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Are there mosquitoes and midges in Norway?

Mosquitoes, biting midges and black flies, and how to protect yourself.

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Short answer

Mosquitoes and biting midges are common in Norway in summer, but in Norway their bites are harmless, although they itch and can swell. Mosquito larvae develop in still water, midges are most common in damp places, and some species live on mountain plateaus and in Northern Norway. Repellents with DEET, icaridin or IR3535 help.

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Why

  1. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) has recorded 38 species of mosquito in Norway and says mosquito bites in Norway are harmless, although they can itch and swell.
  2. FHI says the Norwegian species of biting midges do not transmit diseases to humans, and that they mostly bite at dusk or at night.
  3. FHI recommends repellents containing DEET, icaridin or IR3535, clothing that mosquitoes cannot bite through and fine-mesh nets over the head and in open windows.

Details

Biting midges are only 1–3 mm long and get through mosquito netting with a standard mesh. They are most active just before and after sunrise and sunset, and they are passive when the wind is stronger than 2.5 metres per second. Black flies, called knott in Norwegian, are another group: 51 species have been found in Norway, their larvae live in running water, and only the females suck blood.

Tip

On summer trips, take a break in open, windy spots and bring a head net: biting midges are less of a nuisance on windy days, and fine mesh over the head works well against mosquitoes.

What may differ

Mosquito species differ by area: some are numerous along the large rivers of south-eastern Norway, while others live on mountain plateaus in southern Norway and on bogs and in open birch forest in Northern Norway.

People also ask

  • Are there many mosquitoes in Norway in summer?
  • Are there midges in the Norwegian fjords?

Sources

Information checked on 15 October 2026.

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