Larvae are found in small and large natural lakes, sewage oxidation and settling ponds, residential lakes and ponds, and slow moving shallow rivers. During emergence periods, it is not unusal for several thousand adults per square yard of surface to ermerge on a nightly basis. Needless to say, midges emerging from these bodies of water may cause severe nuisance and other economic problems. Reduction of aquatic midge populations can often be accomplished if the physical and chemical environmental factors that are responsible for development of nuisance populations are altered. Since dense larval populations usually occur in nutrient rich habitats, manipulating the nutrients that are introduced into aquatic systems by reducing run off from agricultural operations and urban environments may help to discourage the proliferation midges.
Winter draw down.
Exposure of bottom muds by draining lakes and reservoir during winter months will kill over wintering midge larvae, reducing the size of the adult population emerging in spring. Understandably, this method may not be practical for all bodies of water. Diversion of adults. Many lakes and reservoirs that produce nuisance populations of midges have homes and businesses constructed along the shore lines. After emergence, midge adults are attracted to shoreline lights.