What's Biting Me?

As summer brings warmer weather, we’re spending more time outdoors, soaking in the sun and fresh air.

But for many, this season also means an unwelcome companion: the tiny, elusive noseeum, or biting midge (family Ceratopogonidae).

These minuscule pests, barely 1–3 mm long—about the size of a pinhead—can turn a pleasant day into an itchy ordeal.

These minuscule pests, barely 1–3 mm long—about the size of a pinhead—can turn a pleasant day into an itchy ordeal.

Unlike the more noticeable mosquito, noseeums strike in stealth. They cut the skin with their sharp mouthparts, injecting saliva that triggers an intense reaction.

Within hours, victims might notice tiny red bumps, often clustered in dime-sized groups (17–18 mm) or short lines, especially on exposed areas like ankles, arms, and necks.

These clusters, caused by multiple midges feeding together, can go unnoticed at first but soon erupt into maddening itchiness.

A Pinhead Sized Mark Made By A Pen Shows The Small Size Of An Adult Noseeum

Over the next 1–2 days, the bites swell, sometimes blistering, and can persist for up to two weeks, leaving faint marks or hardness behind.What makes these bites so troublesome?

The cutting action creates small wounds, and the saliva’s anticoagulants and enzymes provoke a strong immune response, often worse than a mosquito’s probe. For some, the irritation lingers, tempting scratches that risk infection.

In Canada, noseeums are not known to carry diseases, making them a nuisance rather than a health threat.

The CDC and Health Canada recommend seeking medical advice if symptoms worsen, such as increased redness, swelling, or pain, or if signs of infection appear, like pus, red streaks, or fever (especially above 100°F/37.7°C). Emergency care is urged for severe reactions, such as difficulty breathing or widespread rash, though these are rare with noseeum bites.

To ease the discomfort and mitigate the saliva’s effects on the skin, guidelines from the CDC and Health Canada suggest:

• Immediate Relief: Washing the bite area with soap and water may help remove saliva residue and reduce irritation. A cold compress could lessen swelling.

• Itch and Inflammation: Over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or antihistamine lotion (e.g., 1% hydrocortisone) might calm itching and inflammation, per their recommendations. Oral antihistamines like diphenhydramine may help for severe reactions.

• Protection from Infection: Avoiding scratching is advised; if blisters break, cleaning with antiseptic and covering with a bandage could prevent infection.

• Prevention: Apply EPA-registered repellents (e.g., those with DEET or picaridin) and wear long sleeves and pants during dawn and dusk, when noseeums are most active.

With these steps, you can enjoy summer’s outdoors while keeping those pinhead-sized pests at bay. Next time you feel that mysterious itch, check for a noseeum cluster, it might be the culprit!