Here are the seven most common things that attract no-see-ums.

Biting midges and other small blood-sucking insects cause significant discomfort to people. Having to deal with these pests isn’t funny at all.

What Draws No-See-Ums To Me?

The problem with their presence is that no-see-ums can be challenging to spot. So, while you experience significant discomfort, the chances of getting frustrated are high as you can’t seem to spot or see these pests.

Similar to mosquitoes, female no-see-ums inflict the bites. The natural response will be to limit exposure by adopting appropriate control measures.

For any control measure to have the desired effect, you’ll need to understand or have an idea of what attracts these pesky little creatures.

Do No-See-Ums Transmit Diseases?

Vector-borne diseases tend to be shared among biting insects.

For no-see-ums, this is quite rare. However, that isn’t to say they don’t spread any disease. These pests can transmit a disease called Carrion’s disease, which is also known as Bartonella bacilliformis.

Carrion’s disease tends to be deadly when left untreated.

According to research findings, fatality is significantly reduced in hospitalized patients. Fatality rates are pretty high in situations where patients aren’t hospitalized.

What Attracts No-See-Ums?

The success of any pest control strategy is hinged on finding out the cause(s) of their presence.

For no-see-ums, there are several reasons why you find them around your home. Contrary to beliefs that no-see-ums are attracted to the smell of blood, these tiny creatures are drawn by many conditions.

Such conditions include carbon dioxide gas, high moisture conditions, and areas with dense vegetation. Consider getting rid of clutter from your surroundings too.

These pests thrive in areas with a significant amount of shrubbery and well-lit environments.

  • Carbon Dioxide Gas

Like mosquitoes, no-see-ums get attracted to specific cues, such as carbon dioxide.

People produce this gas every time during respiration. Their receptors are adapted to picking and following this cue or gas to a potential host.

While other cues like lactic acid and body odor have been advanced as being among the reasons no-see-ums get attracted to humans, such haven’t been scientifically proven yet.

However, it’s a well-known fact that carbon dioxide attracts them.

  • High Moisture Conditions

One of the main attractions for no-see-ums is high moisture conditions.

An abundance of moisture is always an incentive that will readily attract no-see-ums. So, if you see them around your home, chances are that your surrounding has high moisture content.

Several factors contribute to high moisture conditions. These include leaky pipes around a home, humid climatic conditions, and faulty or slow-moving drains.

Also, leaky faucets and excessive use of sprinklers around the garden area could provide perfect conditions for no-see-ums to thrive.

  • Dense Vegetation

Dense vegetation is also a thing with no-see-ums. This includes tall grasses, bushes, and brushes. These pests have pretty much the same attractions as mosquitoes.

To have a real shot at controlling their activities, you’ll need to do maintenance work by limiting vegetation growth around your property.

  • Warmth

No-see-ums tend to thrive in warm climatic conditions. This is why they’re most common during summertime.

  • Clutter

Do you have clutter around your surroundings? This is an open invitation to these blood-sucking pests. The accumulation of clutter encourages moisture buildup.

So, leaving tree stumps around your yard or unused equipment will likely provide the type of surroundings no-see-ums need to thrive.

  • Well-Lit Areas

Like other insects attracted to light sources, no-see-ums also flock to such areas. Traditional light bulbs that usually attract insects are among the attractions for these insect pests.

You may have to trade or exchange these with less attractive lights like sodium vapor bulbs, fluorescent lights, and halogen light alternatives.

Also, limiting your lighting sources is another option, as the LPs keep these pests at bay. Window blinds can also be shut down to prevent these pests from getting too close.

Preferred Habitats

Are you an outdoor person?

Do you love outdoor activities like hiking, camping, fishing, gardening, and hunting? These recreational activities will mostly take you closer to the natural habitats of no-see-ums.

At the immature stage, no-see-ums tend to be semi-aquatic, with marshes, swamps, and other moist substrates serving as breeding grounds.

You may want to apply your preferred no-see-um repellents before stepping out to these areas.

No-See-Um Prevention

Preventive treatment tends to be the best approach to adopt for most pest problems.

This includes no-see-ums. Having identified the primary sources of attraction, you’ll need to take action by altering certain conditions that ordinarily would draw these pests to your home.

Basic preventive strategies include using mosquito misting systems for control. Standing drains and other pooling water around your yard should be cleared.

As stated earlier, you may want to limit your lighting to a minimum.

Part of the steps to adopt includes changing your light bulbs to those less inviting to these insects. The trimming of shrubbery and other vegetation around your home is equally important.

One of the ways to avoid their bites is by moving. No-see-ums are known to be slow-flying insects. By proceeding, you’re making it less likely for these pests to bite you.

What more?

You can have screens (ideally 16-mesh insect wire) installed around open spaces such as windows and porches. These provisions ensure that you don’t have to deal with these pests while resting on your patio or indoors.

DIY Treatments For No-See-Ums

While DIY treatments aren’t encouraged due to the many limitations, you can still get relief from these pests by using specific treatment methods.

Such methods must be such that are proven to give results. Carbon dioxide-baited traps are among those you should consider.

You could consider turning on your fans to prevent these pests from biting. As weak fliers, no-see-ums get blown away, thus making conditions unstable for them.

Calling for Pest Control

Professional pest control measures protect from these pests.

Reputable pest control services have solutions and more comprehensive treatment of your surroundings.

Now you know what attracts no-see-ums. What remains is adopting the proper treatment measures to curtail their presence and activity.

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