How to Treat No-See-Um Bites
Just because a bug has a fun name, doesn't mean it won't bite you just as hard as the other ones. No-see-ums are tiny flying insects that are incredibly difficult to spot. Also known as biting midges, punkies, sand flies or biting gnats, these flying insects are small enough to fit through the mesh screens of windows and doors. They are also easy to overlook when they swarm around you or land on your skin. But after they bite, you'll definitely know they were there.
No-see-um bites are painful and itchy, but the havoc they wreak can be more than skin deep. Like mosquitoes, these tiny biting insects can also transmit diseases to humans. Luckily, you can minimize your risk of infection and potential risk of illness by taking care of your no-see-um bites with a combination of over-the-counter medicines and home remedies. These are our top tips for treating no-see-um bites that will stop the itching almost immediately and get you back to your day in peace.
How to Treat No-Seem-Um Bites
If you're suffering from painful, itchy no-see-um bites, use these steps to treat them:
- Pay attention to your bites. They usually look like a small red dot or raised welt that hurts, burns or itches. No-see-ums go after any exposed skin, but they seem to enjoy the back of your neck or legs especially. Look for a cluster of red dots, as it is unusual to have just one bite from this type of bug.
- Wash the bite thoroughly with warm water and mild soap. Try to wash the area as soon as you notice it to reduce any irritation from the bug's saliva and reduce the risk of infection.
- It may be hard to resist the urge, but try to avoid scratching your no-see-um bites. Scratching can break the skin's surface and make it easier for infections to develop. Scratching is also an easy way for those bumps to become welts.
- Use ice or a cold compress for pain and itch relief. Apply the ice to the itchy welts or spots for 10 minutes or so to numb the skin, which will lower your discomfort and reduce any swelling.
- Calm the itch and redness with over-the-counter products. Try an anti-itch steroid or antihistamine cream to soothe any pain, swelling or irritation. You can also take an oral analgesic or allergy medication to stop pain and reduce any reaction from the bite.
- If you don't have any topical treatments at home, make your own by combining baking soda with vinegar or witch hazel. Apply this paste to the bites to lessen any discomfort. Toothpaste is also a great remedy in a pinch.
- If your reaction to no-see-um bites is more severe, including trouble breathing, difficulty swallowing or rashes, you should seek medical attention immediately. Plan to see a doctor if you observe any signs of infection where the no-see-um bit you.
How to Tell No-See-Um Bites From Other Insect Bites
Treating no-see-um bites is similar to what you do for mosquito bites; after all, these biting insects feed on blood to encourage the production and development of their eggs. But how do you know which bug bit you?
First, let's start with gnat and mosquito bites, which often look very similar, causing inflamed, itchy, red bumps on your skin. With no-see-um bites, these may be more clustered and smaller than the other types.
Bug anatomy also plays into the appearance and feel of each bite. Mosquitoes inject their straw-like mouths into our skin to extract blood, often leaving a welt with a puncture wound in the middle. Gnats and no-see-ums "surgically" slice and cut into the skin of their prey with their mouth-based cutters to allow the blood to pool, making it easier for them to feed. This tiny wound can last longer because it is more than a single puncture.
Finally, consider how long each type of bug bite lasts and how they change over time. Mosquito bites are more random, and they can fade quickly. No-see-um bites can morph from small red dot clusters to raised welts lasting almost two weeks.
Who to Call for Mosquito, No-See-Um and Other Pest Control
Don't spend one more day serving up your friends and family as a buffet for biting insects. MosquitoNix® has effective pest control solutions, including misting systems and fogging treatments, to protect your residential and commercial property from unwanted insect visitors. Call us at (855) 808-2847 or contact us online to learn more about our services and schedule your free estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions About No-See-Ums
Do no-see-ums suck blood?
For the most part, these tiny insects primarily feast on flower nectar as their primary food source. However, female no-see-ums need blood to reproduce and develop eggs. That is where you come in.
