Midges

Midges are non-biting flies that resemble mosquitoes in size and general appearance. They are approximately a half-inch in length and light green to brown in color.

Midge Sources

They develop and breed in aquatic habitats similar to mosquitoes. Residents living near the following sources are frequently annoyed by midge swarms.

• spreading basins

· reservoirs

· lakes

· ponds

· flood control channels

Places Where Adult Midges Are Found

Cars	Under eaves
Screen doors	Porches
Windows	Entryways
Walls	Bushes and other vegetation

Breeding Season

Midges are usually a problem from April to September, and survive the winter as larvae in mud and at the water bottom. Swarms usually emerge at sunset.

Impact on Living Standards

When midges emerge as adults in enormous numbers, they invade nearby residences, disrupting outdoor/indoor activities, causing the following problems:

• May create stressful living conditions for nearby residents by not allowing outdoor activities around sunset hours such as jogging, barbequing, etc.
• They are attracted to outdoor lights located approximately within a quarter mile of their breeding sources and may enter homes.
• Flying adults can become stuck on newly painted surfaces.
• Adults can deface walls, ceiling, curtains, etc.

Health Problems Associated With Midges

Swarms can cause discomfort or irritation by entering the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. These insects do not constitute a public health problem because they do not transmit diseases. Several species, however, have been documented as the cause of allergies in people exposed to massive swarms.

Economic Importance

In residential areas, they tend to lessen real estate value. In industrial situations, they interfere with processing of food, paper products, plastic, and automotive refinishing operations.

Life Cycle

Eggs: Eggs are laid in a jelly-like mass on water or in the mud.

Larvae: Newly hatched from eggs, larvae burrow into mud. The larvae are often bright red and live in water or wet soil, where they feed upon organic, particularly algae.

Pupae: The pupae rise to the water surface after the final larval stage and soon emerge as winged adults

Adults: Adults will live approximately 7 days depending upon the species and weather conditions. Males form swarms where they capture females for mating.

The Difference Between A Mosqutio and Midge

Mosquito	Midge
1. Use proboscis to bite	1. Cannot bite
2. Wings are longer than its body	2. Wings are shorter than its body
3. Always develop in stagnant water	3. Develop in mud on the bottom of lakes, ponds, etc.
4. May carry diseases	4. Does not carry diseases

Tips To Help Alleviate Nuisance Midges

• Reduce overall light use during the evening by using less powerful bulbs
• Use yellow light bulbs in outdoor fixtures; yellow is less attractive to midges
• Delay turning lights on as long as possible after sunset
• Keep doors closed and windows tightly screened to prevent midges from entering the home.
• Avoid using zap traps or other electrical traps, which are virtually ineffective.

GLACVCD’s Midge Prevention and Control Program

The District has been involved in collaborative research programs concerning the biology, ecology, and control of midges since the early 1960’s. Collaborative research concluded that physical control, the ability to manage the movement of water to and from midge habitats, is the most effective method for preventing midge occurrence. This method when applied properly disrupts the midge life cycle, preventing adult emergence. Larvicide use becomes unnecessary or minimal and service requests remain infrequent. In 1998, after years of responding to midge complaints, rather than attempting to prevent them, the District began a proactive midge control program aimed at preventing adult midge emergence. The basis of the program—maximize physical control and minimize the use of larvicides. In order to achieve that, the District has established a cooperative relationship with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, the agency controlling water responsible for creating midge habitat.

If you have a midge problem, please contact GLACVCD at (562) 944-9656 and schedule a free inspection.