Midges

Midges Australia

If you’ve ever seen a swarm of tiny flying insects hovering over a swamp or field on a warm Summer’s day, you’ve probably seen midges or Sand Flies. While there are several hundred species of midges in Australia, only a few actually could be considered “pests” because of their bite and their large breeding sites.

South East Queensland is a paradise for midges, with its warm climate and natural tidal flats, swamps, and lagoons. Being a locally based company, Pest Ex has many years of experience helping customers with effective midges control and advising on how to get rid of midges in and around Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Tweed Heads, and Logan. Their treatment products are environmentally friendly, and their operators are prompt and professional.

If you think you may have an issue with midges, contact Pest Ex to schedule an appointment.

Common Issues With Midges

Despite their small size (generally around 1 to 4 millimeters in length), midges can be one of the hardest pests to avoid during the warmer months.

Adult midges can lay up to 100 eggs at a time, and they have a fast life cycle of between 3 to 10 weeks, from egg to full grown adult. The female midge seeks out blood, and will inject saliva into a bite to prevent clotting, leading to an itchy bite mark. This means that unfortunately having a swarm of midges around your home or business can mean you may have to change your behavior outdoors.

You may need to:

Change your watering habits, avoiding going into your garden or yard at dusk, as midges are attracted to damp and shady spots
Avoid visiting coastal locations at dawn or dusk, or wear protective clothing
Ensure that you and your family wear insect repellent, especially on any exposed areas of your skin such as ankles and your neck.
Consider removing vegetation from around your property
Finding an infestation of midges around your property may also indicate that you have areas of standing water or boggy ground which should be investigated and taken care of. Also keep in mind that some midges can actually get past fly wire screens, so your home may not be as protected as you think it is.

Midges And Your Health

Like mosquitos, midges have a nasty bite, and getting caught in a swarm of them can seriously ruin your day. Because they have similar methods of extracting blood, the bite from mosquitos and midges can have the same allergic reactions, including inflammation, itching and redness, although many people will not realize they’ve been bitten for a few hours.

In some cases, bites can produce a more severe allergic reaction with the area becoming blistered or weeping. If the bites are scratched there is also the possibility of the area becoming infected, and you should seek medical attention to ensure this is taken care of quickly.

Don’t let you or members of your family become a meal for midges – contact pest Ex today to find out how they can help you.

Checking For Midges

Checking for midges around your home or business is a matter of knowing where to find them and being able to distinguish them from other small flying insects. Because they rarely venture far from where they were born, the easiest way to find midges is to look for their favored breeding sites:

Boggy and swampy marshland
Muddy patches of ground, protected from the wind
Decaying leaf and vegetation litter
Pools of standing water
Midges are active mostly at dusk or dawn, and will congregate in areas that are relatively still and without wind disturbance. They are also attracted by light and light coloured objects.

South East Queensland is a paradise for midges, with it’s warm climate and natural setting of tidal flats, swamps and lagoons.  Being a locally based company, Pest Ex has many years of experience helping customers with effective midge control in and around Brisbane and the Gold Coast.  Their treatment products are friendly to the local environment and their operators are prompt and professional.

If you think you may have an issue with midges, contact Pest Ex to schedule an appointment.

How to Get Rid of Midges

Midges can be persistent and difficult to manage due to their small size, fast breeding, and attraction to damp areas. Effective removal requires a combination of environmental management, preventive measures, and professional treatment. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to get rid of midges from your property:

1. Identify Breeding Sites

Midges breed in damp soil, boggy patches, standing water, and decaying vegetation. Regularly inspect your yard, garden beds, pools, and drains for these conditions. Eliminating or reducing these breeding grounds is the first step in controlling midges.

2. Reduce Moisture and Standing Water

• Empty birdbaths, plant saucers, or pet water bowls regularly.

• Improve drainage in garden beds and around your home.

• Remove clogged gutters or low-lying water pockets where midges can lay eggs.

3. Limit Attraction to Midges

• Avoid overwatering lawns or gardens during dusk when midges are most active.

• Trim dense vegetation near your home, as midges often hide in shaded, humid areas.

• Reduce light sources near outdoor entertainment areas at dawn and dusk, since midges are attracted to light.

4. Use Physical Barriers

• Install fly screens on doors and windows.

• Use mesh netting over outdoor seating areas or patios to minimize exposure.

5. Apply Insecticides and Residual Treatments

Professional pest control technicians use safe, targeted insecticides to eliminate adult midges and residual treatments to prevent eggs from hatching. Treatments are applied to:

• Outdoor vegetation

• Gardens and yard areas

• Pools and damp soil areas

These treatments are safe for humans, pets, and the environment, while being highly effective in controlling infestations.

Professional Midges Control

While DIY solutions like sprays or repellents can provide temporary relief, professional midges control ensures thorough and long-lasting results. Pest Ex experts start by conducting a detailed assessment of your property to locate active breeding sites, including damp soil, standing water, and dense vegetation where midges lay eggs. They then apply specialized treatments that target midges at all stages of their life cycle—eggs, larvae, and adults.

Using environmentally safe and highly effective insecticides, our technicians treat areas where midges gather, such as gardens, lawns, shaded corners, and outdoor living spaces. Professional treatment not only eliminates the current population but also prevents new generations from establishing, giving you peace of mind that your home and yard remain midge-free.

How to Prevent Midges from Returning

Once midges are eliminated, it’s important to maintain preventive practices:

• Keep gardens and lawns well-maintained and free from excessive moisture.

• Continue regular inspections of high-risk areas.

• Consider seasonal professional treatments during peak midge activity in warmer months to reduce the chance of reinfestation.

By combining these environmental adjustments, physical barriers, and professional treatments, you can effectively reduce midge populations and enjoy your outdoor areas without being bitten.

Got a Midges Problem? Contact Us Today

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