What happens during the blood-sucking process?
When a female no-see-um bites, she injects her saliva under the host animal's skin, causing the blood to pool and making it easier for the insect to take what she needs.
When are no-see-ums most active?
No-see-ums are most active during dusk and dawn. If you happen to be outside during these times, you are at an increased risk of being bitten.
Do no-see-ums lay eggs in your skin?
If a no-see-um has bitten you, there's little to worry about besides itchiness and irritation. After a blood meal, the female no-see-um often seeks out a body of water to lay her eggs, such as a riverbank, a marsh, a still pond or even a hollowed-out tree stump.
What is the best way to get rid of no-see-ums?
To protect your family from no-see-um bites, call MosquitoNix. We have several effective options for eliminating no-see-ums and other pests that can cause discomfort when they bite.
People Also Ask
What does a no-see-um bite look like?
No-see-um bites look a little different than mosquito bites. These are more intense bites that appear as a little cluster of red bumps. Depending on a person's reaction, they could swell to welt-size lumps.
How do you get rid of no-see-um bites fast?
As soon as you come inside, you want to check exposed skin for no-see-um bites. If you find any, immediately wash the area with soap and water. You can then go through the tips for treating no-see-um bites fast we have to find the one that best works for your skin.
How long do bites from no-see-ums last?
Whether the bites stay small or swell to welt size, they can stay on the skin for two weeks. If you do develop welts, these could take even longer to heal and completely go away.
Why do no-see-ums itch so badly?
It's the female no-see-ums that bite you. When they do, their saliva is injected right under your skin, causing the blood to pool. This little red dot of pooled blood will start to itch so badly and will take all of your willpower to not scratch your skin off.
How do you keep no-see-ums off of you?
If you are out in your yard, candles, sprays, lotions and other products made with essential oils will keep the no-see-ums away. You could also place bug traps around or use bug spray with DEET or ones specifically for biting midges. The best bug spray for no-see-ums will have certain scents that pesky tiny bugs do not like.
What scents do no-see-ums hate?
No-see-ums do not like mint, camphor, lemon or eucalyptus. Gather these essential oils any way you can to keep those tiny bugs that bite as far away as possible.
53 Responses
MICHELLE K
We live near Tampa FL and booked a beach getaway for 10 days to Bradenton Beach/Anna Maria Island, FL. Day 3: woke to dozens of bites!!! Thought the house had bed bugs! NOW I KNOW WHATS BITING ME!! Using many of the remedies posted in this blog…antihistamine for itch relief and topical Cortizone 10, mix of tea tree & lavender oil, putting on DEET spray (not a fan) before going onto patio. Needless to say, very frustrating and these little suckers put a huge damper on my vacation. Thank you for having this information in this blog, most helpful I’ve read in 5 days!
Jim Burns
I live in florida and have a creek in the back yard. I have a screened in lanai and the noseeums are still getting in. What can I spray to stop them. I have been using the back yard fogger and seems to kill them. Any other recommendations?? Thanks
MosquitoNix
Felicia, thank you for sharing your personal experience and remedy suggestions with our blog readers.
Lynn Thornton
I had severe bites and was not sure what it was. The itching was intense! My husband ordered Maximum Strength Benadryl itch stopping Gel and it is a Godsend. Stops the itch almost immediately.
felicia
my mother has an infestation of no see ums in her rv. we have tried everything. including local pest control (helped for 1 day). absolutely nothing gets rid of them. the only thing that has helped keep them from taking over the place is i use my floor steamer. i steam closets, ceilings, curtains, cabinets, behind appliances as well as vents. the problem is i can’t do this every day. in the meantime her legs are covered with bites and she looks like a burn victim, her legs are red and swollen, she is elderly and can barely walk. the worst part is she has been to several doctors including specialists and no one believes her. the bites seem infected as a yellowish pus constantly weeps from all the bites. also she uses a hair dryer for intense itching. Vicks vapor rub works best, as well as “repel” in the red can found in the hunting section of Walmart. lemon grass in spray works some. products containing menthol help too. I also used vicks liquid in my steamer a few times which really worked, but the smell got to her. only use a small amount in your steamer. (a small steamer will not work, not enough steam) hope this helps. we are moving her out of that rv soon. only real solution. You can also purchase “demon” from a feed store this is a pest control that you mix with water and use a sprayer to apply. has no odor and when dry is safe for pets. my mother won’t let me use this because of her allergies. when a bug, scorpion or whatever lands on it or walks across they will die. also it will last for up to 6 months. good luck everyone. (we are in central texas).
