Midge Insect Mesh Window Screen | Midge Screens For Windows | Midge Fly Screen

The Premier Midge Mesh Magnetic Fly Screen

The DIY magnetic window screen is installed onto your window via a “permanently temporary” magnetic strip so that it does not affect your existing window frame and is especially designed to blend into the background, principally being invisible from a distance.

This effective low cost (cheap!) temporary flyscreen allows you to have a high quality of life without the worry of mosquitoes, lizards or other insects in your house. It is easy to remove for cleaning (just spray/clean with water and detergent).

If you have double hung or casement windows and are scratching your head about what is the best DIY fly screen solution to protect your family and house from those irritating, dirty and potentially disease carrying insects – DIY magnetic insect screens are the ideal solution.

Magnetic fly screens can be custom cut to fit windows of all types and sizes, simply and easily.

They are very durable and flexible making them not only easy to clean but also easy to use.

Finger tabs on the bottom corners of each magnetic fly screen enable you to pull the screen away from the window to give you easy access to open and close your window.

The magnetic insect screen flexes easily out of the way providing you unhindered access to open and close your windows, just let the corner tab go and it will simply snap back into place.

The flexible PVC frame of the magnetic insect screen is far less bulky and obtrusive compared with traditional aluminium framed fly screens.

“On older homes where no 2 windows are the same size and sometimes out of square also, magnetic screens are ideal because they are individually measured to fit with millimetre accuracy to ensure that they fit perfectly.”

The overall effect of having slimline frames and the fly screens being easily DIY custom fitted to individual windows results in a very tidy and professional looking finish that often gives a lifting effect on a room. They are the perfect addition to any home.

Contact us today and one of our experienced staff will be in touch to provide you with a no obligation free quote and answer any questions you may have about DIY magnetic flyscreens.

Midge Insect Mesh Window Screen: Everything You Need to Know About Midge Screens for Windows

Standard window screens keep mosquitoes and house flies out of your home, but midges are a different challenge entirely. These tiny biting insects are small enough to pass straight through conventional mesh without slowing down, turning your screened windows into open invitations during midge season. If you have ever sat indoors with every window screened and still found yourself covered in itchy bites by morning, inadequate mesh density is almost certainly the reason.

A midge insect mesh window screen solves this problem by using a much finer weave than standard insect screens. The smaller openings block midges, no-see-ums, sand flies, and other micro-insects that slip through regular mesh with ease. Midge screens for windows look and function much like conventional flyscreens from a distance, but the difference in protection is enormous. This guide explains how midge fly screens work, what makes them effective, and how to choose and install the right midge screen for every window in your home.

Understanding the Midge Problem

Before exploring the solution, it helps to understand exactly what you are dealing with. Midges are not just smaller versions of common flies. They behave differently, breed differently, and require different strategies to keep them out of your living space.

What Are Midges?

Midges are a broad group of tiny flying insects belonging to several families, with biting midges from the Ceratopogonidae family being the ones that cause the most grief for homeowners. Depending on where you live, they may be called no-see-ums, sand flies, punkies, or biting gnats. Adult biting midges measure between one and three millimetres in body length, making them significantly smaller than mosquitoes and house flies. Their diminutive size is precisely what makes them so difficult to exclude from homes using standard screening methods.

Midges are most active during dawn and dusk, though some species remain active throughout the night. They are strongly attracted to light, carbon dioxide, and body heat, which means they are drawn to occupied rooms with lights on and windows open. In areas with high midge populations, a single evening with unprotected windows can result in hundreds of these insects entering your home and delivering bites that itch intensely and can take days to heal.

Why Standard Mesh Fails Against Midges

The most common residential window screen mesh uses a weave density of 18 by 16 strands per inch, which creates openings approximately 1.2 millimetres wide. This is more than sufficient to block mosquitoes, which have a body width of roughly 2.5 millimetres, and house flies, which are larger still. But a midge with a body width of less than one millimetre passes through these openings without even making contact with the mesh strands. From the midge’s perspective, standard insect screen might as well not be there at all.

This mismatch between standard mesh density and midge body size is the root of the problem. No amount of careful installation, frame sealing, or overlap will make a standard screen effective against midges if the mesh openings themselves are larger than the insects you are trying to block. The only solution is a finer mesh with smaller openings, which is exactly what a midge insect mesh window screen provides.

