It's midge season again

[StoneHenge]

So, I spent some of my lunchhour sitting outside taking in the sunshine (only carefully as I got frazzled at my car boot yesterday), and I got back in only to be covered in the nasty little things. I am itching like mad now and keep finding them in my hair and on my skin!

Does insect repellent do anything for these? I know they like bright colours (but I am all in black today - how very boring of me), so I can see why they would go for my hair (fair) and skin (fair), but they are just so annoying.

Any tips for stopping them becoming too attracted to oneself?

[Eeyore]

Citronella :) You can buy citronella candles for lighting outdoors or spray to spray around and the little blighters hate it, they will not come near you.

Our team of outdoor workers drown themselves in the stuff (phew it can get citronella-ey in here) :P But not one of them gets bitten

[StoneHenge]

Excellent. I must get some of that. Thanks Eeyore.

(still an itching like mad stoney girl)

[smoo22]

Round here we are absolutely murdered by them for months - and having trees all around us doesn't help; they also hide in the rhubarb just outside my windows!
They are attrated to noise - any kind, but hammering or banging is near-lethal!

A lot of folk swear by Avon's Skin-so-Soft oil - comes in a spray, but the "scent" isn't everyone's cup of tea. Anything with Deet in it will work but isn't very Eco-friendly and might react with your skin. Jungle Formula Expedition is readiliy available from camping and outdoor shops and is probably about the strongest commercially sold, it comes in different strengths - test one for your own tolerance first!

I've found citronella to be of very little use - maybe if they aren't racing at you thick and fast in little grey clouds doing 50mph, but not up here :( However, ordinary candles are great when it's getting darker because they are attracted to the light and promptly fry, whereas they keep away from citronella candles so continue to exist.

As for indoors, I also spray some fly killer round my lights so they die when they land there and wipe a pile of them off every hour or so (yes, they really ARE that bad!).

For bites, diluted household ammonia is the business - so long as you don't have sensitive skin or use ot on your face (or anywhere else delicate for that matter, it makes your eyes sting like F*** just putting it on your chin, but really works; any alcohol-based product just has a cooling effect, nothing more.

Iif you are willing to pay to do the little bu**ers in once and for all, get a sonic repeller - I think some of the smaller models still cover a half-acre or so, but they start at about £300 - 500, depending on brand etc.

Gees, I seem to have typed screeds here...... but they really are the bane of my life, particularly as I have always come out in serious reactions with all kinds fo beasties, had my legs about twice their size for weeks once - needed antibiotocs and everything :cry: so I haven't the faintest idea why I have come to live in a place like this!! But on the funny side, where else do people stand and talk to each other in the street, slapping themselves on the side of the face every few seconds, and nobody thinks anything much of it ?? :hihi:

Best of luck with your mad midge-killing spree Stoney! :clover: :D
X

[StoneHenge]

Thanks for the replies people! Always appreciated. I think the itching has subsided for now, but I shall take on board some of those suggestions. When we move to the boat, it's going to be even worse over the waters on the canal, so I shall have to get tooled up for the job me thinks!

Cheers everyone :notworthy:

[StoneHenge]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Yi Win @ 4th July 2006 - 8:21 AM) 176949</div>
Hi Smoo,

Scotland in the middle of summer - hmmm.... I wonder why I avoid it if possible????? But I am sure the scenery makes up for the midges :D

(hey you don't wander about with those funny hats with nets attached to them do you? :hihi: :hihi: :hihi: )

sorry couldn't resist that one!

Good luck with the precautions Stoney - wait til you get harvest mites they are even bigger bug*ers!!! If your boats near wheat or hay fields you may end up with them too!!!
[/b]

Compared with my NFh Yi Win, they would be a welcome distraction indeed!

[StoneHenge]

Anyone know any NFh transforming spells? :sorcerer:

[smoo22]

Hi again Stoney

Just got some new anti-bast**d stuff in at work that is apparently excellent - here's their website:
Eureka! (http://www.bitefree.co.uk)
Haven't tried it myself (yet) - but it is a completely NATURAL one, no nasty reactions etc. It has been flying off the shelves, if you'll excuse the pun (bad one I know, groan!) - one couple even drove 50 miles to get it (they have been phoning us for the past 2 weeks to see if it's in!) - dunno why they didn't just ask us to post some :blink:

Cheers!

[StoneHenge]

Ohh, thanks Smoo. I will have to order some in. No midges today yet (think they are all scared of the thunder!)

Stoney