Ora

What attracts midges to humans?

Published in Midge Attractants 2 mins read

Midges, often called no-see-ums, punkies, or sandflies, are primarily attracted to humans, pets, and livestock by a combination of cues: carbon dioxide (CO2), body heat, and specific scents. These tiny biting insects use these signals to locate their blood-meal sources.

Key Attractants for Midges

Midges possess highly sensitive receptors that allow them to detect the subtle environmental changes indicating the presence of a potential host.
  • Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
    Living beings, including humans, animals, and pets, exhale carbon dioxide as a byproduct of respiration. This CO2 plume acts as a crucial long-range attractant, signaling the presence of a host from a distance. Midges are adept at following these CO2 trails to pinpoint their targets.

  • Body Heat
    Warm-blooded creatures constantly emit body heat. Midges are drawn to this thermal signature, which helps them identify living hosts, especially as they get closer. The warmth provides a clear indication of a metabolic process and a potential blood meal.

  • Specific Scents
    Humans and animals release a variety of unique scents through their skin, sweat, and breath. These "particular scents" include a complex blend of volatile organic compounds, lactic acid, ammonia, and other chemicals. Midges are highly sensitive to these specific chemical cues, which guide them to their final landing spot for feeding.

How Midges Find Their Targets

Once midges become aware of these cues—be it the CO2 plume from afar, the body heat, or the distinct blend of human scents up close—they actively hunt down their target. They follow these sensory trails with remarkable precision, eventually landing on exposed skin to feed.


Attractant Why It Attracts Midges
Carbon Dioxide Indicates respiration from living beings (long-range signal)
Body Heat Signals the presence of a warm-blooded host (closer-range signal)
Specific Body Scents Chemical cues released by skin and sweat (precise landing guide)


Understanding these attractants is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate midge bites and manage their populations effectively.