Do you have “giant” mosquitoes flying around your home? Are you getting “swarms” stuck to your window or door? These insects may not be mosquitoes. There are many insects in LA County that emerge at the same time as mosquitoes, mainly seen in the spring, and some of them are harmless. Here are a few insects commonly mistaken for mosquitoes, and the good news is that nearly all of the “mosquito imposters” have very short life spans. Give them time, and they’ll be gone.

Crane Fly: Is it a GIANT Mosquito, or is it a Mosquito Killer?

Crane flies are long-legged insects and are much larger than mosquitoes. They’re commonly referred to as “mosquito killers” or “mosquito hawks,” but these harmless insects don’t feed on mosquitoes or humans but on nectar. That’s right – CRANE FLIES DON’T BITE. Crane flies develop in moist soil or water and mostly emerge in early spring to fall, especially during warm weather after a rain event.

Midges – Nuisance Flies that Swarm

Midges refer to small nuisance flies or insects often confused with mosquitoes. Although they’re similar in size to mosquitoes, midges swarm in areas with mud on the bottoms of lakes, ponds, spreading basins, and flood control channels. While some midges bite, The District manages non-biting midges. Midges are considered a nuisance and create issues in communities near rivers, especially from spring to fall. Learn more about our district’s efforts to deal with midges here.

Unlike midges, mosquitoes in Los Angeles County DO NOT SWARM! Midges range in size from an eighth to one-half of an inch.

Fungus Gnat

Fungus gnats are about the same size as mosquitoes and range between 1/8 and 3/8 of an inch. Unlike mosquitoes, fungus gnats DO NOT BITE but are known to swarm. These small insects become a problem from winter to spring and develop in fungus or moist decaying vegetation.

Quick Mosquito ID Tip:

Smaller than a quarter + it’s biting = Most likely mosquitoes!