Hmmmmm, the problem is that midgies are a very very very friendly creature and they love coming to have a wee word with foreign people. Unfortunately some poor people are allergic to them and come out in big red lumps, not an attractive look :roll: :roll: :roll:

Really there is nothing much you can do. Just come to sunny scotland and ignore them best you can, thats what we do with those funny people in England who wear frilly shirts, shorts and ring bells and dance about!
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Alternatively cover oneself in every chemical deterrant known to man!!!

 

"How do you guys cope "

It's not difficult. Head south ....

 

avon do a dry oil spray for a moisturiser which has confused the bu@@ers for a while now. it costs about a fiver and the camping shop we use sells it cause its so good, just spray it on. Friends of mine recommended south in summer and north in winter to avoid them

 

What do they feed on when the tourists aren't there or are covered in repellent ?

Avoid the Fiamma door fly screen ( ie the one that is split into 2 sections, hangs from the top of the door and is weighted at the bottom. It is fine for keeping "casual" insects out but no good for the serious ones- and these Scottish jobbies seem just that. You spend all your time rearranging it so that they can't get round the sides or through the split centre.

I would consider making my own from a voluminous length of net curtain which covers the door in one piece and tucks into the sides. If you have not got built in mosquito screens for your windows and rooflights then they are easy to make with the stiffish tent netting ( camping accessory shops) and velcro ( Stick and Sew)

If it were me I'd also consider buying a double bed sized mosquito net and hanging it in my awning so I was protected when I sat outside.

G

See:

HERE

 

When we were in Northumberland last year we were plagued with midges and one of our party was suffering badly with bites from the little bu****s. One local chemist recommended eating marmite as this contains high levels of vitamin B which apparently the midges don't like (as the advert says - you either love it or hate it) and won't bite you. If you don't like it ,I suppose you could always spread it on your skin.

 

I was going to give the old Marmite advice. However, I understand that you need to start eating it a few weeks before you travel to get it into your system. I don't know how scientific that is! Vit B tablets are meant to be good for those who don't love Marmite.

A guy who takes survival courses advised spraying yourself with urine. He might have been taking the P though!

The pesky critters are not out all the time. Avoid that early evening fly time at all costs.

Lesley

 

ignore them best you can, thats what we do with those funny people in England who wear frilly shirts, shorts and ring bells and dance about!

Exactly the ones the flying teeth ought to get stuck into :lol:

Early morning and evening seemed to have an abundance of midges when we were at Loch Lomond last year, however, for the two weeks we spent touring Scotland it was rare that we got pestered by them. Whether this was luck or the use of Avon Skin So Soft Dry Oil spray we had used I can not say. We had a great time and look forward to our next trip.

 

In all seriousness, there is an abundance of sprays, lotions, potions, candles including avon skin so soft oil etc etc on the market. Advice ranges from drinking whisky, eating lots of garlic or marmite etc etc. Unfortunately it takes a lot of trial and error to come up with one which works.
Here have a lookie at this

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usfeatures/midges/

 

Silly person that I am emigrated here from Engerland lots and lots of years ago. I am alergic to bitey things so use "Mosquito Milk" - awfully expensive, but it works for me and I also take clarytin (?spelling). Get it through the doctor as it only comes in boxes of 7 from Boots etc.

Still wouldn't go back doon south though.

Forget mosquito nets - the fearless midge just walks through the small holes 8O

If you smoke you should be alright as they don't like smoke - otherwise pray for a strong wind - they don't fly when it's windy!

Enjoy your holiday!

Sue

 

Whilst I love Marmite, especially on toast, I am allergic to garlic.
Midges occur in many places (or critters very like them). In Greece the name for them translates as "flying teeth" and are distinct from mosquitos.
There, in Greece, it is common to say one should eat garlic or drink plenty of Raki, to combat the wee devils: though I suspect the Raki just prevents one from feeling the irritation caused. :wink:

 

As the flying teeth don't like wind, why not place a fan strategically?
TonyP

 

Not sure if this works -- never tried it--- but a tip from USA says that Listerene sprayed about the door frames works ??? please don't blame if it doesn't.
Lynne

 

Midge protection

We take an ultra violet bug killer with us,
switch off the lights and you hear crack - crack - crack
as they hit the wires. You see them in some caravan
accessory shops.

In the morning, blow out the millions of midges you have
killed. A fan would also discourage them.

The avon skin so soft Woodland Fresh does work, it seems
to drown the wee beggers.

No need to avoid Scotland.