Biting midges
Midges are often called 'sandflies', however not every sandfly is a midge. 'Sandfly' is a common name for a number of types of small biting insects. Use this page to find out about midges and midge control in Brisbane.
Increasing nuisance
Until recently, midges have been a minor nuisance in Brisbane. However, their presence and nuisance has been increasing. This has been since the arrival of a more serious pest midge species C. ornatus in the western suburbs.
Effect of midges
Midge bites can:
- cause severe itching that can persist over time
- result in open sores caused by prolonged scratching
- cause sores to become infected and so itchy that they disturb sleep (in extreme cases).
Consult your doctor for advice on treating sores and reactions from the biting midge.
According to Queensland Health, midges do not transmit disease to humans in Australia.
Personal and household protection
Some simple actions may provide personal and local protection from midges.
Protective clothing
Wear light coloured clothing, preferably long pants and long sleeves when outdoors. Wear protective clothing in the early morning, late afternoon and into the evening.
Insect repellents
Use insect repellents as directed. Consult your doctor on the suitability of insect repellents for short and long-term use.
Insect repellent generally includes one of the following active ingredients.
- diethyl toluamide (DEET)
- picaridin.
The concentration of DEET varies and is higher in ‘tropical’ strength formulations. When the biting midge numbers are intense, higher concentrations of DEET are more effective (somewhere around 15-20%).
Picaridin is the alternative active ingredient in some insect repellents.
Indoors
You can deter insects indoors by:
- using ceiling and pedestal fans (midges don’t like air currents)
- spraying window screens with an aerosol to reduce numbers of midges coming through
- using 240 volt plug-in pads.
Outdoors
You can deter insects outdoors by using:
- mosquito coils
- small lanterns that have a tea candle burning under an impregnated pad (same active ingredient as mosquito coils but 100 times more concentrated)
- a product similar to the small lantern that uses a mini gas cylinder to heat the pad.
These products are for outdoor use only.
Barrier treatments
Barrier or harbourage treatment involves applying residual pesticide in the yard around your house. This treatment may reduce midge numbers for up to six weeks though not totally eliminate midges. Apply the pesticide to shrubs, foliage, fences, house walls and screens.
Licensed pest controllers may use a product with bifenthrin (synthetic pyrethrin) as barrier treatment.
There are also products available at supermarkets with bifenthrin. They are sold in ready-to-use one, two or three litre packs with a hand trigger. You must take care to follow the manufacturer’s instructions with these products.
This chemical treatment is indiscriminate and will kill most other insects over the six-week period that it is active. Do not apply to plants that are in flower and attracting other insects.
What Council is doing
Council has been controlling mosquito larvae for many years using environmentally safe chemicals. However, Council cannot control midges over broad areas as:
- there are no chemicals available or registered in Australia to control midge larvae
- the larvae live in mud in fragile ecosystems. Council would need to use unacceptably high concentrations of chemicals to penetrate the mud to control them.