Biting midges, also known as sand flies, are common along coastal areas of southeast Queensland. They are most active between the months of September and April.
Midges are drawn to human habitation and can be commonly seen resting on fences, house walls, screens and vegetations. Although midges are not known to spread diseases, their bites can cause severe itching that can last a long time, which can result to open sores caused by prolonged scratching. In severe cases, the open sores can be infected and too itchy that they disturb sleep. There’s no effective treatment and control process for midges yet and the best recommended preventive measures include keeping residences from being built close to breeding sites, wearing of protective clothing, and applying insect repellents whenever going to outdoors. There are short-term insecticide control treatments but they need to be done repeatedly.
