The dreaded midge

"Steve Tipper" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi NG

real simple question I hope !!

What time of yesr do I avoid camping in scotland (around Geln Coe and fort
william) with the problem of midges in mind ?

Both me and the wife have a problem with bad reactions to midge bites and
dont want to spoil a good holiday covered in every cream you can buy at
boots the chemist...

I am off to Skye in a couple of weeks - am I likely to suffer the same
ther
(I presume so)

Thanks in advance

Steve

The fierce Highland midge begins its attack half way through June (the males
of the species hatch from May onwards, but the only harmful thing they do is
mate with female midges, helping produce next years midge supply!) The
season lasts on average 3 months, terrorising innocent people into early
August.

Half way through September the virtually all the biting midges are gone, and
the problem ends. A wet summer can allow a few stragglers to continue
harassing people right up to the end of September, but the frequency of the
attacks are less severe. Some Garden midges in sheltered and coastal
locations extend this period until October, but it is usually safe to assume
that you can be safe between September and June.

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Peewiglet said:

Hmmm.... if you want to err on the side of caution then I think you
probably need to avoid May to September inclusive 🙁 People say the
midgies have gone by September, but when I did the WHW in mid
September 2 years ago I was attacked and went home with what looked
like some revoltingly scrofulous disease all over my legs. I'm going
to Scotland for two weeks in the middle of May and hoping to avoid the
midgies, but I'm not confident that they'll not be out and so I'm
going heavily armed with anti-midge spray.

IME physical barriers work best, and don't involve covering oneself with
chemicals. Tracksters and a long sleeve top won't be too hot most of
the time and will keep them off legs and arms. A midge hood is /well/
worth the money and packs into a pocket very easily. I use a Saunders
one that's built into a hat, and being a slaphead I wear a hat anyway.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Steve Tipper said:

Both me and the wife have a problem with bad reactions to midge bites and
dont want to spoil a good holiday covered in every cream you can buy at
boots the chemist...

As an aside I was told that 3M NATO DEET insect repellent, also
marketed as Ultrathon is good.
<URL:http://www.3m.com/us/home_leisure/scianglers/Ultrathon.jhtml> A
quick group search reveals that no-one's posted about it here before.

Has anyone got any experience of it ?

I guess that DEET is DEET so it may be that 3Ms slow release formula
is the thing that sets it apart.

Daytona

Peter Clinch said:

Peewiglet said:

Hmmm.... if you want to err on the side of caution then I think you
probably need to avoid May to September inclusive 🙁 People say the
midgies have gone by September, but when I did the WHW in mid
September 2 years ago I was attacked and went home with what looked
like some revoltingly scrofulous disease all over my legs. I'm going
to Scotland for two weeks in the middle of May and hoping to avoid the
midgies, but I'm not confident that they'll not be out and so I'm
going heavily armed with anti-midge spray.

IME physical barriers work best, and don't involve covering oneself with
chemicals. Tracksters and a long sleeve top won't be too hot most of
the time and will keep them off legs and arms. A midge hood is /well/
worth the money and packs into a pocket very easily. I use a Saunders
one that's built into a hat, and being a slaphead I wear a hat anyway.

It seems such a pity, though, to have to dress in long trousers and
tops in sunny conditions. I suppose that's why I've spent hardly any
time in Scotland since I was 18... I'm about to try out the fabled
Avon Skin So Soft - fingers crossed - as I can't stand Deet...

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

Peewiglet said:

Peter Clinch said:

Peewiglet said:

Hmmm.... if you want to err on the side of caution then I think you
probably need to avoid May to September inclusive 🙁 People say the
midgies have gone by September, but when I did the WHW in mid
September 2 years ago I was attacked and went home with what looked
like some revoltingly scrofulous disease all over my legs. I'm going
to Scotland for two weeks in the middle of May and hoping to avoid the
midgies, but I'm not confident that they'll not be out and so I'm
going heavily armed with anti-midge spray.

IME physical barriers work best, and don't involve covering oneself with
chemicals. Tracksters and a long sleeve top won't be too hot most of
the time and will keep them off legs and arms. A midge hood is /well/
worth the money and packs into a pocket very easily. I use a Saunders
one that's built into a hat, and being a slaphead I wear a hat anyway.

