Identifying and Managing Small Biting Flies in the Garden

Common Culprits

• Deer flies: Painful bite, leave red welts. Active in daytime.
• Biting midges (no-see-ums): Tiny, swarm at dawn/dusk, intensely itchy bites.
• Mosquitoes: Various species; some bite day and night.

Why They're Appearing

Warmer temperatures expand insect ranges. Standing water, damp vegetation, and lack of predators increase populations.

Immediate Actions

1. Eliminate standing water (breeding sites).
2. Use fine-mesh screens on porches.
3. Hang sticky fly traps to capture specimens for ID.
4. Apply repellents with lemon eucalyptus oil or picaridin.

Need for Location

Exact identification requires your zip code or region. Local extension offices provide species-specific advice.