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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

MIDGES!!!!

37 replies

demisemiquaver · 04/07/2013 10:47

...in coming on here for EMERGENCY ADVICE on midge repellant [needs purchased tomorrow!] , and would heavy make-up poss help??
all advice V gratefully received thanxx

OP posts:
Salmotrutta · 04/07/2013 10:48

Avons Skin So Soft or Tea Tree Oil.

Lancelottie · 04/07/2013 10:53

Frankly if it's Scotland or Wales your only hope is a midge net (although going into a house and shutting all the doors and windows also helps, I find).

Original poster
demisemiquaver · 04/07/2013 11:00

thankyou both!..forgot to say the Avon disagrees with me..but willdef try the Tea Tree, have midge net but alas 'look awful in it'
all other suggestions still gratefully rec, thanxx

OP posts:
Almostfifty · 04/07/2013 11:59

Smidge! It works. It's quite new as well, so you might not have heard of it.

WilsonFrickett · 04/07/2013 12:05

Scotland? Keep your doors and windows SHUT all day, even if it's 40 degrees outside. At dusk, go inside.

During the day, long sleeved everything.

But the best advice is avoid the west coast of Scotland. And I am a Scot.

Salmotrutta · 04/07/2013 12:17

C'mon Wilson! Grin

What are the chances of it being 40 degrees up here??

Salmotrutta · 04/07/2013 12:19

Ooh, ivejustremembered - my folks were talking about some new product that has been shown to be very effective (we talk about midge protection a lot up here)

Maybe it's that Smidge?

I'm sure they said it had some number in the title though Confused

AitchTwoOhOneTwo · 04/07/2013 12:20

we were just on hols in a midgie area and tbh i found the boots citrepel worked better than the smidge my mates were using.

expatinscotland · 04/07/2013 12:24

Jungle. It's the only thing that works.

WilsonFrickett · 04/07/2013 12:31

Grin Salmon

About as much chance as me flying to the moon! I had to put the heating back on yesterday

But even if there is one tiny ray of sunshine and op's DCs dance outside, revelling in the thrill of unexpected warmth on their tootsies - SHUT THE BLARDY DOOR! Grin

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 04/07/2013 12:32

Midge net (make sure its a midge net not a mozzie one as holes need to be smaller).

You can also get midge jackets

Salmotrutta · 04/07/2013 12:35

Those midge net hats are so very attractive.

I must buy one...

You could try filling a muslin bag full of ox-blood and hanging it off a nearby bush. The midges will flock to that and leave you alone.

True fact.

digerd · 04/07/2013 12:55

SE
It is already very humid, which my biting beasties seem to love. After last year's first time ever getting a swollen ankle - always get bitten there- which travelled down to my toes and up to my knee, it is a matter of once bitten, forever shy in my case.
So, socks no matter how high the temperature, and ankle bootees, especially in the evenings. Must be indoors before dusk as that is when I was bitten last year.

Also been bitten through my trousers during the day from behind at the back of my thigh Confused. I must be very tasty as they do not attack anybody with me

Did buy some insect repellant cream, but can't stand the bother, perhaps a spray would be more convenient.

cozietoesie · 04/07/2013 13:01

Junglejuice and keep moving. Don't do gardening - and especially stay away from long grass.

Preferably, stay indoors.

cozietoesie · 04/07/2013 13:05

Sorry - that's plain jungle.

PTA · 04/07/2013 13:10

99p wipes from Bodycare work for us. Can't remember the name but they are in a bright yellow packet with green writing, they look like the packs of floor wipes that you get.

I think you need to experiment and find out what works best for you as people react to different products in different ways. They annoy rather than bite me (my GM said I had sour blood!!) but make a right mess of my DH.

KatyTheCleaningLady · 04/07/2013 13:12

Smidge is pretty good.

Salmotrutta · 04/07/2013 13:16

By the way, I never get bitten. They just annoy the hell out of me.

Mind you, rather a midge than a black fly or deer fly like they get in North America - they actually make you bleed! Shock

AitchTwoOhOneTwo · 04/07/2013 14:34

has anyone ever tried these bugs lock bracelet things? suspiciously variable prices on amazon.

KatyTheCleaningLady · 04/07/2013 14:42

I lived in Argyll for years until this winter. If those bracelets worked, I would have known about them.

trinity0097 · 04/07/2013 14:49

The only thing that really works is a midge machine which attracts the biting midges within a certain radius, then you freeze them and then dispose of them! Works for my parents in Argyll, not very helpful though for a one off event as they have to run for a whole though and need a canister of gas!!!

Perihelion · 04/07/2013 15:25

Trousers, long sleeves and chain smoking. Used smidge at the weekend for the first time. Was pretty good, but wasn't dealing with NW Highland levels of midges. 100% DEET works well but is scary stuff.

Salmotrutta · 04/07/2013 15:39

Yes, DEET is pretty nasty stuff.

GinGuzzler · 04/07/2013 15:43

Another one to recommend Deet. Little shits hate it

Mwah ha ha ha

^^ evil laugh...

AitchTwoOhOneTwo · 04/07/2013 15:47

doesn't it melt yer watch strap, though?

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