Midge Control

Biting Midges (Culicoides spp.)

• Tiny (1 to 3 mm) but capable of delivering a painful, itchy bite
• Most active at dawn and dusk in calm, humid conditions
• Breed in boggy ground, marshland, and standing water
• Common in rural and semi-rural areas, particularly near rivers, streams, and wetland

Non-Biting Midges (Chironomidae)

• Larger than biting midges (2 to 10 mm), often mistaken for mosquitoes
• Do not bite, but swarm in very large numbers
• Breed in ponds, lakes, rivers, water features, and any standing water
• Attracted strongly to artificial light, a significant issue for commercial premises
• Can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals (their shed skins are a known allergen)

Effective midge control requires a combination of larval source reduction, adult suppression, and exclusion. There is no single-product solution.

• Step 1: Site assessment. Identify breeding sources (standing water, boggy ground, water features), flight routes, and light attractants
• Step 2: Larvicidal treatment. Where breeding water is accessible and treatable, we apply targeted larvicides to reduce the next generation
• Step 3: Residual surface treatment. Applied to resting surfaces (walls, fences, vegetation around affected areas) to knock down adult populations
• Step 4: ULV fogging. For heavy commercial infestations or pre-event treatment, ULV delivers rapid knockdown across wide areas
• Step 5: Light management advice. Switching to amber or yellow LED lighting significantly reduces attraction. We advise on positioning and lamp type
• Step 6: Exclusion measures. Fine mesh screens, door strips, and entry point sealing to reduce indoor ingress

All treatments are carried out using COSHH-compliant, approved insecticides by qualified technicians.

Before Treatment

• Note where swarms are worst and at what times of day
• Identify any standing water, blocked gutters, or waterlogged areas on the property
• For commercial premises: advise staff of treatment areas and timing
• Switch off unnecessary external lighting during treatment to avoid attracting midges during the visit

After Treatment

• Ventilate any treated indoor areas after treatment
• Do not disturb treated surfaces for 7 to 10 days to allow residual insecticide to work
• Midge activity may continue for up to 2 weeks as new adults emerge from untreated water sources
• Larvicidal treatments in water features are safe for ornamental fish when applied correctly
• Ongoing management may be required through the active season (April to October)
• Contact us if activity has not noticeably reduced after 3 weeks

• Children and pets: Treated areas are safe once dry (typically 1 to 2 hours). Keep clear during application
• Fish and aquatic life: Larvicidal treatments in water features require care. Your technician will use products approved for use around aquatic environments and will advise you beforehand
• Bees and pollinators: We avoid spraying flowering vegetation where possible and treat at times of low pollinator activity

Spring (April to May) - First emergence: Non-biting midges (chironomids) are the first to emerge from ponds, ditches, and waterlogged ground as water temperatures rise above 10°C. Biting midges (Culicoides) follow shortly after. Watch for: small swarms forming over water features, gutters, and damp areas at dusk; midges gathering around outdoor lights; and larvae visible in standing water, birdbaths, and blocked gutters across properties in Hartlepool, Sunderland, and Durham. This is the ideal time for larvicidal treatment before populations build.

Summer (June to August) - Peak swarming season: Warm, still evenings produce the largest midge swarms. Non-biting midges gather in dense clouds near water sources and illuminated buildings. Biting midges (Highland midges and their lowland relatives) are most active at dawn and dusk, particularly in sheltered, humid areas near water. Watch for: dense swarms at dusk making outdoor seating areas unusable, biting midge attacks on exposed skin, midges entering buildings through open windows and doors, and large numbers of dead midges accumulating around exterior light fittings. Hospitality businesses, care homes, and outdoor events across Middlesbrough, Stockton, and Darlington are most affected.

Autumn (September to October) - Declining but persistent: Midge activity decreases as temperatures fall, but warm spells can trigger late-season hatches from breeding sites that produced multiple generations through summer. Watch for: reduced but continued swarming on mild evenings, persistent activity near water features and waterlogged ground, and midges seeking shelter indoors as outdoor conditions cool. Autumn is a good time to address long-term breeding sites: clear blocked gutters, drain standing water, and add circulation to ornamental ponds.

Winter (November to February) - Dormant period: Midge larvae overwinter in mud and sediment at the bottom of ponds, ditches, and waterlogged ground. Adult activity ceases. Watch for: no active midge problems during this period. Winter is the ideal time for prevention: clear debris from gutters and drains, repair any areas of waterlogging, install or maintain water feature pumps, and switch external lighting to amber or warm-white LEDs which attract significantly fewer insects when activity resumes in spring.