Biting midge

Biting midges, also known as no-see-ums, are tiny flies, typically only 1-3 mm long. They are gray in color with mottled wings and have piercing-sucking mouthparts that the females use to feed on blood. You'll most likely feel their bite before you see them.

Biting midges are difficult to spot due to their small size, but their presence is usually indicated by their painful bites, especially during dawn and dusk. You may notice them swarming near standing water, marshes, or damp areas around your property. An increase in scratching or irritation, especially around ankles and exposed skin, can be a sign of an infestation.

MBPC offers barrier treatments to reduce biting midge populations around your Grand Strand property. These treatments, applied by our SC Department of Pesticide Regulation-licensed technicians, target breeding sites and adult resting areas. Fogging treatments can provide temporary relief for outdoor events.

Reduce standing water around your property by emptying containers, cleaning gutters, and improving drainage. Use insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin when outdoors, especially during dawn and dusk. Consider using fine-mesh screens on windows and doors to keep these tiny pests out of your Myrtle Beach home.

Biting midges thrive in the humid, subtropical climate of Myrtle Beach and the surrounding coastal areas. They breed in salt marshes, tidal creeks, and damp areas with decaying organic matter. These insects are most active near dawn and dusk, and their larvae require moist environments to develop.

Peak activity: Spring-Fall