Residents of Aktobe are once again facing an annual invasion of midges: the insects fly in swarms, forcing townspeople to cover their faces and eyes, reports infohub.kz.

According to city residents, huge clouds of midges on the streets of Aktobe literally surround people and try to get into their eyes, nose, ears and mouth. Townspeople have to protect themselves with masks and glasses. Some try to leave home less often, and an ordinary trip to the nearest store turns into a real ordeal. It is especially hard for those who go outside without protection. The insects are attracted to bright and white clothing, among other things.

"Yes, yes, especially in places with lots of trees. But I don't know why they have spread. It's very unpleasant. They fly into your eyes, nose, mouth," says Ilyas Yesmurat.

What is especially surprising is that this story is far from new for Aktobe. The midges appear almost on schedule — every year in September. But even specialists cannot fully explain where they come from in such numbers. At the same time, special crews go out every year to fight the insects. Areas are treated and preparations are sprayed. However, the midges seem completely unafraid of these procedures.

"Since yesterday, the city has been treating areas against midges. The contractor is carrying out the work in stages. They use special certified insect control products. Their increase is probably linked to the sharp warming," explained Zhadiger Baltabay, chief specialist of the housing and utilities department of the akimat of the Almaty district of Aktobe.

In previous years, specialists linked the invasion to high humidity, saying that after heavy rains and a sharp warming, ideal conditions are created for insect reproduction. But this autumn does not quite fit that version. There was little rain at the end of summer, yet the midges still appeared. The akimat says treatment is being carried out and everything possible is being done. For now, residents are being asked to be patient. After all, there is one method that works for sure: wait for cold weather. With its arrival, the midges will disappear on their own. It is possible that this will last until next September.

Source: KTK. Earlier we reported that swarms of flies and mosquitoes frightened residents of flooded Kobda.