Midges Scotland ??

[mistralse]

We would like to go to the west and north of Scotland next May,I have seen midge advice about Avon Skin So Soft can anyone advise which type there are 4 in the book and each one has different applications,spray,lotion etc,any help would be much appreciated.Thaks.

 

[Rioja]

The one we were recommended was Replenishing Dry Oil Body Spray.

Didn't keep the midges away from me but I think I smelt beautiful !

 

[RogerL]

Scottish midges are prevalent from late May until September - you might be lucky if you're earlier.

Smoking helps to repel them but not worth starting!

 

[gavin_5121842]

Best i've tried is the Army issue mosquito repellent. Not on the shelves of your local Boots, but you could try an Army/Navy surplus store.

http://www.silvermans.co.uk/Silver/docs/topframe.htm

 

[spj]

Hi Denis,

We went to Scotland this and last year in May, and next year we are going in June, we used Avon skin so soft in a spray bottle, it isnt a repellant but it does work, I think all the types do.

Also keep the barbecue smoking, that works and if there is no wind you can get burning spiral things from Millets which are quite good.

Whatever you use you will still get a few bites but for payback take some fly paper to hang in the awning and watch them suffer!

spj

 

[MalcolmL]

May is a good month in Scotland. You will almost certainly miss the midge season. Have taken a hillwalking holiday in early May for 30 years and never been bothered.

Malcolm

 

[Oldfogey]

I agree, you should not have a problem in May on the West coast.

I favour Boots Autan repellent, good mosquito netting, and those plug-in electric vapour dispensers.

 

[JeremyClarksson]

Citronella oil/candles in combination with anti-hystamines work very well with mosquitos, I can not vouch for their effectiveness with midges.

We are looking to go to Scotland next year in July/August.

I suffer fairly bad with reactions to mossies (if I have not taken precautions above), can anyone with similar allergy advise if this is likely to be the same with midges.

I have reacted to midges before but do not remember it being as bad.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Clubman1]

We had a 4 week holiday this year in May,driving up the west coast of Scotland as far north as Ullapool and then back down the "middle" before crossing over to Edinburgh and then home via Whitby. We were not bothered with midges once. That said my Chief of Staff used the Avon "smelly" while I used the tried and tested method Laphraiog taken internally for 28 days. Incidentally many, many years ago whilst on a major military exercise around Loch Morar in June!! the only remedy that seemed to work against the hordes of the bxxxy things was fresh wood ash - a "trick" shown to me by a native tracker in the Malayan jungle.

 

[rob_jax]

It's only the female midges that bite, and only when they are ready to breed - they need a blood meal before they can reproduce - so yes, the breeding season now starts sometime in May and can run for two or more months.

They find you by tracking the CO2 in your breath and (I think) the odour of lactose metabolised by your body - masking one or both of these may help - or leading them down a false trail by running a small LPG heater some way away from the caravan (lots of CO2 in the exhaust - and is used in commercial midge traps)

Avoidance may work better:

Midges like dark, damp, still air conditions - and some of the Scottish forests, with boggy undergrowth and stagnant pools of water, and just perfect breeding grounds.

Midges hate bright, dry, windy conditions - and a beach side caravan site, with lots of sunlight and windy days is about as good as you could ask for.

Choose your camp site well - take DEET and the Avon product and anything else you like - and you should be OK

Robert

 

[Tony A.]

Denis,

DON`T GO MATE, STOP ON THE WAY, COME TO THE LAKES ITS BRILLIANT, LOVELY MOUNTAINS AND FELLS, PLENTY OF WALKS, HALF THE DISTANCE TO DRIVE AND NO WHERE NEAR AS MANY MIDGES AS SCOTLAND.

Tony A.

 

[RogerL]

Denis,

DON`T GO MATE, STOP ON THE WAY, COME TO THE LAKES ITS BRILLIANT, LOVELY MOUNTAINS AND FELLS, PLENTY OF WALKS, HALF THE DISTANCE TO DRIVE AND NO WHERE NEAR AS MANY MIDGES AS SCOTLAND.

Tony A.

Too many people and traffic jams in the Lake District!

 

[mistralse]

Many thanks to every one for replies,did Lakes last year stayed on Derwentwater for 2 weeks,loved it but must move on,so much to see,so little time,go go go.

 

[Wendy-Norfolk]

Citronella oil/candles in combination with anti-hystamines work very well with mosquitos, I can not vouch for their effectiveness with midges.

We are looking to go to Scotland next year in July/August.

I suffer fairly bad with reactions to mossies (if I have not taken precautions above), can anyone with similar allergy advise if this is likely to be the same with midges.

I have reacted to midges before but do not remember it being as bad.

Thanks in advance.

I am allergic to mossies, midges are just as bad!!:O(

 

[Tony A.]

Denis, and roger l,

to avoid crowds and traffic in the lakes stay away from Keswick and Derwent water, Ulswater and Windermeer,turn left at Jnc 36 M6 and keep going, try the west coast of the lakes anywhere from Barrow in furness to Silloth,

The western meers and waters :- Enerdale water, Lowes water, Buttermeer and Crummock water are beautiful, there are lots of wonderful walks, and some nice caravan sites including CC site Dockwray Meadow, there are lots of things to see to many to list.

You can`t say we`ve done the lakes by staying on Derwent water, where did you go Reghed, Carlisle, Penrith. That is only a small part, the west side is undiscovered by most come up the M6, and remains a jewel, but if you want to go to midge heaven,SO BE IT. I`ll stay here and enjoy it myself.

sorry if I`ve bored you

Tony A.

 

[RogerL]

Denis, and roger l,

to avoid crowds and traffic in the lakes stay away from Keswick and Derwent water, Ulswater and Windermeer,turn left at Jnc 36 M6 and keep going, try the west coast of the lakes anywhere from Barrow in furness to Silloth,

The western meers and waters :- Enerdale water, Lowes water, Buttermeer and Crummock water are beautiful, there are lots of wonderful walks, and some nice caravan sites including CC site Dockwray Meadow, there are lots of things to see to many to list.

You can`t say we`ve done the lakes by staying on Derwent water, where did you go Reghed, Carlisle, Penrith. That is only a small part, the west side is undiscovered by most come up the M6, and remains a jewel, but if you want to go to midge heaven,SO BE IT. I`ll stay here and enjoy it myself.

sorry if I`ve bored you

Tony A.

Done it, even the less busy parts, it doesn't get close to Scotland.

 

[BigRoy]

The product you need is Avon skin so soft dry oil body spray.

I can vouch for it, it really does work the trouble is that it makes you smell like a girl.

If you can ignore the wolf whistles from passing builders and keep telling yourself that the SAS use it (true) you'll be ok.

 

[Tony A.]

Done it, even the less busy parts, it doesn't get close to Scotland.

roger,

you sound like your difficult to please, enjoy scotland mate, watch out for the wild haggis

 

[coopsbridgecottage.plus.com]

Hi Dennis

We are ging to Scotland in May as well, I have got the Avon skin so soft but have since found out the Avon bath oil is the one to use (saw this on a Scottish web site.)We will also take coils & anything else.

We reckon it will be ok as last time we went they never really bit until the end of May & then only on the West coast.

Maybe we will meet up, it's a small world, anyway have a good trip.

 

[mealsonwheels]

A useful 5-day Midge Forecast, which is updated daily in the season, is available by going to the following website:

www.midgeforecast.co.uk

They also do a midge forecast texting service for 25p.