Controlling Midge Flies In Wastewater Treatment Systems

Every spring, wastewater lagoon operators face a relentless challenge: swarms of non-biting midges and moth flies that clog equipment and trigger community complaints. While chemical sprays offer a quick fix for adult swarms, they fail to address the root cause—the larvae thriving in nutrient-rich bottom sludge. These larvae, or "bloodworms," exploit the organic matter and low-oxygen environments inherent to facultative lagoons and trickling filters.

A more sustainable strategy involves microbial larvicides that target pests during their development. By introducing selective delta-endotoxins that disrupt larval digestion, facilities can suppress populations before they emerge as flying nuisances. To prevent secondary organic loading from decaying larvae, pairing these treatments with proteolytic enzymes accelerates biomass breakdown and reduces the sediment habitat over time. Shift from reactive symptom management to proactive habitat suppression by exploring the full biological approach to larval control.