How Midge Fly Screens Work

A midge fly screen uses a higher strand count per inch than standard insect mesh, creating significantly smaller openings that physically block midges and other micro-insects from passing through. The principle is the same as any window screen, but the mesh specifications are calibrated specifically for the smallest biting insects rather than the larger, more common ones.

Mesh Density and Aperture Size

Where standard insect mesh uses an 18 by 16 weave, midge screens for windows typically use a weave density of 50 by 50 strands per inch or higher. This dramatically reduces the aperture size from approximately 1.2 millimetres down to 0.5 millimetres or less. At this density, even the smallest biting midges cannot fit through the openings, and the mesh forms a complete physical barrier against virtually every species of flying insect that might target your home.

Some ultra-fine midge mesh products use even higher strand counts, reaching 60 by 60 or more strands per inch. These provide the absolute maximum level of insect exclusion but come with a more noticeable reduction in airflow and visibility compared to the standard 50 by 50 midge mesh. For most residential applications, a 50 by 50 weave provides an excellent balance between insect protection and practical usability.

Materials Used in Midge Mesh

Midge insect mesh is manufactured from the same base materials used in standard window screens, but the finer weave demands higher quality raw materials and more precise manufacturing processes. Fiberglass midge mesh is the most common type, offering good flexibility, corrosion resistance, and ease of handling during installation. The glass filaments are coated in PVC or vinyl to protect them from UV degradation and to provide a smooth surface that resists snagging.

Polyester midge mesh offers greater tear resistance than fiberglass and is a popular choice for screens that may be subject to physical contact. Aluminium midge mesh provides the greatest rigidity and is naturally fire-resistant, making it suitable for areas where bushfire or wildfire precaution is important. Stainless steel midge mesh exists at the premium end and offers the ultimate combination of strength, longevity, and corrosion resistance, though its stiffness and weight make it better suited to fixed installations than removable or retractable screens.

The Trade-Offs of Using Finer Mesh

Midge screens for windows provide superior insect exclusion, but the finer weave introduces certain trade-offs that are important to understand before making your decision. Being aware of these compromises helps you set realistic expectations and make informed choices about where to install midge mesh and where standard mesh may be sufficient.

Reduced Airflow

The most significant trade-off with midge fly screens is a reduction in airflow compared to standard mesh. Finer strands packed more tightly together create greater resistance to air passing through the screen. The exact reduction depends on the mesh density and strand thickness, but as a general guide, a 50 by 50 midge mesh allows approximately 60 to 70 percent of the airflow that a standard 18 by 16 mesh permits. In practical terms, this means you will notice a mild reduction in the breeze coming through a window fitted with midge mesh. The air still flows, but the cooling effect is somewhat diminished compared to a standard screen.

For most rooms, this reduction is perfectly acceptable, particularly when weighed against the alternative of being bitten by midges all evening. In rooms where maximum ventilation is critical, such as kitchens during cooking, you may choose to use standard mesh and accept the midge risk, or compensate with additional ventilation such as a ceiling fan or a second open window on the opposite side of the room to maintain cross-ventilation.

Reduced Visibility

Finer mesh is slightly more visible than standard mesh when you look through it, creating a very mild haze or softening effect on the view beyond the window. The difference is subtle and many people do not notice it at all, particularly with dark-coloured midge mesh that minimises glare. However, if you have windows with particularly scenic views that you want to preserve with maximum clarity, you may prefer to reserve midge mesh for the windows that need it most and use standard mesh on windows where the view takes priority and midge pressure is lower.

Faster Dust and Pollen Accumulation

The tighter weave of midge mesh traps airborne particles more effectively than standard mesh, which means dust, pollen, and fine debris accumulate on the screen surface more quickly. This buildup gradually reduces airflow further if the screen is not cleaned regularly. The good news is that this accumulation is easy to address with a simple wash every few weeks during heavy-use months. The denser weave actually makes cleaning easier in some respects because the tighter mesh holds its shape better under the gentle pressure of a brush or cloth than the more flexible weave of standard mesh.

Choosing the Right Midge Screen for Your Windows

Several factors influence which type of midge insect mesh window screen will work best for your home. Taking these into account before purchasing ensures you get a screen that performs well in your specific situation.

