4-minute read
They’re not blind. And they’re not mosquitoes. But ask anyone who lives near a Central Florida lake about the swarms of black bugs that resemble mosquitoes, and you’re likely to get an earful.
Aquatic midges or “blind mosquitoes” have been especially noticeable in Lakeland over the past month.
If you’re hoping they’ll just die off, there’s some good news: they will. Adult midges only live three to five days.
The bad news? They don’t all hatch at once.
“There can be continuous hatch off that can last for a couple of weeks,” said Polk County Mosquito Control Manager Jackson Mosley. “Different hatchings will come in and replace the other one.”
Why now?
Central Florida has been in a prolonged dry stretch, lowering lake levels across Lakeland. Even with some recent rain — enough for Polk County to repeal its burn ban — water levels remain below normal.
Lower lake levels concentrate nutrients — the algae and organic material that midge larvae feed on — creating favorable conditions for the bugs.
“When you have communities that have a lot of fertilizer runoff … it makes the perfect situation for midges,” Mosley said.
Female midges lay a gelatinous mass of eggs on the water’s surface. It sinks to the bottom where larvae hatch and burrow into the sediment to feed for several weeks. When they’re ready, they transform into pupae and float to the surface. Their casings split, and adults wiggle out and take flight in swarms.
“Right now, with the water level being low, there’s a lot of nutrient in the water, so they’re getting out,” Mosley said. “It’s hatch time.”
Because their larvae develop underwater, the bugs are not particularly sensitive to hot or cold temperatures.
Why not just spray them?
Polk County’s mosquito control program is focused on biting, disease-carrying mosquitoes — not nuisance insects.
“The chemical we use probably would knock them down,” Mosley said. “But to remain on label and within the law, I can’t go out and say I’m going to spray midges.”
Lakeland officials said they don’t spray for mosquitoes or insects of any kind. “Polk County Mosquito Control does all of the insect management within the County,” said Lakes and Stormwater Manager Laurie Smith.
The city’s focus is the lakes.
Lakeland has spent years working to improve water quality — dredging sediment, removing excess nutrients, and testing new ways to reduce algae.
Those efforts aren’t aimed at bugs, but they can make a difference. Midges thrive in nutrient-rich water, so cleaner lakes can mean fewer big swarms over time.
Midges up, mosquitoes down
Favorable midge conditions hold mosquito populations back. Mosquitoes rely on rain and shallow standing water.
That means much of the county’s mosquito-fighting arsenal is largely idle for now — trucks that spray neighborhoods, helicopters used to treat large areas, and even planes deployed during major outbreaks.
“We haven’t had the numbers of mosquitoes collected to go out and treat,” Mosley said.
Why your home might be a midge magnet
Your house offers two things midges look for: calm air and light.
Because midges are so light, even a small breeze can push them around, so they gather anywhere it’s still. During the day, they settle in shaded, wind-protected spots — under eaves, along walls, on screens and around doorways.
At night, the second factor kicks in: light.
Unlike mosquitoes, which are drawn to body heat and carbon dioxide, midges are attracted to glow — porch lights, garage lights, and white or light-colored surfaces.
“They land on vehicles and doors, and they just stay there,” Mosley said. “They’re like unwelcome guests.”
What helps (and what doesn’t)
A few small changes can make a difference:
- Turn off porch lights (or move them): Midges are drawn to light. A “decoy” light farther from the house can pull them away from the door.
- Use a fan: Midges are weak fliers. Even a light breeze can clear a patio or entryway.
- Close doors quickly: They’ll slip inside if given the chance, especially at night.
- Vacuum them up: It’s simple, but effective indoors.
- Wait them out: Each wave only lasts a few days — even if new ones follow.
What doesn’t help much:
- County spraying: Midges aren’t the target.
- Bug zappers: They’ll kill some, but not enough to make a difference.
- Predators: Fish, spiders, and birds eat midges, but they can’t keep up with the numbers.
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