No See Ums Control: How To Get Rid of No See Ums

This page is a general No See Um control guide. Using the products and methods suggested you will get control of House No See Ums. Follow this guide and use the recommended products and we guarantee 100% control of Noseeums.

We all are aware of blood-sucking and biting insects that wreak havoc on us. The usual suspects are usually bugs like mosquitoes, gnats, bees and wasps but it can be most frustrating being bitten by an insect that you can’t see. This is especially the case with a bug fittingly known as No See Ums or the biting Midge.

No See Ums (also written as Noseeums or no-see-ums) are coined as such because they are usually so small that they can’t be seen unless you look very closely but they definitely can make their presence felt via their itchy irritating bites.

If No See Ums are making life difficult for you around your yard, Solutions Pest and Lawn can help through our the following No See Um treatment guide below which presents effective treatment options and DIY pest control products that can help to minimize or totally eliminate the presence of these unpleasant bugs. 

Identification

Identification is the first step in control. Before you can treat you need to make sure you're dealing with No See Ums and not mosquitoes. But, their differentiation is not that important, as the treatment methods to control both are extremely similar. Below we'll describe some common characteristics that set No See Ums apart.

• No See Ums as their name states are hard to see, they are typically grey in color and are less than 1/8 of an inch in size or even smaller.
• No See Um wings have hairs and different color patterns on them. They have 15-segmented antennae, and like mosquitoes draw blood and feed on humans, pets, and animals.
• No See Ums like mosquitoes can transfer a number of diseases, like Carrions Diseases, and Leishmania, among others.
• No See Ums have saw-like mouthparts that are adapted for blood sucking. Their constant biting, which they can do multiple times, is extremely annoying especially for people who frequent the outdoors or are trying to enjoy their yard.
• No See Ums need standing water to procreate. If your home or property offers them with plenty of standing water sources, that are not frequently drained, the No See Ums will not hesitate to set up camp. They also eat nectar, which is why they are also commonly found around gardens.

Use the image and description above to help you to properly identify a No See Um. If you are not totally sure you can contact us and one of our pros will assist you with correct identification.

Inspection

Inspection is the second step in control. Before you can treat, you need to know the areas that No See Ums are attracted to. During the inspection, you will focus on finding these "hotspots" where No See Ums breed and congregate around.

Where To Inspect

No See Ums are found near standing water, very much like mosquitoes, and are commonly found near muddy or swampy regions. This is because the females lay their eggs in standing water, such as lakes, streams, or even moist soil.

Most infestations occur outdoors so begin your inspection outdoors. Search every area of your home for any standing water. Search in bird baths, rain gutters, ornamental fountains, potted plants, rain barrels without screen covers, water bowls for pets, buckets, tree stumps, puddles, garbage cans, and areas of your yard where water does not drain. 

Indoors infestations are rare. But look in kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms, and wherever there are leaks or standing water.

What To Look For

You're looking for standing water sources. Since No See Ums are hard to see and very small, you have to first identify the areas that attract them and where they are possible breeding. Search in the places mentioned above, as well as moist soil, yard debris, and wet mulch. Once you have discovered their breeding grounds (standing water or moist soil) this is where you will apply treatment.

Treatment

Once you have confirmed No See Um activity it is time to begin treatment. Remember to read all product labels and follow the application instructions on these labels and stay safe by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).

We recommend using Supreme IT Insecticide to kill no-see-ums, because while not specifically labeled this product will treat biting flies another name for this pest. 

Step 1 - Removing Standing Water

Before applying the treatment, you need to first get rid of the No See Um breeding grounds.

During this step, you will get rid of any standing water and fix any moisture issues around the home. Eliminate water and moisture by any means necessary. Begin by eliminating standing water by turning over buckets, emptying out foundations, unclogging rain gutters, and doing your best to drain water from the yard.

Step 2 - Outdoor Treatment with Supreme IT and Martin's IGR Insecticide

Now you're ready to apply treatment outdoors. You will use two products, Supreme IT and Martin's IGR Insecticide. Supreme IT is powerful insecticide that targets more than 75+ insect pests, and it both repels and kills, driving away and killing No See Ums from your yard. You will also use Martin's IGR Insecticide alongside Supreme IT. Martin's IGR Insecticide is an Insect Growth Regulator that will affect the undeveloped stages of No See Ums (larvae, eggs) that might be found in your property.

You will use both these products together. Mix 1 ounce of Supreme IT with 0.67 fl. oz. of Martin's IGR Insecticide with a gallon of water. This application rate will treat 1,000 square feet. Use a hand pump sprayer to broadcast the product all over your yard.

Start at the back of the yard and make your way to the front. Spray mulch beds, flower beds, groundcover, ornamentals, and the whole lawn, especially in areas where there is moist soil, and where standing water accumulates. Do not let people or pets enter areas sprayed until dry.

Around your home perimeter, apply the Supreme IT and Martin's IGR Insecticide where you see Midges at rest. Common areas you should treat include siding, foundations, garages, tree trunks, outdoor lighting fixtures and around windows.

Continue to apply this application every 10 to 14 days until the population is under control. For commercial areas and more serious infestations, we recommend using a misting or fogging machine. 

Step 3 - Indoor Treatment with Pyrid Aerosol

If you think you might have an infestation of No See Ums indoors, you will use one product, Pyrid Aerosol. Pyrid aerosol will be perfect to use as a space spray and as a contact spray to kill and quickly knock down any No See Ums you're able to see.

This product comes in an aerosol spray can. To use as a space spray first make sure there are no people or pets inside the home. Make sure to put away all food serving items (glasses, bowls, plates, pots) away and eating utensils away. Turn off the air conditioner, close windows, and close all doors.

Apply at the rate of 1 to 3 seconds per 1,000 cubic feet. After application do not let people or pets enter areas sprayed until 15 minutes have passed and every room has been ventilated. After application make sure to wipe and clean any eating surface, and wipe countertops.

Prevention

Prevention is the final step in control. Without modifying your environment you will obtain complete control. Here are some preventative measures you can take so No See Ums don't reestablish:

• Remember to reduce and fix and repair any moisture issue around your home. Do not let buckets collect rainwater, and make sure your rain gutters are working properly.
• If you have moisture issues indoors make sure to fix leaky faucets and or faulty plumbing. Install screen doors in your windows and doors to prevent No See Um from coming indoors.
• If working outside prevent No See Um bites by wearing long clothing.
• Spray Supreme IT and Pivot 10 IGR before the season when No See Ums are most active in your area. Remember that application every 10-14 days after initial applications might be necessary.

Key Takeaways

What are No See Ums?

• Also spelled Noseeums or No-see-ums, No see ums are a tiny bloodthirsty gnat, similar to mosquitoes, and are notorious along the coastal areas of the country as well as places that carry a lot of moisture like marshlands and other damp areas.

How To Get Rid of No See Ums

• Eliminate No See Um infestations by eliminating standing water areas and making applications of Supreme IT and Martin's IGR Insecticide around highly active areas outdoors around your yard.
• For indoor No See Um infestations, quickly knock down the pests with direct sprayings of Pyrid Aerosol.

Preventing No See Um Reinfestation

• To prevent No See Ums from coming back, remember that eliminating standing water is half the battle, without addressing standing water, control will not be obtained.
• Reapply Tekko Pro and Supreme IT quarterly to ward off No See Ums so they don't reestablish.