Pests don't wait. Protect your home today.
Non-biting Midges (family Chironomidae)
Identify it, prevent it, and know when to call. A South Florida guide from Pro-Spray.
$50 OFF your first service + FREE inspectionNew customers · No code needed · No expiration
What Are Non-biting Midges?
Non-biting midges are small flies that look a lot like mosquitoes but can't bite. In Florida they're often called "blind mosquitoes," and around Lake Okeechobee and Central Florida lakes they're famous for massive swarms. In South Florida neighborhoods, they emerge from retention ponds, lakes and canals and gather in huge numbers on screens, lanai cages, garage doors and walls near lights.
Because they don't bite, they're not a health concern in the way mosquitoes are, but swarms can be a real nuisance. Dead midges pile up on patios and can leave spots on painted surfaces, cars and screens.
How to Tell Midges From Mosquitoes
- No bite: midges don't have the long piercing mouthpart mosquitoes do.
- Resting posture: midges hold their front legs up; mosquitoes rest with their hind legs raised.
- Antennae: male midges have large, feathery antennae.
- Swarming: midges form dense, buzzing clouds at dusk, often over the same spot.
Common look-alikes:
- Mosquitoes: bite and have long mouthparts. See Asian tiger mosquito and southern house mosquito.
- No-see-ums: tiny and bite. See no-see-ums.
Life Cycle and Habits
Larvae, some of them red and called "bloodworms," live in the mud at the bottom of ponds, lakes and canals, feeding on organic matter. Ponds with nutrient-rich water, often from fertilizer runoff and grass clippings, can produce large numbers. Adults emerge together, swarm to mate, lay eggs on the water and live only a short time.
Signs of a Midge Problem
- Dense swarms near ponds and lakes at dusk
- Large numbers on screens, walls and pool cages near lights
- Piles of dead insects on patios, driveways and windowsills
- Spider webs full of midges on eaves and lanais
Is it dangerous?
- Allergens
Nuisance only; they don't bite, but large swarms can stain surfaces and some people are allergic to them.
Why They Show Up Near Your Home
Lakefront and pond-front homes, especially in communities with retention ponds, see the most. Outdoor lights pull swarms toward the house in the evening.
Reducing Midges Around Your Home
- Lighting: Turn off or dim lights near the water side of the home, or switch to yellow bulbs.
- Blinds: Close blinds at night so indoor light doesn't attract them to windows.
- Cleanup: Hose off or sweep away dead midges regularly to reduce staining and odors.
- Pond management: Reducing fertilizer and grass clippings near ponds helps. Ask your HOA about pond management.
How Pro-Spray Helps
Since midges develop in ponds and lakes that aren't part of a home treatment, we focus on reducing resting adults on your structure and around your lanai, along with the spiders that feed on them. We'll be honest about results, which depend on what's happening in nearby water.
Some people are sensitive to midge allergens when very large numbers die and break down, so keeping patios and windowsills swept helps with comfort as well as appearance.
New customer offer
$50 OFF your first service
+ FREE inspection
Then stay protected with our $125 quarterly pest control plan, about $42/month.
New customers only. No code needed and no expiration. Mention this offer when you call or text.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do non-biting midges bite?
Why are so many bugs on my pool cage at night?
Are midges mosquitoes?
Can you eliminate midges?
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.
Prefer to text or email? Text us · info@prospraypest.com