Just when you though spring would be all sunshine and rainbows… the month of May in Toronto doesn’t just mark the return of warmer temperatures, longer days, and patio openings, but also the swarms of tiny flying bugs.
Midges, described as “small, delicate flies,” that “resemble mosquitoes but do not bite,” are part of the Chironomidae family of insects.
And while they’re harmless, these tiny pests “often dance in the air in large swarms over water or lawns,” and plague summer-loving Torontonians who are eager to open their windows and get back to nature after long harsh winters.
While residents should be used to the annual influx of tiny pests by now (not to mention the predatory aphids that are sure to follow), some on Twitter are already venting their frustration with the swarms of inescapable bugs that stick to sweaty skin or are inadvertently inhaled and eaten.
Depending on where you live, you might call midges: muffleheads, muckleheads, blind mosquitoes, or lake flies (if you know of other common names, let me know!) 3/5
— Laura Timms (@lltimms) May 3, 2018
Look, taking pics of bugs is the only thing standing between me and completely losing my shit bc the world is a dystopian hellhole ok
— neville park (@neville_park) September 30, 2017
How many midges must a man inhale, before you call him a man?#torontomidges2018
— Toronto Mike (@torontomike) April 30, 2018
Protip: If biking by the lake, and chewing gum, do not blow bubbles.#torontomidges2018
— Toronto Mike (@torontomike) May 2, 2018
“Would you like some tea, love?”
“No thanks, I filled up on midges on the way home.”— Jon (@samuriinbred) May 3, 2018
Those two days when the leaves are pretty, winter, midges, & construction aka the four seasons in Toronto pic.twitter.com/pU8cTmKAh5
— KellyeMacMillanWills (@KellyeMacMillan) May 4, 2018
That black cloud over the house?
Ya, those are midges.
Food for birds, frogs, and fish.
And they remind me of teenagers at the mall all swapping spit and getting it on. #longbranchlife#Toronto pic.twitter.com/DvoED56VlX
— Stuart Bailey (@undentity) May 3, 2018
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