Chironomidae (Non Biting Midges)

[knight7453]

   I have had a pond for 12 years and never encountered this problem.
   I came home from work and as usual the first thing I do is visit my pond and I was shocked to find I have been invaded. There were hundreds of Mosquitoes looking flys which after researching last night and     this morning identified as Chironomidae (Non Biting Midges). 
   I have never had an infestation before although we have been experiencing an unusual amount of rain this spring on long Island.
   In the past I have found the larvae; known as blood worms in my pond but my fish have usually eliminated the problem.
  My questions are:
  Why have they all of a sudden become a problem?  
  I make sure I don’t have any standing water anywhere on my property to avoid Mosquitoes and any possibility of West Nile disease. I don’t even have any bird baths anymore and the pond is treated with a fish safe larvicide.
  Can they be coming from another property and looking for a new home?
  I have a lake a few miles north and a duck pond about 2 miles east from my home.
  What should I do?
  Just the thought of using chemicals makes me cringe. 
  Finally, should I take up trout fishing since trout love blood worms?  
   
Thank you for your help
Knight7453

[Julles]

Are they harmful?  I Googled, and there didn't seem to be anything wrong about having them - they're a natural part of a watery habitat. 

If they're not causing any harm, could you live with them?

[knight7453]

I live in a suburb of Long Island and my yard is only 30'x35' and the pond is only 6’x5’ and although they don't bite you can't go near the pond just by the volume of bugs flying around. You inhale them; they get in your eyes and are just a discomfort.
I have always has a small amount of Midges in my pond and never had a concern because the fish seem to love the larvae, known as blood worms.
I am just wondering if they are transients looking for a new home or a case of population gone wild.

[frloplady]

I'd guess the wet damp weather could have something to do with it. 

[Julles]

Interesting, because when I Googled, one of the things I found was a photo of a SWARM of them - looked almost like a tornado funnel cloud!

Hopefully they're swarming and will soon move on.

[knight7453]

I am praying that it’s a combo of a swarm and more rain then usual and that’s exactly what it looked like Julles, a tornado over my pond.
 

[Ky Kim]

We have them too, they just bug ya more than anything.  Like ya said always in your face, nose and mouth.  Wish they would just disappear, but I know its just part of ponding life.

[Joyce]

Probably seasonal 'mating' time.
Should not last long.

[PondmaninAL]

You've just had a little taste of what it's like in Florida during the Lovebug seasons.

[knight7453]

I am hoping the invasion is a spring wakeup after winter as Joyce said. I spent 2 days reading everything I could find online about midges and my fish do enjoy the free blood worms. Tonight’s invasion was still above normal but less then yesterdayand hopefully will be back to a normal level soon.
If not then 
Thanks for the input.

[knight7453]

Probably seasonal 'mating' time.
Should not last long.

I think you were right. the lil buggers are back to a normal manageable level tonight.
I guess in years pass I always missed seeing the storm of thousands of midges rising from my pond.
I wonder what my neighbors will think if they witness the event. 
Thanks for the help.