No-See-Um Control in South Florida: How to Get Rid of Biting Midges

Pest Guide

Eric Vincent

Owner & Licensed Pest Control Operator

Eric holds a degree in Pest Control Technology from the University of Florida and carries all five Florida pest control license categories: General Household Pest, Rodent, Lawn & Ornamental, Wood Destroying Organisms, and Public Health (License JB313837). He personally developed Mosquito Shield's proprietary Mosquito Protection Blend and has been treating South Florida properties for over a decade. When he is not in the field, he is behind every piece of content on this site.

UF Pest Control TechnologyLicense JB313837General Household PestRodentLawn & OrnamentalWood Destroying OrganismsPublic Health

You step outside at dusk, feel something biting, and see nothing. Welcome to the no-see-um, South Florida's most infuriating pest. As a UF-trained pest control operator with a Public Health license, I deal with no-see-um complaints year-round across Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale. Here is what actually helps — and what does not.

What Are No-See-Ums?

No-see-ums are biting midges from the family Ceratopogonidae. In Florida, the most common species attacking humans is Culicoides furens. They are approximately 1–3 millimeters long — about one-tenth the size of a mosquito — which is how they earned their name. Like mosquitoes, only female midges bite, requiring blood to develop eggs. They breed in wet, muddy shoreline environments: canal banks, mangrove edges, salt marshes, and freshwater wetlands.

Why the bites itch so long: No-see-um saliva contains anticoagulants and allergenic proteins. The resulting welt from a no-see-um bite typically lasts significantly longer than a mosquito bite — often 2–5 days of itching. Some individuals develop a hypersensitivity reaction that worsens with repeated exposure.

No-See-Um Season in South Florida

Unlike mosquitoes, which follow a clear rainy-season cycle, no-see-ums are present and active in South Florida virtually year-round. That said, pressure does peak:

Worst months: March through November — peak season aligns with warm temperatures and high rainfall
Worst time of day: Dawn and dusk — they are crepuscular feeders, most aggressive in low-wind, low-light conditions
Worst after rain — new breeding sites activate and adults surge in numbers
Worst on calm evenings — no-see-ums are weak fliers; any breeze above 5–8 mph grounds them

Properties With the Worst No-See-Um Problems

Certain property types in Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale consistently see worse no-see-um pressure:

Canal-front homes

Canal banks are ideal breeding habitat. Muddy organic shoreline stays wet year-round and supports large Culicoides populations.

Waterfront and Intracoastal properties

Salt marsh and mangrove edges near the Intracoastal are among the highest-pressure no-see-um environments in South Florida.

Properties near retention ponds or lakes

Shallow, vegetated edges of HOA lakes and retention ponds provide breeding habitat within flight range of your yard.

Properties near the Everglades

Parkland, Southwest Ranches, Sunrise, and western Coral Springs border Everglades habitat where no-see-um populations originate and migrate eastward.

Densely landscaped properties

Heavy vegetation provides shelter and humidity that extends the active window for no-see-ums and makes conventional control harder.

What Actually Controls No-See-Ums

Professional Barrier Spray

Our mosquito barrier spray program significantly reduces no-see-um activity. No-see-ums are in the same insect order as mosquitoes (Diptera) and respond to the same botanical compounds in our Mosquito Protection Blend. Citronella and geraniol in our formula are particularly effective at repelling biting midges. Customers on our program report notable no-see-um reductions as a secondary benefit of mosquito service — often within the first two to three treatments.

Physical Controls That Work

No-see-um screens — 20x20 or 32x32 mesh replaces standard 16x16 window screens
Patio fans — no-see-ums cannot fly in wind above 5–8 mph; ceiling and floor fans on patios eliminate them
Timing outdoor activities — avoid being outside at dawn and dusk during peak season
Personal repellents — DEET and picaridin-based repellents are effective against biting midges; oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) also works

What Does Not Work

Bug zappers — attract but do not significantly reduce no-see-um populations
Standard mosquito traps — designed for mosquito flight patterns, not effective against the smaller midge
Barrier treatments targeting only the property line — no-see-ums migrate from offsite water sources; perimeter-only treatment misses resting sites in vegetation
Treating only standing water — no-see-ums breed in muddy soil, not open water

Frequently Asked Questions

What are no-see-ums?

No-see-ums are biting midges from the family Ceratopogonidae. The most common species in South Florida is Culicoides furens. They are 1 to 3 millimeters long — roughly the size of a period at the end of a sentence — which is why you feel the bite before you ever see the insect. Like mosquitoes, only female no-see-ums bite, and they require blood to develop eggs. They breed in wet, muddy environments: mangrove edges, salt marshes, freshwater wetlands, and canal banks.

When are no-see-ums worst in South Florida?

No-see-ums are most active at dawn and dusk, particularly on calm evenings with little wind. In South Florida, peak season is March through November, with the worst pressure in summer months when daily rain keeps breeding sites wet and warm. Canal-front and coastal properties see the most intense activity. No-see-ums are also significantly worse in the day or two immediately following rainfall as new breeding areas are activated and adult populations surge.

Does professional mosquito spray help with no-see-ums?

Yes. No-see-ums are in the same insect order as mosquitoes (Diptera), and they respond to the same botanical compounds in our Mosquito Protection Blend. Customers on our mosquito spray program regularly report significant reductions in no-see-um activity alongside mosquito control. Citronella and geraniol in our formula are particularly effective at repelling biting midges.

Can I keep no-see-ums out of my home with screens?

Standard window screens (16x16 mesh) do not stop no-see-ums — they are too small to be blocked by standard mesh. You need 20x20 or 32x32 mesh screens specifically rated for biting midges. No-see-um netting is also available for outdoor sleeping areas and patios. Inside, running fans creates airflow that no-see-ums cannot fly through — they are extremely poor fliers and are stopped by wind speeds above 5 to 8 miles per hour.

Do no-see-ums carry diseases?

In the United States, no-see-ums (Culicoides midges) are not known to transmit human diseases. However, they are significant nuisance biters, and their bites cause intense localized allergic reactions in some individuals that can last several days. Internationally, some Culicoides species transmit bluetongue disease in livestock — relevant for rural South Florida properties with horses or cattle.

What is the difference between no-see-ums and mosquitoes?

No-see-ums are much smaller (1 to 3mm versus 3 to 6mm for mosquitoes), bite during the day as well as at dawn and dusk, and tend to swarm more aggressively. Their bites cause a more intense welting reaction due to the allergenic proteins in their saliva. No-see-ums cannot be excluded by standard window screens, while mosquitoes generally can. Both breed in standing water, but no-see-ums prefer muddy, organic-rich environments near water rather than open standing water containers.

No-See-Ums and Mosquitoes: One Program Targets Both

Our barrier spray program significantly reduces both mosquitoes and no-see-ums. All-natural MPB formula, bee-safe, no contracts. 5.0 stars · 55 Google reviews. Serving Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and 28+ South Florida communities.

Get a Free Quote Call 561-443-3333