MosquitoNix
Tonjah, thank you for commenting and sharing your experience! We are sorry to hear that you’ve been bitten by no-see-ums many times. We hope that the information found in this blog provides some relief to your symptoms.
MosquitoNix
Dave, Thank you for sharing your personal at home remedy for no-see-ums with our readers. We appreciate you taking the time to read our post and participate in commenting.
Shirley. Hale
I have been all summer trying to get rid of gnats that bite and causes blister like places I have used everything trying to get rid of these gnats and nothing works they itch and are driving me crazy any solutions welcomed
Tonjah
This is the second time this summer I’ve been attached my noseeumms. The first time I thought it was mosquitos. Then we went back to a remote creek area in AZ and it happened again. Next morning I awake to over 35 bites all over my back. The itching is horrible. My entire back is cover with red swollen makes from the bits. I just happened upon your blog. Until now I had no idea what was biting me. I hate hot showers but I’ll try it to ease the pain and itch.
MosquitoNix
Darcie, thank you for contacting our team and sharing your experience. Each person may react differently to various insect bites. It is possible the bites you are experiencing are indeed no-see-um bites despite no-itching. The bites can show-up a fews days after being bitten and worsen over time. If the bites continue to become red or irritated please contact your family physician to avoid the bite from becoming infected. Thank you again for reaching out. If you have any further questions, please feel free to email use at info@mosquitonix.com.
MosquitoNix
Sandy, thank you for commenting and following our blog post about No-See-Ums. It is possible to have a delayed reaction upwards of 5+ days to these type of bites. We hope the cream provides some relief from these bites. If you have interest in learning more about our service and products please feel free to contact us directly at info@mosquitonix.com.
dave
A bit late to this post, but one of the best remedies for No see um’s is to use a “hotty” – one of those rubber water containers , to warm your belly up. The heat of the hotty is consistent, and gives instant relief – long lasting too :D. Its getting me by nicely – just don’t burn yourself, it can cause blisters.
Darcie
Someone told me they thought my bites were noseeums but reading your info still has me wondering. They start off with a pinpoint spot. No itching don’t notice it until I see it. Within a week or so it becomes a bigger red scab like spot about the size of a nail head. No itching. It only happens in the summer so I don’t think it is bedbugs or anything like that. I’m at a TOTAL loss! Any ideas? Appreciated thank you
Sandy
I was at the beach in S Carolina recently and received what I believe to be No-see-um bites. It has been 9 days and since the first bites and 5 days since I left. It seems like new spots are popping up still. I went to the dermatologist to rule out bed bugs, scabies, etc. He agreed they were bites of some sort and gave me some cortisone cream. He said there is a delayed reaction sometimes. Is it possible that new bumps could still be showing up 4 to 5 days out?
MosquitoNix
Steve, thank you for sharing your tip for relief from itch and pain caused by no-see-um bites. No-see-ums breed and are located near bodies of water or moist soil. They can also be found near wet sand along seashores, so it is best to avoid these areas if you are prone to no-see-um bites. Some additional factors that may increase your chance of being bitten include: body heat, acid production, increased carbon dioxide, genetic factors and potentially blood type. Regarding body odor or fragrances, these do not seem to have a significant impact on whether or not a no-see-um will bite you. Thanks again for reading and be sure to contact us at info@mosquitonix.com if you’d like to learn more about our services or products.
