Ah, Tampa Bay. Sunshine, beautiful beaches, stunning sunsets… and tiny, flying terrors that leave intensely itchy bites? If you live here in the Bloomingdale area or anywhere around Tampa, you likely know exactly what we’re talking about: no-see-ums.
These minuscule menaces, also known scientifically as biting midges (and sometimes called sand flies or punkies), can turn a pleasant evening on the lanai or a walk near the water into an itchy nightmare. They are incredibly small – often just 1-3 millimeters long – making them notoriously difficult to spot until after they’ve bitten you.
Why Are They Such a Nuisance in Tampa?
Our beautiful Florida environment, particularly here in the Tampa Bay area, provides the perfect breeding ground for no-see-ums. They thrive in moist, humid conditions and lay their eggs near water sources. Think about our local landscape:
- Salt marshes along the bay
- Mangrove forests
- Shorelines of beaches and rivers
- Ponds and lakes
- Even damp soil, muddy puddles, and overwatered areas in your own backyard!
It’s the female no-see-um that bites, seeking a blood meal necessary for her eggs to develop. Unfortunately for us, their saliva triggers an irritating reaction, often resulting in red, itchy welts that can feel disproportionately painful for such a tiny insect and can last for days, sometimes even weeks.
When and Where Are You Most Likely to Encounter Them?
No-see-ums are most active during dawn and dusk. These are the prime times they come out to feed. You’ll often find them concentrated near their breeding grounds – beaches, marshes, riverbanks – but they can easily travel and may show up in your yard, especially if conditions are right (damp soil, lots of vegetation).
One frustrating fact? Their tiny size allows them to easily pass through standard window and porch screens!
Protecting Yourself from the Bite
While completely avoiding no-see-ums in Tampa might be impossible, you can significantly reduce your chances of being bitten:
- Time Your Outings: If possible, try to limit outdoor activities during their peak feeding times at dawn and dusk, especially near water sources.
- Cover Up: Wearing long sleeves, long pants, and socks can create a physical barrier. Light-colored clothing is often recommended.
- Use Effective Repellents: The CDC recommends repellents containing active ingredients like DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) for protection against biting insects. Always follow label instructions.
- Screen Them Out (Properly): If you’re screening a porch or lanai, ensure you use “no-see-um” grade mesh, which is much finer than standard screening.
- Increase Airflow: Using fans on your patio or lanai can help. The air movement makes it much harder for these weak fliers to land on you.
- Manage Your Yard: Reduce potential breeding sites by ensuring good drainage, avoiding overwatering, and eliminating standing water in containers, birdbaths, or clogged gutters.
Ready to Reclaim Your Yard?
Taking preventative steps can help, but sometimes no-see-ums feel overwhelming, making it hard to enjoy your own property. If you’re tired of battling these invisible biters and want a more comprehensive solution to protect your family and take back your outdoor spaces, we’re here to help.
Don’t let no-see-ums dictate when you can enjoy your Tampa home. Call us today to discuss effective solutions and finally get relief from your no-see-um problems!
You can also reach us at Mosquito Shield of Tampa