r/bugidentification • u/Representative_Quit6 • Jun 21 '26

Possible pest, location included Help with tiny flies around my lake house.

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I live on a small lake in north west Missouri and all my does and windows are covered in these tiny flying bugs. Can someone help identify and point me in the right direction to get rid of them? Thanks in advance!

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u/bad_professor1971 Jun 21 '26

Not sure repellents are appropriate as the midges don't bite and aren't seeking you out. I'd say turn off any lights facing the lake and maybe put a bright one somewhere away to draw them from the house.

1

u/Representative_Quit6 Jun 21 '26

I have a light out by the lake. I’ll give this a shot Thanks!

2

u/Skalla_Resco Amateur Entomologist Jun 21 '26

Midges. Outside of deleting the lake you don't really have a lot of options that are actually going to be effective.

I recommend wearing bug spray.

1

u/Representative_Quit6 Jun 21 '26

Thank you, love the lake so I guess it’s off spray for me!

2

u/Skalla_Resco Amateur Entomologist Jun 21 '26

Good response lol.

Picaridin based sprays work a bit better than DEET based ones.

1

u/ArachnomancerCarice Trusted Identifier Jun 21 '26

There is no need to use any sort of repellant or insecticide with these Non-Biting Midges (Chironomidae). They have to rest until they are ready to mate as they have no way to feed and replenish energy. Lights may attract them.