Summer temperatures rise quickly in Toronto. If you and your family are planning to take a trip to the cottage or visit the lake, you may encounter midges. They are insects commonly found around beaches, lakes, marshes, and slow-moving creeks and rivers. When they bite, they leave itchy welts on the skin. They’re annoying, but you might be able to avoid them with a few tips.
MIDGE FACTS
- Midge vs. Mosquito – Because midges and mosquitoes rely on the same resources for food and reproduction, they share similarities. The same kinds of preventive measures and repellants work for both kinds of pests.
- Attraction – The primary sources of nourishment for midges are nectar from flowers and high-glucose juices. The carbon dioxide that humans and animals produce also attracts midges. Once they detect your body heat and catch a whiff of you, midges may begin to bite.
- Bites – Like mosquitoes, only female midges bite. They do this because they need blood protein to produce eggs. Midges that bite will prey on any kind of mammal, including humans. Birds, amphibians, and reptiles can also be their targets.
BITE PREVENTION
When it comes to midge bites, prevention is easier than cure:
- Keep airflow going indoors with a fan or the air conditioner.
- Avoid outdoor activities during early morning and late afternoon, when midges are most active.
- Take vitamin B1 supplements; they have antihistamine properties.
- Burn mosquito coils or use plug-in insecticides to ward away midges.
- Wear light-coloured, long sleeves if you are going to be outdoors during high-activity insect time.
- Apply personal insect repellents directly on your skin and clothes.
NATURAL/ESSENTIAL OIL REPELLANTS
Here are some smells that may help you repel midges from your surroundings. These scents can be released into the air through oil diffusers or scented candles. Their effectivity as a repellent, however, depends on your location and general environment:
- Peppermint
- Citronella
- Eucalyptus
- Lavender
Midges are almost impossible to remove by yourself. If your midge problem is unbearable, call a professional pest control company for assistance.
To reach a professional pest control service in Toronto and the GTA, call Pro-Pest at (416) 487-4179. We can safely and effectively remove insects for you.
