Dr. Rui-De Xue & Dr. Arshad Ali, "Biology and Control of 'Blind Mosquitoes' (midges)"

I have asked our Anastasia Mosquito Control Commission of St. Johns County (AMCD) to consider supporting an amendment to Florida mosquito control law to allow for control of midges, sometimes called "blind mosquitoes."  

I am a candidate for Seat 2 on our Anastasia Mosquito Control Commission of St. Johns County, seat 2.  

I would be honored to have your vote, on or before November 3, 2026.

Here is an article by AMCD Director Dr. Rui-De Xue & Dr. Arshad Ali, "Biology and Control of "Blind Mosquitoes" (midges)":

Biology and Control

Blind Mosquitoes

(midges)

By Dr. Rui-De Xue & Dr. Arshad Ali

“Blind mosquitoes” is a layman’s term,

which may refer to several species of

aquatic midges that are somewhat

mosquito-like in appearance, however

they lack scales on the wings and do not

bite, suck blood, or carry diseases. Blind

mosquitoes often occur in huge swarms

after they emerge in large numbers to

pose a nuisance problem. Recently, a

large number of blind mosquitoes have

emerged from St. Johns River, SR 13,

and man-made ponds in the Ponte Vedra

area which caused a nuisance problem.

Importance:

The water level in St. Johns River was

low last year and the residents living

close to the riverside where blind

mosquitoes breed experience severe

nuisance and economic problems. A

high number of blind mosquitoes

covered most parts of the buildings and

vegetation/grass in the backyard.

Outdoor activities are often disrupted by

the annoyance of these pests.

At night adult midges are attracted to

lights around homes and businesses.

When large numbers of blind

mosquitoes are present, serious damage

can occur to paint, stucco, and other wall

finishes. Vehicle headlights and

windshields get covered. Thousands of

dollars are spent cleaning dead bodies of

blind mosquitoes from sidewalks,

porches, and vehicles.

As blind mosquitoes decay, they have a

smell similar to rotting fish.

Fish utilize the larvae of blind

mosquitoes as a food source. However,

the nuisance derived from large numbers

of blind mosquitoes far out weighs the

benefits.

There are 3,000 – 4,000 species of

aquatic midges in the world, of which a

few species have economic importance.

Some species breed in the rice fields and

cause damage to rice roots. Some

species of larvae and adults may cause

some medical problems, such as

allergies and asthma. The species with

small-body size may fly into peoples’

mouths, eyes, and ears. Some people

may inhale the pests.

Life Cycle:

Blind mosquitoes have four stages in

their life cycle. A gravid female may lay

about 1,000 eggs on the water’s surface

during early evening or morning. The

egg mass will sink to the bottom of the

body of water where the eggs hatch into

larvae in 2-7 days.

After hatching, the 1st stage larvae feed

on gelatinous material for about 2 days

and then leave the mass. They burrow

into the mud and make tubes or

tunnels to live. The tube has an opening

at the end to allow the larvae to feed.

The larvae feed on suspended matter in

the water and organic matter in the mud.

After molting, the larvae look pinkish or

a deep red color and the stage lasts for

4-7 days depending on temperature.

The pupae leave the tube and swim to

the water’s surface. The pupae do not

feed and take a few hours to emerge.

Male and female adults usually swarm

at night to mate. They do not feed and

live for 3-7 days. The adults die after

mating and laying their eggs. The entire

life cycle of the blind mosquitoes usually

takes about 2 weeks. In St. Johns

County, Florida, it occurs from April to

November, with the majority of the

activity from June to September. There

were 6-7 emerging peaks in 2006.

Prevention & Control:

Blind mosquitoes are extremely difficult

and costly to control because the larvae

live on the river, lake or pond bottom.

The entire volume of water must be

treated to provide effective control.

Usually, the larval control is not feasible

except for a small lake and pond. In

small lakes and ponds, Bacillus

thuringienis israelensis or Altosid which

is used for mosquito larval control may

be used for blind mosquito control, but

the application rate should be 8-10 times

more than the rate for mosquito control.

Adult blind mosquito control should be

enhanced by controlling light traps,

electronic zappers, and /or using lights to

attract blind mosquitoes to stay in the

aquatic areas away from the residential

and recreational areas.

Individuals can control blind mosquitoes

around their homes by using fogging

units and following the label and

instructions or call pest control for

service.

The residents should limit the lights

around their homes when blind

mosquitoes emerge and repair the

screens in windows and doors and

reduce outdoor activity.

Effluent from food-processing plants,

septic tanks, sewage treatment plants,

and leaching of fertilizers from lawns

and agriculture around the lakes, rivers,

and ponds supply nutrition (food) for

blind mosquito larvae. As the available

food increases, the blind mosquito

populations increase.