No see ums

Question

I hear they are really bad. Are they out all day and night, just certain times/weather conditions. What can I do to prepare?

Visiting in a week.

Answer

Good question. Yes — “no-see-ums” (biting midges) are a real thing in Southwest Florida, including Marco Island, and they can be annoying. But there are ways to prepare so they don’t ruin your trip. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what to expect, when they’re most active, and how to minimize their impact.

What Are No-See-Ums & When They’re Active

No-see-ums are very tiny biting flies (in the family Ceratopogonidae) — small enough that standard window or porch screens often don’t stop them.
They thrive in humid environments, especially around marshy or brackish water, mangroves, and moist soil — all of which are common in coastal Florida.
Although no-see-ums can be present year-round in southern Florida, their activity is generally highest when there’s high humidity and little wind.
Peak biting times are typically dawn and dusk, when the air is cooler, moisture is higher, and the midges’ weak flying ability is less of a liability.
However, they can still bother people during the day if conditions are shady or overcast, because those spots provide shelter from wind.

Do People Actually Notice Them on Marco Island?

Yes — some visitors report getting bitten, especially when the weather is warm, humid, and calm: > “we were only aware of the no-seeums on two days … both of which were very warm and humid days with very little wind.”
Because they are so small, you often don’t realize you’re being bitten until after — and the bites can itch badly and last a while.
On the plus side, they *do not* generally transmit diseases like mosquitoes do. According to reports, their bites are irritating rather than dangerous.

How to Protect Yourself & Minimize Bites

Here are concrete steps you can take so no-see-ums are a minor annoyance instead of a major problem:

Use insect repellent: Choose one with proven effectiveness. Repellents containing DEET or picaridin are known to work well against no-see-ums.
Wear protective clothing: Long sleeves, long pants, and light-colored fabrics help. Midges struggle to bite through even lightweight layers.
Use fine-mesh screen or netting: If you're planning to hang out on a porch or patio, use “no-see-um” mesh (20-mesh or tighter) on screens — standard screens may not block them.
Bring a fan: These flies are weak fliers. Running a fan indoors, on your patio, or deck can significantly reduce their ability to land on you.
Avoid peak times: If possible, minimize your outdoor time right at dawn and dusk, when they’re most active.
Light control: Turn off or dim bright lights in the evening; no-see-ums are sometimes attracted to lights.

How to Treat Bites If They Happen

Wash the bites with soap and water soon after being bit to remove irritants.
Apply a cool compress, or put on anti-itch creams like hydrocortisone or calamine lotion.
Take an oral antihistamine (e.g., Benadryl or Claritin) if you're very itchy or have a strong reaction.
Some people use natural home remedies, like a baking soda paste, to help calm the itch.

What to Expect During Your Visit (Next Week)

Since you're visiting Marco Island soon: yes, there’s a possibility of encountering no-see-ums, especially in the morning and evening, or if you’re hanging around marshy or shaded areas. But it’s unlikely to be constant or overwhelmingly bad for your whole stay — many people report only occasional bites, especially when wind is present to help keep them at bay.

If you take the precautions above — especially using repellent, wearing covering clothing, and staying in breezy or screened-in areas — you should be able to enjoy your trip without being completely driven indoors by biting midges.

Bottom Line: No-see-ums are real and *can* bite you on Marco Island, but they’re not unstoppable. Use repellent, cover up, use a fan or fine mesh, and avoid prime bite times, and you’ll greatly reduce your risk. Even if a few manage to land, their bites are more of an irritation than a health threat, and you’ll likely be able to enjoy your trip just fine.