It seems such a pity, though, to have to dress in long trousers and
tops in sunny conditions. I suppose that's why I've spent hardly any
time in Scotland since I was 18... I'm about to try out the fabled
Avon Skin So Soft - fingers crossed - as I can't stand Deet...

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The midge problem is vastly
exaggerated. I'm convinced that this is either a conspiracy to maintain
a quiet haven north of the border and avoid the Scottish Highlands
turning into another Lake District, or it's some sort of macho posturing
by "hardy" Scottish types.

When the midges *are* out, I'm very susceptible to being bitten. However
a decent repellant (Deet) or a barrier (like Avon S-S-S) solves that.
Unlike PW, I've been walking and camping (and indeed living) in Scotland
from the time I was born (that's a lot more than 18 years)and I'll be
doing the same again this summer. Those who let themselves be put off by
these scare stories are letting themselves be hoodwinked out of one of
the very best experiences life has to offer.

druidh

druidh said:

Peewiglet said:

Peter Clinch said:

Peewiglet wrote:

> Hmmm.... if you want to err on the side of caution then I think you
> probably need to avoid May to September inclusive 🙁 People say the
> midgies have gone by September, but when I did the WHW in mid
> September 2 years ago I was attacked and went home with what looked
> like some revoltingly scrofulous disease all over my legs. I'm going
> to Scotland for two weeks in the middle of May and hoping to avoid the
> midgies, but I'm not confident that they'll not be out and so I'm
> going heavily armed with anti-midge spray.

IME physical barriers work best, and don't involve covering oneself
with chemicals. Tracksters and a long sleeve top won't be too hot
most of the time and will keep them off legs and arms. A midge hood
is /well/ worth the money and packs into a pocket very easily. I use
a Saunders one that's built into a hat, and being a slaphead I wear a
hat anyway.

It seems such a pity, though, to have to dress in long trousers and
tops in sunny conditions. I suppose that's why I've spent hardly any
time in Scotland since I was 18... I'm about to try out the fabled
Avon Skin So Soft - fingers crossed - as I can't stand Deet...

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The midge problem is vastly
exaggerated. I'm convinced that this is either a conspiracy to maintain
a quiet haven north of the border and avoid the Scottish Highlands
turning into another Lake District, or it's some sort of macho posturing
by "hardy" Scottish types.

When the midges *are* out, I'm very susceptible to being bitten. However
a decent repellant (Deet) or a barrier (like Avon S-S-S) solves that.
Unlike PW, I've been walking and camping (and indeed living) in Scotland
from the time I was born (that's a lot more than 18 years)and I'll be
doing the same again this summer. Those who let themselves be put off by
these scare stories are letting themselves be hoodwinked out of one of
the very best experiences life has to offer.

druidh

Apologies for butting in on a topic about which I know very little.

A cynic might suggest that you are only encouraging decoys to venture
north in order to lessen the chance of you being bitten. ;-)

PJ

PJ said:

druidh said:

Peewiglet said:

On Fri, 29 Apr 2005 16:12:05 +0100, Peter Clinch
<[email hidden]> wrote:

> Peewiglet wrote:
>
>
>> Hmmm.... if you want to err on the side of caution then I think you
>> probably need to avoid May to September inclusive 🙁 People say the
>> midgies have gone by September, but when I did the WHW in mid
>> September 2 years ago I was attacked and went home with what looked
>> like some revoltingly scrofulous disease all over my legs. I'm going
>> to Scotland for two weeks in the middle of May and hoping to avoid the
>> midgies, but I'm not confident that they'll not be out and so I'm
>> going heavily armed with anti-midge spray.
>
>
>
> IME physical barriers work best, and don't involve covering oneself
> with chemicals. Tracksters and a long sleeve top won't be too hot
> most of the time and will keep them off legs and arms. A midge hood
> is /well/ worth the money and packs into a pocket very easily. I
> use a Saunders one that's built into a hat, and being a slaphead I
> wear a hat anyway.

It seems such a pity, though, to have to dress in long trousers and
tops in sunny conditions. I suppose that's why I've spent hardly any
time in Scotland since I was 18... I'm about to try out the fabled
Avon Skin So Soft - fingers crossed - as I can't stand Deet...

