Noseeums (no-see-ums)

Belonging to the family Ceratopogonidae, noseeums are tiny (hence the name), two winged insects that are the scourge of many during the summer months due to their taste for blood, namely ours. They are also known as biting midges & punkies.

The main diet of noseeums is plant nectar, but the female also feeds on mammalian blood (known as hematophagy), requiring the protein to develop her eggs.

They are most active at dusk and dawn and their natural habitat is around water sources such as the ocean, rivers, marshes, swamps etc. They are attracted to carbon dioxide, which is in our breath as we breathe out. Some people are more attractive to noseeums than others, it is believed this comes down to body chemistry.

Noseeum bites:

Noseeum bites are extremely itchy and uncomfortable. When the female has her blood meal, she injects saliva containing both a local anesthetic to numb the area & an anti-coagulant to keep the blood flowing. This in turn induces an immune response causing histamine to flood the area leading to intense itching, redness & swelling.

Treatment for noseeum bites includes;

• No scratching. This potentially opens up the bite & can lead to secondary infection.
• Cold compress on the area to relieve itching.
• Calamine lotion can also relieve itching.
• Over the counter topical or oral anti-histamine products.

Preventing noseeums:

Prevention is always the best course of action. Avoid going outdoors at dawn and dusk. If you do go outside, wear an insect repellent. Products containing DEET are effective against noseeums.  

Installing fine mesh screens on external doors and windows to keep them from coming indoors.

Do not leave water standing around the house in children's pools, buckets, plant pots etc.

Keep vegetation immediately surrounding the house and outdoor entertaining areas to a minimum.

When outside during dawn and dusk, keep skin covered up with light long sleeved shirts & pants.

Burn coils or citronella candles when outdoors during peak season.