Steve
Preventing no-see-um bites? Are there medical conditions such as diabetes that might cause a specific body odor that attracts the no-see-ums? Are specific shampoos and body washes (soap) that should be avoided? Believe it or not, I have found that Vick’s Vapor Rub gives me almost instant relief from pain and itching.
MosquitoNix
Katie, we are sorry to hear of your encounter with no-see-ums. You’re lucky in that they are not a year round problem for you. That said, that does not make them any less annoying or itchy. We appreciate you taking the time to read our blog post and share your own itch relief tips. If you have any questions or would like to learn about our portable product that helps control biting insects, please feel to contact our team at info@mosquitonix.com.
MosquitoNix
Mary, we are happy to know you found the information on our blog valuable. We hope that some of these relief tips have provided some results. If you would like to learn more about our products and service regarding no-see-um control please feel free to contact info@mosquitonix.com. We look forward to hearing from you. Have a great day!
MosquitoNix
Stan, we are sorry to hear about your wife and her 67 bites. We can understand how frustrating no-see-ums can be. We thank you for reading our blog and sharing your own experience along with helpful itch relief tips. Next time when you are traveling you should check out our portable MosquitoNix On-The-Go dispenser that helps eliminate biting insects. Feel free to reach out to info@mosquitonix.com if you have any questions. Thank you again!
MosquitoNix
Theresa, thank you for taking the time to read our blog post. We appreciate you sharing your experience as well with our readers. We are happy to hear the information was helpful. Be sure to let us know if you need any help eliminating no-see-ums and other biting insects like mosquitoes from your property. Have a nice day!
Theresa
After reviewing no-see-um bites, I believe that is what happened to me. All I know is that it hurt like crazy when I was bit and when I looked down at my ankle I saw a little fly looking insect. I thought maybe it was a miniature bee! I could see a red dot, it swelled, turned bright red, itched like crazy, and spread in diameter (1-2 inches) on my ankle. It’s been two weeks and my skin is discolored still from the bite. I wonder if this should be concerning? This article was very helpful! Thank you!
Stan Paregien
My wife spent 3 days at an island here in Florida over the 4th of July. She came home with 67 bites. Very itchy. First time ever. She seldom gets misquito bites. Have tried ivarest itch spray which helps a little.
Mary
Thank you for this valuable information. I am covered with these lovely welts. But now that i know how to treat them hopefuly I can get them under control.
Linda
Was cleaning under a bush the other day and they just came out and attacked me. At first I thought it was allergy to a plant but a lady saw my leg and said, oh my the no see ums got you! I looked at pictures and yes my leg matched a picture. They hurt something awful and itch. I have been doing most of what was written here. Keeping the area clean with warm water and then applying calamine to the area. At night to sleep I take a Benadryl. Left leg not as bad as the right. I also purchased leg and arm covers so when I go out they leave me alone and gives the old bites time to heal. I sprayed the area with flying bug killer hopefully kill them where they live and breed. Wow they itch like crazy and I know they love my blood but this attack was unexpected and I didn’t know! I found a lemongrass deodorant made by Dove and spray myself before going out and notice they don’t like that either. I now feel armed against all flying biting insects. I live in Az so not a year round problem, thank goodness.
MosquitoNix
Robert, we appreciate you sharing your no-see-um bite remedy! We know that helpful tips such as yours will provide readers with the relief they are looking for. Thank you for reading. Have a great day!
Katie
I live in Alaska and the no seeums are just awful, beginning in the Spring and going through until September, October when it cools down. Our summers in the capital city are very mild, up to mid 70s in the daytime and down in the 40s at night. I have to wear netted hats and long sleeve shirts and pants when working in the yard. We found that dryer sheets rubbed on the clothes and left hanging out of pockets deters them some, but the saliva they inject when biting causes a real awful reaction on me leaving a huge bump (sometimes the size of a quarter). Peppermint, lavender and tea tree oils sometimes help. Apple cider vinegar I haven’t tried but will after reading one of the above posts. Does your spray have DEET in it? Any other nasty chemicals? If it is organic, I’m willing to try. To respond to a posting, yes these are tiny, dark bugs about the size of a pin head. They don’t seem too active in the early part of the day and get very busy in the late afternoons. I have tried successfully to do most of my yard work early in the day to avoid the worst of the biters.
