Midges - Any ideas

[Old Smoothound]

Hi fellas,

I'm going up to Scotland in August for a few days and I wondered if you guys could help me out. I think this has been asked before, but does anyone have any preventative wisdom to stop midges biting?

I remember someone metioning Avon lotion, but I can't think which type or the name of it.

Any help would be graciously received.

[tommy a]

Shaun,

I always use Boots own insect repellant - Buzz Off - smells of lemon and is quite strong when you spray it on but it does work - never seem to get any bites here or abroad - might be wortha shout.

Also you get to smell better than your old fish bait !!

[gullyworm]

Hello shaun the stuff you want is Avon insect repelent aftersun.
After spending months in Scotland every year its the only stuff ive found that works.
Its what the forrestry people use and the soldiers in the field '
You will still get a few bights tho

[Greenheart]

When the wife & I went to Scotland, we used some stuff called Jungle formula. It helped but still got a few bites. Some fly fishing catalogues also list hats with face nets. You may look a prat wearing it, but in my experience it could be worth paying the price. One other idea!! when we were camping near Fort William, the camp site had no shower, so we went down to the local swimming baths for a wash each day . We found that the smell of the pool chlorine on your skin also acts as a good repellant.

[Pross]

Deet is the stuff the military use for jungle areas but is supposed to melt plastic and sting like mad if it gets in your eyes. Not sure if you can by it commercially over here though.

[Old Smoothound]

Thanks fellas,

I'm gonna buy all of them just to make sure.....

[Greenheart]

Originally Posted by Pross

Deet is the stuff the military use for jungle areas but is supposed to melt plastic and sting like mad if it gets in your eyes. Not sure if you can by it commercially over here though.

You can get Deet over the Counter in any chemist, Boots, Superdrug etc. Used it in India & Thailand. Certainly worked on the mozzies, not sure about the midges though coz ther'e Jocks....

PS also came across welsh midges when fishing Usk Reservoir in the Brecon Becons. Recon they were specially trained by the Viet Taff.

[Omahayank]

Have an uncle who farmed in South Dakota, always says cheap vanilla extract.
Also heard of the Avon thing...Avon's 'skin-so-soft'...not mktd as a repelant, but works.
And finally Deet is still the best. Still have West Nile Virus floating around the US. Hasn't killed anything yet this year, but you still wonder whenever you see a dead bird.


ps. If you use Deet, don't spray it directly on your face. Spray it on the back of your hand, and rub it on your neck, ears and cheeks. Spray it on underside of your hat brim.
It won't wash off easily, so either have a Deet hand and a Bait hand, or have the Mrs. apply it and you bait her hooks. Stand well away from your kit while you spray it too. Also have a separate Deet and fish towels. Good luck

[geffski]

Originally Posted by Pross

Deet is the stuff the military use for jungle areas but is supposed to melt plastic and sting like mad if it gets in your eyes. Not sure if you can by it commercially over here though.

deet is a good allrounder! yeah it duz sting like mad if it gets in your eyes!
but ive worked out a little ploy to solve this! DONT GET IT IN YOUR EYES! wash ya hands arfter application, (dont bother with the organic versions that say ther as effective they just dont work)
DEET great stuff !
not sure if it works on rock hard jock bugs tho?

[gullyworm]

Originally Posted by Pross

Deet is the stuff the military use for jungle areas but is supposed to melt plastic and sting like mad if it gets in your eyes. Not sure if you can by it commercially over here though.

You can gaurantee if we get it in the military its crap thats why were always buying our own -warm weather gear-diving gloves-hoods-insect repelents-ETC ETC