Matching Mesh Density to Local Insect Species

The mesh density you need depends on the smallest insect you want to block. If your primary concern is biting midges and no-see-ums, a 50 by 50 mesh provides reliable protection against all but the very smallest species. If you are dealing with particularly tiny insects such as thrips or certain species of biting gnat that are smaller than standard midges, you may need to step up to a 60 by 60 or finer mesh. Consult local pest control resources or entomology guides to identify the specific species causing problems in your area and confirm the body dimensions you need to exclude.

Considering Window Orientation and Exposure

Not every window in your home needs midge mesh. Midges are drawn to light and tend to concentrate on the side of a building facing the prevailing wind during their peak activity periods. Windows on the sheltered, leeward side of your home may experience significantly less midge pressure and could be adequately served by standard mesh. Similarly, upper-story windows may see fewer midges than ground-floor openings, particularly if breeding habitat such as standing water, marshy ground, or dense vegetation is located at ground level near the building.

Installing midge screens for windows on the most affected openings while using standard mesh elsewhere is a practical, targeted approach that optimises airflow and visibility across your home while ensuring protection where it matters most.

Frame and Mounting Options

Midge fly screens are available in all the standard frame and mounting configurations used for conventional window screens. Fixed frame screens with midge mesh provide the most permanent and secure installation. Magnetic midge screens offer easy removal and reattachment for seasonal use. Velcro-attached midge mesh panels provide maximum flexibility for non-standard window shapes. Retractable midge screens roll up into a housing when not needed and deploy when the window is open. The choice between these options depends on the same factors as any window screen purchase, including window type, permanence requirements, and personal preference for installation method.

Roller Midge Screens for Frequent Access

For windows that you open and close frequently throughout the day, roller or retractable midge screens offer the most convenient operation. The screen rolls up into a compact housing at the top or side of the window when not in use and pulls down or across to cover the opening when the window is open. This eliminates the need to remove and reattach the screen every time you want to close the window or access the opening. Roller midge screens are particularly practical for bedroom windows that may be opened at night when midges are most active and closed during the day when insect pressure is lower.

Installing Midge Insect Mesh Window Screens

The installation process for midge screens is essentially the same as for standard window screens, with a few additional considerations related to the finer mesh material.

Working With Fine Mesh

Midge mesh is more delicate than standard insect mesh during handling and installation. The finer strands are more susceptible to snagging, creasing, and distortion if handled roughly. When cutting midge mesh to size, use sharp scissors or a rotary cutter to produce clean edges without fraying. Avoid pulling or stretching the mesh excessively during installation, as fine mesh can deform more easily than coarser material. When pressing midge mesh into a spline channel, use a spline roller with gentle, consistent pressure rather than forcing the mesh aggressively, which can distort the weave and create uneven areas that compromise both appearance and function.

Ensuring a Complete Seal

Because the entire purpose of midge mesh is to block insects that are small enough to exploit the tiniest gaps, achieving a complete perimeter seal is even more important than with standard screens. Inspect the installed screen carefully for any gaps between the mesh and the frame, particularly at corners where the spline changes direction. Even a gap of one to two millimetres is large enough for midges to enter, which would defeat the purpose of the finer mesh. Use additional spline pressure, corner plugs, or a thin bead of silicone sealant at any points where a gap is visible to ensure the seal is continuous and complete.

Choosing the Correct Spline Size

The finer strands and denser weave of midge mesh affect the spline size needed for frame-mounted installations. Midge mesh is thinner overall than standard mesh, which means it takes up less space in the spline channel. Using the same spline diameter you would use for standard mesh may result in a loose fit that allows the mesh to pull free under wind pressure. Stepping down to a slightly smaller spline diameter compensates for the thinner mesh and ensures a tight, secure fit. If you are unsure of the correct spline size, take a sample of the midge mesh and the frame to your supplier and test different diameters to find the one that holds the mesh firmly without distorting it.

Professional Installation vs. DIY

Most homeowners can install midge fly screens themselves with basic tools and a little patience. The process is no more complex than installing any other type of window screen, and the only additional skill required is a slightly gentler touch when handling the finer mesh. However, if you have a large number of windows to screen, non-standard window shapes that require custom frames, or limited experience working with screen materials, professional installation ensures every screen is fitted correctly with a complete seal and proper mesh tension. A professionally installed midge insect mesh window screen provides maximum protection and a clean, finished appearance that can be difficult to achieve on a first DIY attempt.

Maintaining Midge Screens for Windows

Regular maintenance keeps your midge screens performing at their best and extends the usable life of the finer mesh material, which requires a little more care than standard screening.

