Although midges closely resemble mosquitoes, they "pose no threat to pets or people and are an important part of the food chain for local and migratory waterfowl," according to the Alameda County (California) Mosquito Abatement District Does this Spark an idea?
Midges
Midges are tiny insects found in swampy areas. While they do not bite and therefore represent no real need for a repellent, they are attracted to light sources and lanterns at outdoor events and can be annoying.
Repellents
DEET, or N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, is a chemical repellent that works on both mosquitoes and midges.
Natural mosquito and midge repellents include eucalyptus and citrus oil. Adding a few drops of either to a spray bottle filled with water creates a natural repellent spray.
Considerations
While DEET is an effective repellent, it should not be used on children for extended lengths of time and it should not be used on infants at all. You may help reduce your exposure to mosquitoes and midges by installing tight-fitting screens on windows and doors in your home.
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