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The midge problem is vastly
exaggerated. I'm convinced that this is either a conspiracy to
maintain a quiet haven north of the border and avoid the Scottish
Highlands turning into another Lake District, or it's some sort of
macho posturing by "hardy" Scottish types.

When the midges *are* out, I'm very susceptible to being bitten.
However a decent repellant (Deet) or a barrier (like Avon S-S-S)
solves that. Unlike PW, I've been walking and camping (and indeed
living) in Scotland from the time I was born (that's a lot more than
18 years)and I'll be doing the same again this summer. Those who let
themselves be put off by these scare stories are letting themselves be
hoodwinked out of one of the very best experiences life has to offer.

druidh

Apologies for butting in on a topic about which I know very little.

A cynic might suggest that you are only encouraging decoys to venture
north in order to lessen the chance of you being bitten. ;-)

PJ

Damn! I'd have gotten away with it if it hadn't been for those pesky kids!

druidh

On this great day..Fri, 29 Apr 2005 14:01:48 GMT, "Snøøp¥"

snoopy2004¬THE@CR@P¬blueyonder.co.uk said:

<
<
<
<"Steve Tipper" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
<news:[email hidden]...
<> Hi NG
<>
<> real simple question I hope !!
<>
<> What time of yesr do I avoid camping in scotland (around Geln Coe and fort
<> william) with the problem of midges in mind ?
<>
<> Both me and the wife have a problem with bad reactions to midge bites and
<> dont want to spoil a good holiday covered in every cream you can buy at

<snipped>

This looks like the first proper "midge post" for this year ...........

..............is this a record ;-)

Mike

Pullout "stop" to reply by email

Well group it seems you have come up trumps again, thanks for all the
advice...

Will have to try the Avon SSS on the wife ;-))

Steve

"Daytona" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Steve Tipper said:

Both me and the wife have a problem with bad reactions to midge bites and
dont want to spoil a good holiday covered in every cream you can buy at
boots the chemist...

As an aside I was told that 3M NATO DEET insect repellent, also
marketed as Ultrathon is good.
<URL:http://www.3m.com/us/home_leisure/scianglers/Ultrathon.jhtml> A
quick group search reveals that no-one's posted about it here before.

Has anyone got any experience of it ?

I guess that DEET is DEET so it may be that 3Ms slow release formula
is the thing that sets it apart.

Daytona

druidh said:

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The midge problem is vastly
exaggerated. I'm convinced that this is either a conspiracy to maintain
a quiet haven north of the border and avoid the Scottish Highlands
turning into another Lake District, or it's some sort of macho posturing
by "hardy" Scottish types.

You may want to take this up with the Scottish Tourist Board, who
have found that 40% of summer visitors would think twice about
returning specifically because of the midges. Not really the sort
of figure they'd make up and put out!

They /can/ ruin a trip, quite easily. But it's fair to say that
the majority of trips go quite well even when they are there, and
in many cases the wind makes them a non-issue.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

On Sat, 30 Apr 2005 00:09:08 GMT, druidh <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The midge problem is vastly
exaggerated.

And I think I have disagreed with you before!

If you are the type of person who is susceptible to midge (and other
biting insects) bites then some parts of Scotland (and, indeed,
England and Wales) are a nightmare when the little blighters are out
in force.

I would recommend that anyone who suffers the way *I* suffer does not
go to known midge-infected places at the bad biting times.

Judith

On Sat, 30 Apr 2005 00:09:08 GMT, druidh <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The midge problem is vastly
exaggerated.

That depends on where you're coming from, quite literally! :-)

Quoted message said:

Unlike PW, I've been walking and camping (and indeed living) in Scotland
from the time I was born (that's a lot more than 18 years)and I'll be
doing the same again this summer.

I've lived in the Highlands for all but three of my forty-plus years
and I'm well used to the midges. I also don't suffer any nasty
reactions to their bite but neither factor makes them any less
unpleasant and uncomfortable to me. Familiarity does breed contempt,
but to the uninitiated a thick cloud of voracious midges descending on
their head can be quite terrifying.

Imagine if your first experience of midges was trying to pitch a tent
on a balmy and calm evening somewhere like Fisherfield, especially if
that was when you discovered that you reacted badly to their bite!

