Mosquito Traps 101

Like mosquitoes, only female midges bite, taking blood to provide a source of protein for their eggs.  Females typically bite at dawn or dusk, often in dense swarms, and usually in the vicinity of water, marshes or rotting vegetation. Where they bite you will depend on the species. Some species will attack you around the head and eyes, while others attack the ankles, often crawling up the body under clothes.  Small wonder biting midges are often referred to as the Vampires of the insect world. 

They”re also known as  ‘no-see-ums’ in North America, as ‘punkies’ in the Northeast; ‘five-O’s in Florida and Alabama (refers to their 5 pm biting habit), ‘pinyon gnats’ in the Southwest, and ‘moose flies’ in Canada.

Less than 1/8 inch long, biting midges are a swarming species and belong to the insect order Diptera, (two-winged flies) family Ceratopogonidae, genus Culicoides.  Just like their close relative the mosquito, warm weather will bring out the biting midges, or “no-see-ums” as their tiny size has nicknamed them.

In the U.S. biting midges are primarily regarded as a nuisance.  The four most important, in order of their pest ranking, are Culicoides furens, C.mississippiensis, C.hollensis and C.barbosai.  Like other blood feeding Diptera i.e. mosquitoes, Culicoides species are vectors or disease carriers that can cause harm to both humans and animals.  Midge bites are as painful and irritating as any mosquito bites, usually starting as a small red welt or water-filled blister that itches. Once scratched, the welt can break open and bleed, but the itching usually continues.  Allergic or sensitive individuals can develop long-lasting painful and itchy lesions. Bite treatments recommended include topical cortisone creams and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen

When the biting midge snacks on livestock this can result in the transmission of a disease called bluetongue, which is found in cattle and sheep. Many countries that are bluetongue free prohibit the movement of livestock from bluetongue endemic regions.  The annual economic damage in lost trade is in the millions of dollars. 

No Money for Midge Control

No-see-ums are especially troublesome in coastal areas, and particularly abundant around mangrove swamps and salt marshes.  They love Florida.  With its temperate climate and regular rainfall, Florida provides ideal habitat for both mosquitoes and midges, and is home to 47 species of the little biters; only seven of which are significant human pests.  Unfortunately mosquito control districts in Florida are not funded to provide control of biting midges.

Insecticide spraying has had limited success. Targeting the adult population is extremely difficult because no-see-ums reproduce at such a rapid rate that there’s no way to keep up.  It would require insecticide applications on a daily basis in some areas, and this just isn’t efficient or environmentally sound.  Many government agencies that provide mosquito control services, receive a number of complaints and requests for help in dealing with biting midges. However, most of the programs are not mandated or allowed to respond by providing any form of midge control. Fortunately the private sector has come up with some pretty effective solutions, because it’s a case of DIY prevention and protection if you want to spend your summer enjoying the outdoors. 

Protection

Bite protection is essential when dealing with no-see-ums. If you can’t (or don’t want to) stay indoors, wear light colored clothing; preferably long pants and long-sleeved shirts, shoes and socks, and apply insect repellents when venturing out.  Typically those containing DEET are also labeled for use against no-see-ums. However check first and apply according to the directions on the label.

Around the home, installing window and door screens will exclude these pests.  However, as most biting midges can pass through 16-mesh insect wire screen and netting, a smaller mesh size, is required and becomes even more effective when sprayed with a coating of repellent.

C02 Trapping the most effective method

To make an actual dent in their numbers, trapping is one of the most effective methods of dealing to these little bloodsuckers. Research has shown that biting midges, like many species of mosquito, are attracted to C02.  However it’s not the only cue they follow, they’re also attracted to light, especially UV light.  The Ultra mosquito trap by Mega-Catch™ appears to be one of the safest, most effective traps on the market, and one that combines both C02 with UV light capability.   Mega-Catch™ traps have been scientifically tested and proven to kill mosquitoes, biting midges (no-see-ums) black flies and sand flies, and more importantly, do so without the use of insecticides, fogs or sprays.  USDA entomologist, Dr Daniel Kline conducted comparison tests using Mega-Catch™ Ultra traps in the Lower Suwannee Wildlife Refuge, on the west coast of Florida, and recorded the capture of 10,000 biting midges just in one day.  Biting midges are prolific at this site and cause extreme annoyance to both nearby residents and tourists.

Excerpt from Test Results

DATE: 07/06/02

POSITION: C-2

TREATMENT: Mega-Catch Ultra Wet Catch Method

MOSQUITOES: 6887

BITING MIDGES : 10,000                   
Read more: http://www.megacatch.com/testresults_dankline_ultra.html#ixzz0PEpILjt7

The user friendly design of the Ultra, means the insects are trapped in a catch bag or wet container for quick, clean and easy disposal; you won’t even get blood on your hands