Insect swarms plague many Canadians right now. Here's why
Digital Reporter
Sunday, May 3, 2015, 6:49 PM - If the warm weather makes you want to get outside, be forewarned: It's 'Midge Season.'
Chances are you've already spotted the pulsating swarms when heading out to enjoy the pleasant temperatures during the afternoon and evening hours.
You may have even inadvertently swallowed a mouthful of the tiny flies while riding your bike or taking a lakefront stroll.
Midge rainbow. Courtesy of Mark Leonard. Cobourg, Ontario.
Midges, or gnats, are tiny flies that accompany the arrival of warm temperatures every spring.
These fragile insects are less than 1 millmetre long and nearly invisible when alone or from afar. But when they get together by the millions to create a mating swarm -- watch out!
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Look close. Thousands of midges hover and watch #rockbalancing. #meditation #etobicoke pic.twitter.com/W4qrpJiCk0
— Peter Riedel (@PeterRiedel7) April 28, 2015
The insects feed on plants and hatch in water, before the sunlight draws them out. This is why you'll typically encounter larger clouds of the tiny pests closer to lakes and other bodies of water.
why can't i hold all these midges #dailyspiderpic pic.twitter.com/a4l6XALdI4
— Nev Haunting-Park (@neville_park) April 30, 2015
Joba Chamberlain in for Detroit. Games in Cleveland. Ninth inning. Here come the midges. pic.twitter.com/heAye376IX
— Mike Schaefer (@mikejschaefer) April 10, 2015
So for now, parts of Canada enjoying double digit temperatures will likely be forced to clean the pesky critters from windshields, screen doors -- even nostrils -- for at least another few weeks.
CHECK OUT: Find out important information in this interview with a gnat