Al
--
[This space intentionally left blank]

On 2/5/05 09:39, in article [email hidden],

Dave Fawthrop said:

It will be mosquitoes next :-(((

No dooubt they will be arriving just in time for the TGO Challenge!

--
Andy Howell
Birmingham, UK

To mail simply put back the dots ...

"Fran" <[email hidden]> schreef in bericht
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] said...

Quoted message said:

Eeeep!! Ick!

--
"Some witty person in rec.insects.midge (I forget who)
called them flying catastrophes. Untamed, unregulated, they roam the
wastes
of the British landscape and pop up where least wanted."

--
Theo
www.theosphotos.fotopic.net

Graham Seed said:

"druidh" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The midge problem is vastly
exaggerated. I'm convinced that this is either a conspiracy to maintain
a quiet haven north of the border and avoid the Scottish Highlands
turning into another Lake District, or it's some sort of macho posturing
by "hardy" Scottish types.

I was looking for an old photo of a May trip to Scotland and managed to dig
this out. In 1986, I teamed up with a few mates and did the West Highland
Way, meeting a couple from Holland as we walked. I remember Kingshouse being
particularly bad - the Dutch chap took this as he opened his tent in the
morning.........
http://graham4228.fotopic.net/p14457129.html

Graham

Really?? That must be some tent to have sash windows and net curtains. .
.....

druidh

"druidh" <[email hidden]> schreef in bericht
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Graham Seed said:

"druidh" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The midge problem is vastly
exaggerated. I'm convinced that this is either a conspiracy to maintain
a quiet haven north of the border and avoid the Scottish Highlands
turning into another Lake District, or it's some sort of macho posturing
by "hardy" Scottish types.

I was looking for an old photo of a May trip to Scotland and managed to
dig
this out. In 1986, I teamed up with a few mates and did the West Highland
Way, meeting a couple from Holland as we walked. I remember Kingshouse
being
particularly bad - the Dutch chap took this as he opened his tent in the
morning.........
http://graham4228.fotopic.net/p14457129.html

Graham

Really?? That must be some tent to have sash windows and net curtains. .
....

Tent attached to (inflatable:-) caravan ?

--
Theo
www.theosphotos.fotopic.net

[email hidden] said...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Eeeep!! Ick!

--
"Some witty person in rec.insects.midge (I forget who)
called them flying catastrophes. Untamed, unregulated, they roam the
wastes of the British landscape and pop up where least wanted."

ROFL! Thank you Theo - that's made my day :-)

--
"Some witty person in rec.arts.sf.composition (I forget who)
called them feral apostrophes. Untamed, unregulated, they roam
the wastes of the English language and pop up where lea'st
expected."

Steve Tipper said:

Well group it seems you have come up trumps again, thanks for all
the advice...

Will have to try the Avon SSS on the wife ;-))

Steve

A friend of mine, who has been in the army, informed me the other day that
chewing liquorice (sp) stick keeps them away. You have to start eating it
some days before you go so that it is in your system and is exuded through
the skin, you can't smell it but the midges can. I haven't tried it so
can't say if it works or not. Whether Liquorice Allsorts would work has yet
to be tried 🙂

I find smearing myself with sun tan lotion stops them biting, although you
do end up covered in black soot 🙂

--

Don`t Worry, Be Happy
Sandy
--
E-Mail:- [email hidden]
Website:- http://www.ftscotland.co.uk
Looking for a webhost? Try http://www.1and1.co.uk/?k_id=2966019

Colin MacDonald said:

Steve Tipper said:

Hi NG

real simple question I hope !!

What time of yesr do I avoid camping in scotland (around Geln Coe and fort
william) with the problem of midges in mind ?

Both me and the wife have a problem with bad reactions to midge bites and
dont want to spoil a good holiday covered in every cream you can buy at
boots the chemist...

I am off to Skye in a couple of weeks - am I likely to suffer the same ther
(I presume so)

You have a few weeks yet before they get properly started.

Ha ha ha ha ha.
They were getting properly started in Ardgour yesterday. Not
unbearable yet, and fortunately there was a nice breeze at the
campsite, but it's only a matter of days rather than weeks...

--
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http://www.no2id.net/