Eradicated forever? Or…
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I’ll tell you about another species that ought to be eradicated, the so-called no-see-ums.
They are small enough to fit through screen doors and windows. Tiny enough to not be seen around you. And by the time one bites you, you will find you have a few more bites in rapid succession. Itchier than mosquito bites. Annoying as all ■■■■.
Anyone have experience with these things?
I never encountered them back home in Canada, but here in Costa Rica they are an everyday nuisance. I understand they are an issue in the southern US as well.
https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/aquatic/biting_midges.htm
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Florida kayak tours always complain about 'em. They’re bad
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Horrible little ■■■■■■■. The bites are super itchy and feel like burning too.
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I’m a retired aquatic entomologist, and worked for Off! repellents for 20 plus years in R&D. Those are really nasty and are very common in Florida, Georgia coastal areas (e.g. salt marshes). We would test products on them in FL around the Crystal River area. Folks sell their homes to unsuspecting folks during the winter months and they sell again the following year ;). Window screens need to be a finer mesh for them vs mosquitoes.
The bites from these guys are far worse than mosquitoes but will heal better if you don’t itch them, but that’s a challenge as the bites will persist for a couple weeks. While waiting to heal stay away from the fire ant mounds…
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We’ve won the war against the Murder Hornets!
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Bugman! Of course, I should have thought of you.
I have lived in many different areas of Costa Rica, from sea level, where there would be salt water marshes, to where I am now in the highlands where there is only freshwater. I think there must be species that have adapted to this climate. I live in a very modern cabin, the issue is there is a screen that provides air flow between the top of the walls and the ceiling. Not fine enough to keep them out at feeding times. Super super annoying to sit down to work INDOORS and have to think about bug spray.
The only thing that seems to provide relief is a baking soda/vinegar application. Reduces irritation about 50%, which in this case is significant.
The really annoying part is the multiple bites that happen quickly. I guess they detect mammal breath like other biting insects?
Also, going to invest in a fan to keep them off me while working. Forgot about that trick. Used that before vs. mosquitoes.
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Yes sirree. Found out the hard way.
We visited Crystal River a few years ago, because the river is crystal clear, many manatees, and my wife, who likes to scuba but doesn’t like depths, wanted to try it out. Our first few days there were great. We were wondering why the area wasn’t more populated, it was a great temperature and pretty scenic. One afternoon, we were changing from our car trunk from scuba gear to regular clothes, and HOLY SHEET, we were eaten up like there’s no tomorrow. We found out why it’s relatively still undeveloped.
We get these no-seeums very occasionally on the FL east coast, but I think they are ALWAYS around on the northern west coast of FL.
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I used to live in coastal South Carolina and bought a home right next to a retention pond. I thought I was so clever not having neighbors to piss me off and instead had this nice pond. Rookie northerner mistake. Those little bastards are most active at dusk, just the time I was getting home from work. They would travel in clouds and they were just waiting for me to get out of the car.
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Not sure which one is worse?! 
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In savannah they called their team after them. Until they decided to be bananas! They were the sand knats. Those little buggers are the worst. Eating your ankles up while you are driving. Hard to drive and swat and itch all at same time. I think thats the true reason cruise control was invented.
I get torn up by the bugs down in Florida. I have made Florida a home, but honestly I miss the midwest. The best part of Florida is the winter and not shoveling snow or getting your car all tore up from salt and melt water car mats
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