Cleaning Schedule and Method

Clean your midge fly screens at least once a month during periods of heavy use, and more frequently if you live in an area with high pollen counts or dusty conditions. Remove the screen from the window if possible and wash it gently with warm water and a mild soap using a soft brush or microfiber cloth. Work the brush across the mesh in the direction of the weave rather than against it to avoid catching and pulling individual strands. Rinse thoroughly and allow the screen to dry completely before reinstalling. Never use a pressure washer or high-force water spray on midge mesh, as the fine strands can be damaged or dislodged by concentrated water pressure.

Inspecting for Damage

The finer strands of midge mesh are more vulnerable to damage from physical contact than the thicker filaments of standard mesh. Inspect your screens regularly for small holes, tears, or areas where the weave has been pulled apart. Pay particular attention to the lower corners where the mesh meets the frame, as this area is most likely to receive accidental contact from hands, elbows, and objects passing near the window. Small holes in midge mesh can be repaired with adhesive screen repair patches designed for fine mesh, but the patch must be of equal or finer density than the midge mesh itself. Patching midge mesh with a standard density patch creates a weak point in your insect defence that midges will find and exploit.

Seasonal Storage for Removable Screens

If you remove your midge screens during months when midges are not active, store them carefully to protect the fine mesh from damage. Roll each screen loosely rather than folding, as creases in fine mesh are more persistent and harder to flatten than in standard mesh. Store rolls in a dry, protected location where they will not be crushed, stacked under heavy objects, or exposed to temperatures that could weaken the mesh or its frame. When reinstalling for the next midge season, inspect each screen for storage-related damage before mounting it on the window.

Complementary Strategies for Midge Control

While midge screens for windows provide the frontline defence against midges entering your home, combining them with other control measures creates a more comprehensive approach that reduces midge pressure from multiple directions.

Reducing Breeding Habitat Around Your Property

Midges breed in moist environments including standing water, wet soil, compost, leaf litter, and waterlogged plant pots. Eliminating or reducing these breeding sites around your home decreases the local midge population and lessens the pressure on your screens. Empty standing water from containers, saucers, and blocked gutters. Keep compost bins covered and positioned away from windows. Ensure garden drainage prevents waterlogged areas from forming near the house. Reducing breeding habitat does not eliminate midges entirely, as they can travel from neighbouring properties and wild areas, but it meaningfully lowers the number of midges attempting to enter your home.

Managing Indoor Lighting During Peak Midge Hours

Midges are strongly attracted to artificial light, and a brightly lit room with an open screened window draws midges to the mesh surface in large numbers. While a properly installed midge fly screen prevents them from entering, a dense concentration of midges on the screen surface can reduce airflow and create an unpleasant visual effect. Reducing light intensity near screened windows during peak midge activity hours, typically the two hours around dusk and dawn, decreases the number of midges attracted to your windows. Using warm-toned, lower-intensity lighting or positioning light sources away from windows during these periods makes a noticeable difference in the midge concentration on your screens.

Using Fans to Supplement Screen Protection

Midges are weak fliers that struggle to navigate even mild air currents. A simple desk fan or ceiling fan positioned to create airflow across a screened window opening makes it significantly harder for midges to land on the screen surface and probe for gaps. The moving air also improves ventilation through the finer midge mesh, helping to compensate for the reduced passive airflow of the denser weave. This combination of physical screening and air movement creates a layered defence that is extremely effective at keeping midges out of your living spaces.

Investing in Midge-Free Comfort

Living in a midge-prone area does not mean resigning yourself to a summer of closed windows and stuffy rooms. A midge insect mesh window screen gives you back the freedom to open your windows during the warmest months and enjoy fresh air without the constant irritation of tiny biting insects invading your home. The finer mesh requires a small compromise in airflow and visibility, but for anyone who has spent a night scratching at midge bites, that trade-off is barely worth a second thought.

Choosing the right mesh density, installing with a complete perimeter seal, and maintaining the screens with regular cleaning ensures your midge screens for windows deliver season after season of reliable protection. Combined with habitat management and smart lighting practices, a well-installed midge fly screen transforms your home from a place where you dread opening the windows into one where fresh evening air is something you look forward to rather than something you avoid. That transformation in comfort and quality of life is exactly what makes midge screening one of the most worthwhile investments any homeowner in a midge-affected area can make.