MosquitoNix
KJ, Thank you so much for sharing this interesting tidbit about your turmeric supplements. We appreciate you reading and commenting! Come back soon to visit us again. We hope you continue to find relief from no-see-um bites.
Sandra Grombala
No see um’s* bite me worse than any mosquito ever! Mosquitoes love me. I moved from Michigan to Florida a year and a half ago. I just went out to water the new sod and within 10 minutes I’m now in the house with my legs bit everywhere! I’m never doing that again without spray on. I’ll be miserable for 2 days!
Ramie Burnell
I can be in a group of 10 people but I am the only one ending up with no-see-um bites. Why? They bother me relentlessly. I find relief in a product ‘anti-itch’ I can purchase at the dollar store.
Robert
I have recently been at Vero Beach, FL and got my share of “no-see’um” bites on just my legs from the knees down. The creams and sprays work for a short time, but the best solution for me is get in the shower with a spray attachment and just spray my legs with water that’s really hot. I can then get a good nights sleep. I been doing this for a few days so far, but itching is almost not a issue.
KJ
In spite of my best efforts in using protective clothing and repellants, no-see-ums have caused me great misery. In the fall of 2018, I started taking a 1000 mg turmeric supplement for general health reasons. To my surprise, I have not had a single bug bite since. I hadn’t made the correlation until this spring when I knew the bug hatch had to be in full swing. Usually, the no-see-ums find a way to sneak through a button hole or inside a pant leg…but I am bite-free!!
MosquitoNix
Hi Joe, thank you for commenting and following our blog posts. No-see-um bites can cause welts that may last up to 2 weeks, but it does vary from individual to individual. Since the welts may cause intense itching and scratching, these welts may last longer and may become infected. Please be sure to check with a physician if you have any concerns or possible infection.
Joe
How long do the welts last? I got swarmed in August and I think the red dots on my arm are from the noseeum bites.
MosquitoNix
Brandon, thank you for taking the time to follow along and read the MosquitoNix blog post about no-see-ums. We appreciate your comment. Be sure to check out some of our other blog post too. Have a great day!
Brandon Chick
Great Blog. I really like your this kind of useful blog. Thanks for sharing with us
MosquitoNix
Debbie, thank you for following our blog post and sharing your recommendations! We appreciate your comment.
Debbie Hoyng
As soon as I feel them bite, I rub 100% aloe vera on the area. It doesn’t stop the itching immediately, but within the hour, the bites are totally gone. I am very allergic to them, and without the aloe, the bites will itch for days and days. Aloe is a miracle for me.
MosquitoNix
Barbara, thank you for reading and commenting! You’re right no-see-ums in Florida are the worst. We appreciate you sharing this helpful tip with our other readers. Keep following and checking back for new blogs and articles.
Barbara
Pure 100% lavender oil helps me tremendously! I like on a lake in Florida and nosseuums are a huge problem here!!!!
Jools |archer
I live near a lake and I get bitten a fair amount round sept/oct and also spring..Its a white pimple which basically becomes a blister (welt) I have stickies on my windows round the house and you’d be surprised how many of these critters end up on the stickies….it helps..this morning as I am typing this up I saw a no see um near my computer screen and guess what? I ended up with a welt on the inside of my middle finger what I want to know is..are these blood suckers? if they arn’t why do they bite so hard..it’s itchy and painful..I take an oral antihistamine every day…(and I remember to change my antihistamines from time to time as you can get immune) also hydrocortisone,,,and tea tree cream helps…..I’ve had comments when i’ve had a few welts on my hands from people..and they are surprised when i say it’s no see um bites…mosquito bites i must have immunity cos i don’t notice those at all…I should remind people when they see my blisters that i live on a lake and obviously they like me for some reason..I don’t buy the hormonal thing b cos I haven’t got any female hormones after operation …
MosquitoNix
Thank you for commenting Marty and sharing this helpful tip with our readers.
