Pest Control

Midges

Midges are small, harmless flying insects that resemble mosquitoes but do not bite. They are most commonly found near bodies of water and emerge in large swarms during early Spring through Summer. While they are not dangerous, their presence can sometimes impact outdoor activities, especially when weather conditions favor their swarming behavior.

Why Are There So Many Midges?

Midges have a very short life cycle, living only 24-48 hours. During this time, they gather in swarms and are strongly attracted to light. These swarms can be blown into our area by the wind, and they often collect in dense masses on homes, decks, vegetation, and other outdoor surfaces. When they die, they can leave behind large piles of dead insects that may cause staining, attract other pests like spiders, and create unpleasant odors.

What You Can Do to Minimize the Impact of Midges:

1 Keep Outdoor Lights Off

This is one of the best ways to reduce their attraction, especially near decks or the pool area. If you notice midges collecting on the surface of the pool, feel free to use the pool skimmer to remove them.

2 Cover Windows and Doors

Make sure that windows and doors, especially at night, are shielded from outside light. This will help prevent attracting midges indoors.

3 Quickly Open and Close Doors

When entering or exiting the home, be sure to open and close doors quickly to prevent midges from flying inside.

Important Notes:

• Extermination treatments for midges are not effective because of their short lifespan and unpredictable behavior. There's no pest control solution for midges during their active period.
• There’s no guarantee that swarming won’t happen again, even after cleaning.

Need Assistance?

We’re happy to assess the situation and offer solutions to help minimize the impact of midges during your stay. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for assistance by texting 252-888-2595. Be sure to include photos of the area you're experiencing issues with, and we’ll do our best to help.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation with these natural occurrences!

Pest Prevention

1 Turn Off Unnecessary Exterior Lights

Turn off any unnecessary exterior lights at night, as these will attract large numbers of flying insects. Pool, deck, porch, and driveway lights (among others) are the most common areas where these pests may congregate. Closing window shades at night can also reduce any attraction from interior light.

2 Keep Doors and Windows Closed

Be sure slider doors, entryways, and windows are closed.

3 Secure Food Items

Secure food items away in sealed containers, coolers, or fridges.

4 Remove Trash Regularly

Remove trash regularly.

Pest Treatment

Twiddy is not licensed to distribute, deliver, or administer pesticides, sprays, or treatments. If your situation requires any such action, we can reimburse you for the purchase of your own treatment or can coordinate having a licensed pest control company to address the situation. It is often quicker and less disruptive to your vacation to purchase your own sprays or traps from a local hardware or grocery store. If you do so, please save your receipt to provide to the nearest Twiddy office so that we can reimburse you for the expense.

If you would prefer to have a licensed professional treat your rental home, please reach out to our Maintenance Department at (252) 457-1504 so that we can facilitate that service with a local vendor. Please bear in mind that service turnaround cannot be guaranteed by Twiddy, as these vendors are not managed by or directly affiliated with our company.

Please also keep in mind that even pest control companies cannot treat for flying insects like midges, mosquitos, and flies. Pests with a centralized nest, such as hornets, wasps, or bees, can be removed however. If a nest has been identified on the premises of your rental home, we advise you to not disturb or attempt removal.