Only females bite — males feed on nectar.
Note: No-see-um bites feel like a hot pinprick, often before you see the insect. Resulting welts are much itchier and longer-lasting than mosquito bites, sometimes for days. Standard window screens (16-18 mesh) don't stop them — you need 20-mesh or finer.
Risks and Dangers
- Intense Bites: Painful and highly itchy welts; scratching can lead to skin infections
- Allergic Reactions: Some individuals develop severe swelling and secondary infections
- Outdoor Disruption: Can make evening yard use impossible during peak season (April–October in NW Florida)
- Pets at Risk: Dogs and horses especially affected; severe bite clusters around ears, belly, and paws
- Not Controlled by Mosquito Treatment: Standard mosquito programs typically don't target no-see-ums — requires specialized approach
Control and Prevention
Professional Treatment
No-see-um control requires targeting both adult flight zones and larval breeding areas. Cadenhead Services combines residual barrier spray treatments on outdoor vegetation (where adults rest during the day) with larvicide applications in damp areas where midges breed. Monthly service during peak season (April through October) provides the best outdoor protection for patios, decks, and yards.
Prevention Tips
- Replace standard window screens with 20-mesh or finer "no-see-um" screens
- Use oscillating fans on outdoor patios — no-see-ums are weak fliers and can't handle airflow
- Apply DEET or picaridin repellent during dawn/dusk outdoor activity
- Avoid light-colored or floral-patterned clothing — attracts midges
- Eliminate standing water and damp organic debris in yards
- Keep grass short and trim dense shrubs that create shaded resting zones
Why Choose Cadenhead Services Pest Control
No-see-ums are a coastal Florida problem most pest control companies don't handle effectively. Cadenhead Services has been targeting NW Florida's biting midge populations in Crestview, Milton, Freeport, and throughout the Emerald Coast since 1983. Our seasonal outdoor program combines barrier spray and larvicide treatments designed specifically for the Panhandle's tidal and creek-adjacent environments. Call (850) 682-4333 to reclaim your yard.
