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No See Ums – The Pest You Can’t See Coming!

No See Ums – The Pest You Can’t See Coming!

by Lisa Porter in Flea & Tick Protection

How to Get Rid of No-See-Ums and Protect Your Pets from Painful Bites

What Are No-See-Ums and Why Are They a Problem?

No see ums are a type of small, pesky insect that can quickly become a nuisance to dogs, cats and humans. While these tiny, biting insects are nearly invisible to the naked eye, their bites can be highly irritating, making them a serious problem. 

What Are No See Ums?

No see ums are tiny biting flies measuring 1-3 millimeters in length and can be found near fresh or stagnant bodies of water. The larvae feed on organic matter in the soil and water, while the adults feed on the blood of birds and mammals.

How No-See-Ums Find Your Dog

Dogs are most at risk when they’re outdoors during early morning or late afternoon, which is when no-see-ums are most active. The are drawn to the warmth from a dog's body, exhaled carbon dioxide and moisture from the coat or skin. They also can smell the sweat or scent that dog's emit. When your dog walks through wet grass, standing water or decaying organic matter regardless of how small, they become easy targets for no-see-ums. 

Why Their Bites Are a Problem

No-see ums bites can be extremely painful and cause intense itching. These flies tend to bite are the most sensitive areas on dogs and cats: ankles, ears and paws. No see ums bites can lead to secondary infections if not treated properly. Unfortunately, no-see-ums can spread diseases such as flea-borne typhus and even encephalitis, so it’s important to take their bites seriously.

My Story -

I speak from experience. I do a lot of hiking in Red Rocks, near Las Vegas. One summer, I couldn't figure out why my legs were covered with itchy red bumps that kept me scratching nonstop. I later learned it was from no-see-ums. Now, I protect myself any time I hit the trails.

Lisa Porter, Founder of PawPurity

Where Do No-See-Ums Live?

No-see-ums are commonly found near ponds, lakes, marshes, or other areas with standing water. They also thrive in forests, grasslands, and even desert regions like Nevada and Arizona. In many cases, they can be present right in your own backyard.

No-See-Ums Can Enter Your Home

No-see ums can be particularly annoying when they enter your home, often through open windows and doors. Once inside, they will hide in crevices and cracks and make their way to areas of the home that provide food and shelter. It is possible to find them in carpets, furniture, and clothing, as well as other fabrics throughout the house. If you do find them in your home, vacuum often and keep the area clear of any food or water bowls. This will make it less likely for the no-see-ums to find a place to hide and lay their eggs.

The best way to get rid of no-see-ums is to eliminate any potential entry points for them. This means sealing up cracks around windows and doors with weather stripping and caulking, as well as installing window screens or mosquito netting.

How to Treat No-See-Um Bites on Dogs and Cats

If your pet has been bitten by a no-see-um, you’ll want to take steps to reduce the itching and irritation. Applying a cold compress or PawPurity's Biogreen Enriched Shampoo can help soothe the affected area. This will help heal the bites, take away the itching and reduce inflammation. 

Here's How Biogreen Enriched Shampoo Helps Calm No-See-Um Bites

Reduces Itching & Inflammation: Herbal anti-inflammatories like calendula, chamomile, and rosemary calm redness and swelling.

Controls Infection Risk: Honey and zinc possess antimicrobial effects, helping prevent secondary infections around bite sites.

Hydrates & Repairs: Nourishing oils restore the skin barrier, reducing dryness and flare-ups after a bite.

Gentle & Safe for Sensitive Pets: Hypoallergenic, sulfate- and paraben-free—it’s safe for regular use on itchy or sensitive skin.

This shampoo is gentle, nourishing and conditioning. You can bathe your pet weekly during high-bug seasons to keep itching at bay and promote skin healing. 

When my dog, Little Guy, was 19 years old, I had to bathe him twice a day, as he was in diapers. I used this shampoo and it keep him clean without causing him to itch or drying his skin. 

Lisa Porter

Use Repelling Sprays Before Outdoor Activities

In addition to keeping the area clean, we recommend using a natural bug spray. There are many commercial sprays available that contain natural ingredients like peppermint, pine, sweet birch, tea tree, wintergreen, and ylang ylang that ward off no see ums, however, Paw Purity does NOT recommend using sprays or shampoos with these essential oils as they are toxic to dogs and cats. And, essential oils should never be applied directly to an animal’s skin without proper dilution. PawPurity offers a variety of organic flea and tick prevention products.

Use Fly Nets to Keep No-See-Ums Away

Another way to get rid of no-see-ums is to create a barrier between your pet and the bugs. One way to do this is to use fly nets, which can be purchased at most pet stores. These nets are placed over the sleeping area of your pet and should have tight mesh to keep out all types of bugs.

Ask Your Veterinarian

Finally, if the no-see-ums are still bothering your pet, you may need to talk to your veterinarian about more advanced treatments. No, there are no medications specifically designed to prevent or treat no-see-um bites in pets. However, some veterinary flea, tick, and mosquito preventatives may offer limited off-label protection against no-see-ums (biting midges). These include: 

🐾 No-See-Um Repellent Types & Safety

  • Topical Sprays (with permethrin):
    ✅ Safe for dogs | ❌ Toxic to cats

  • Medicated Collars:
    ✅ Mild fly control | ⚠️ May cause irritation or neuro issues

  • Oral Tablets (for fleas/ticks):
    ✅ May help slightly | ⚠️ Seizure risk in sensitive pets

Please Note PawPurity's Stance on Chemicals

Please keep in mind that PawPurity does not use, nor make recommendations of the above products. PawPurity believes that nature provides us with the ways and means of preventing and protecting our pets without chemicals or potentially toxic ingredients. The FDA has reported too many issues for us to be comfortable using anything on our pets that even has the slightest chance of harming them. 

A Big Hug to Your Dog

Thank you for reading. I hope this article helps you understand no-see-ums and what you can do to protect your dog from harm's way. We work diligently to keep up with news on dog and cat care products, ingredients and FDA warnings. If you want to learn more about recent discoveries in dangerous chemicals in over-the-counter flea & tick repellents read our blog: 

UC Study Discovers Deadly Chemical in 34 Flea & Tick Pet Products


Tags: bite relief dog shampoo dog hiking skin care how to repel no-see-ums natural shampoo for insect bites no-see-um bites on dogs no-see-um treatment for pets no-see-ums pawpurity biogreen shampoo pet skin irritation treatment soothing shampoo for no-see-um bites
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