MosquitoNix
Anthony, thank you for reading our post and sharing your own experience. You are right, it can be very helpful for the pest control operator to have a physical sample of the insect. It is not necessary, but it can provide much needed information when developing the best treatment plan. We appreciate you sharing this recommendation. Be sure to check out our other articles and share this resource with friends and family. Have a great day. If you want to learn more or are looking for service in your area feel free to contact us at (844) 483-3213 or email info@mosquitonix.com.
Marty
I know not to itch bug bites but these little suckers are NASTY! Took Benadryl and put maximum strength Aspercreme on my body. This seemed to help me.
Anthony
I just had an infestation of these tiny monsters. I was bitten every 30 seconds for hours while I was at work. I looked up some remedies and one that worked fantastic is pouring red wine in cups all over the place. I found hundreds of them dead in all the cups. Also this allowed me to show the exterminator exactly what I was dealing with.
MosquitoNix
Rebecca, thanks for reading and commenting! It can some times be difficult to determine the source of a bite or irritation. When it comes to no-see-um bites they can be extremely bothersome, itchy and in some instances painful. Quite often these bites occur in clusters as a small red dot eventually turning into a welt.
MosquitoNix
Cynthia, great comment! Thank you for taking the time to share your first-hand experience with our readers. You have shared some great recommendations that we know will be useful. Thank you for reading and be sure to check out our other blog post for news, interesting facts and more. Have a wonderful day.
Rebecca
I have been bitten as Bill F describes….the white headed pimple and extremely intense itchiness. What is this insect or sun allergy? It goes not sound like the no-see-um nite you describe.
Cynthia
I encountered these black dot insects on the top of Whiteface Mountain, NY. I have learned about them on the internet and this site. The bites stung, the next day is when the welts came up, and the itching. I used apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball and it works good, 100% peppermint oil that works leaving a warm tingle without the itching, and also took a warm shower using the showerhead on the bites to soothe the itch and then followed with cool water. All these were very helpful…not itching for about 2 hours after waking. The bumps do get a “white head” on them, then open with a clear fluid coming out. I reapply apple cider vinegar at this time that stings briefly…but no itch after. Hope this helps others!
MosquitoNix
These biting gnats (no-see-ums) are hard to see and extremely bothersome as well as painful. We do not currently service Murray, Utah; however, we do offer an affordable retail product called MosquitoNix On-The-Go that kills mosquitoes, flies, gnats and other biting insects fast. You can purchase this product online at www.MosquitoNix.com or email us at info@mosquitonix.com to learn more.
Clark Kay
Home is located in Murray, Utah (SLC) My son and I have been bitten many times in the past 2 years. this August I have about 60 bites.always under clothing, never on exposed skin. we used repellent but it did not help. painful and itching intense ..looking for solution to rid the area of these pests.
MosquitoNix
A no-see-um (biting midge/sand flea) are the smallest of all gnats and are almost invisible (1-4mm long). The bite can be more painful than a mosquito. It appears as a red spot and may itch at first or cause intense burning. This bite can also form a reddish/whitish welt about the size of a typical freckle.
Bill F
Need Picture showing no-see-um size. What is biting me is black, About the size of a pencil dot. When trying to capture with packing tape it will not stick and just flies off. Leaves a white sharp pointed pimple if left alone. If scratched and broke open, itching is intense. Seems to take up to 24 hours to form the white tip pimple. Not sure of the species.
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Marjorie
August 06, 2021
Very helpful information but has anyone encountered these bites on their scalp also ?