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No-see-ums (Biting Midges, Culicoides species)
Identify it, prevent it, and know when to call. A South Florida guide from Pro-Spray.
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Is it dangerous?
- Bites
Painful, itchy bites; a major nuisance outdoors.
What Are No-see-ums?
No-see-ums are biting midges, tiny flies in the genus Culicoides. In South Florida they're also called "sand flies," "sand gnats" or "punkies." You feel the bite long before you see the insect, which is how they got their name. Only females bite, using blood to develop their eggs. They're a familiar problem for anyone living near the Intracoastal, mangroves, tidal canals or the beach, and they often make evening time on the lanai miserable.
How to Identify No-see-ums
The insect is so small that most people only notice a burning, prickling bite, often on the face, scalp, ankles or arms. Bites can swell into itchy red welts that last for days. They're most active at dawn and dusk, especially on still, humid evenings, and they fade when there's a breeze.
Common look-alikes:
- Mosquitoes: much larger and easy to see. See Asian tiger mosquito and yellow fever mosquito.
- Non-biting midges: similar look in swarms, but they don't bite at all. See non-biting midges.
- Chiggers: bites cluster where clothes are tight after walking in grass. See chiggers.
Life Cycle and Habits
Larvae develop in wet, organic-rich mud and sand, such as salt marsh edges, mangrove muck, tidal flats and the margins of ponds and canals. Development depends on temperature and moisture. Adults emerge and usually stay near those breeding areas, flying short distances on calm days.
Why They're So Bad Near the Water
The breeding habitat for no-see-ums is often in protected wetlands and tidal areas that can't be treated by homeowners or pest control companies. Homes along the Intracoastal Waterway, tidal canals and mangrove preserves may see heavy activity no matter how well the yard is maintained.
An Honest Note About Treatment
We want to be upfront: no-see-ums are hard to control. Because they breed in marshes, mangroves and tidal mud off your property, no residential treatment can eliminate them. A yard treatment with a backpack fogger targeting the shaded vegetation, screens and lanai edges where adults rest can reduce bites around your home for a time, especially combined with the steps below. But results are limited and won't match what you'd see with mosquitoes.
What Helps
- Air movement: No-see-ums are weak fliers. Ceiling fans or box fans on the lanai make a real difference.
- Fine mesh screens: Standard screen lets them through. "No-see-um" mesh with smaller openings helps on lanais and windows.
- Timing: Plan outdoor time to avoid dawn and dusk on calm days.
- Repellents: Use an EPA-registered repellent following label directions.
- Clothing: Light long sleeves and pants help during peak times.
- Lights: Keep outdoor lights off near seating areas when you can.
How Pro-Spray Helps With No-see-ums
When requested, we treat resting areas around your yard, lanai and screens with a backpack fogger as part of a mosquito-style service, and we'll recommend fans, screening and timing changes. We'll be straightforward about what to expect for your property.
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+ FREE inspection
Then stay protected with our $125 quarterly pest control plan, about $42/month.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are sand flies in Florida?
Why can't I see what's biting me?
Can no-see-ums get through my screens?
Can you get rid of no-see-ums completely?
Reviewed October 2026 by Pro-Spray's family-run team
Pests don't wait.
Protect your home today.
Get $50 OFF your first pest service and a FREE inspection & estimate. Ongoing protection is $125 quarterly (about $42/month), with no contracts and no cancellation fees.
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