MIDGES - TREATMENT AND CONTROL
What pests do you have loitering around your property? Here’s some tips to keep yourself bite free from midges.
MIDGES - WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE
In Australia, there are several hundred species of midges – only a few species would be considered ‘pests’, mostly because of their sizable breeding sites and their bite. Midges are small in size, ranging from 1 to 4 mm in length. Adult midges look similar to mosquitoes, they both have dark brown colouring on their bodies and wings. But the midges that bite look like stocky flies.
Behaviour
The female midges are the main issue for humans, they’re on the lookout for blood. They leave a bite mark that is itchy because they inject saliva to prevent clotting. Adult midges have a quick life cycle, from egg to full adult – it could take up to 3 to 10 weeks. They also lay up to 100 eggs at a time.
Keep yourself bite free
Just like mosquitos, midges have a similar way to extracting blood. The bite from each of them can cause almost identical reactions – this includes redness, inflammation and itching. In order to keep yourself bite free, it will be best to avoid any damp or shady areas. Especially in coastal areas in the early morning and late at night. If you do find yourself in these areas, make sure to spray insect repellent on any exposed skin like the neck and ankles.
Treatment
Our team always starts with a thorough inspection. One of our techs will inspect the indoor and outdoor areas of your home to identify areas of concentrated pest activity. Evaluating environmental factors like landscaping, possible sources, breeding habitats, and food sources the midges may be relying on. Based on what we find during our inspection, we’ll design a pest management plan to help reduce midge populations. This pest management plan will include recommendations including Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices and techniques that focus on eliminating the pest and resolving the underlying causes of the infestation.
