midgies - what actually WORKS?

[Misthios]

Was working yesterday by Loch Lomond (filming, not glamorous in the slightest) and it was SO midgie, probably because we were right by the water, it was still and calm, and there were lots of trees. All the crew had midgie nets, we were not able to use those while filming. Some crew were still complaining they were getting bitten through the nets or on bits not covered. People going round squirting Smidge, and Jungle Formula spray with DEET, didn't work. Was fine in the morning, absolutely eaten to death in the afternoon.

What actually works against these wee buggers, or is avoiding the only answer?

People used to recommend Avon Skin So Soft - not sure if that still works!

Moving to east coast or England

Smoking. Not helpful if it drifts in front of the lens.

I actually spent much of the morning by a camp fire and that did definitely deter them.

A flame thrower.

Boots Soltan Protect and Repel suncream and their after sun with repellent in it (it’s in a blue bottle) are really good. Keeping on the move helps as well - if you sit/stand still they tend to hover round you more, although I know that’s not always practical. The weather yesterday wouldn’t have helped. If there’s a bit of wind it keeps them away

You can get different strengths of Jungle Formula, use the high concentrate tropical one, its the only one that works if you do tend to get bitten. Even if you use the roll on around your hands, wear long sleeves in lighter colours. But be aware it will mark plastic if you have it on your hands wet

All the old wives tales, garlic/marmite/vit/skin so soft do not work. I live with mozzies and other biting buggers and deet 50% is the only thing that works.

It was Avon skin so soft. Haven’t used it in a decade as sadly haven’t been up to Scotland. But yes that was the staple of summer holidays for me through childhood and teens.

DH used to get bitten terribly until we found this

https://www.smidgeup.com/ and it made a huge difference

It's not cheap but a little bit goes a long way and it works really well so it is still reasonable value for money. Smells quite nice too, a bit like CK1!

I have never been bitten that much anyway but also find if I have been swimming they stay back a bit

When it's like that, nothing.
They are a genuine nuisance and have ruined many a camping trip for me.

I have tried most known deterrents from chain smoking, making a fire, slathering on whatever product...when they are out in force, nothing works.

They are fearsome.

Smidge didn't work yesterday. I am not a fan of DEET, I know it's safe but it is so strong and I don't want it on my lips or in my eyes. Keeping moving does work, but was not practical with what I was doing yesterday. Will need to get some more Skin so Soft, sure we used that in the past. Midgies aren't really an issue here in suburban Glasgow!!

What you need is a sacrificial lamb who smells so delicious all the midgies swarm them. Sadly that is my role in life so I layer up. Smidge on skin, deet on clothing, you get stuff from camping stores spray I and let it dry when you are doing laundry. Citronella is good for midgies. Those bands you wear on your wrist put one on your hair. Neals yard do a nice citronella Sun spray which is refreshing. Kids anti nit detangling spray on the hair. Just keep spritzing. You do have to learn to ignore them and deal with the after effects a bit. Back of a hot teaspoon works for me.

For filming you could rent industrial midgies traps they produce co2 which attracts them. I worked for a wedding venue that used them. They were a couple of hundred a day. Best to use 3 in a triangle around guests/ filmmakers.

I've heard about people taking a garlic supplement and one of the B vitamins, you'd have to google which one!

Take both, garlic and b12

We moved back to the west of Scotland 20 years ago. The locals all swore by Skin So Soft by Avon. It's slightly oily on the skin which the midges can't penetrate. My husband stockpiles the stuff. By the way, I only recently found out it's only the female midge which bites.

I'm delicious apparently and nothing works. I'm afraid my only solution is to stay on the windy East Coast till October. Only then do I venture West.

Once devoured, I find pointing my hairdryer directly at the bites till the skin almost melts takes the itch away for about a day. If I don't do that, I'm quite likely to peel the whole area clean of skin as I cannot not scratch. I'll scratch till I bleed. Hairdryer is my weapon of choice.

I like the hot teaspoon method for taking the itch out.
I too scratch till I bleed.

Worst place to get them...top of the feet. Usually occurs during dawn pee trips in sandals.

I got some spray & also a roll on….i think the name was Incognito. Bought it at holland & Barrett & seemed to work pretty well.
I also bought some citronella candles & joss sticks (that’s what we called them in the 70’s, not sure of 21st century title) to use indoors & on the balconies.
These were for holidays in Greek islands as previously I’d been eaten alive.

In terms of once you've actually been bitten, Piriton is the best thing to take the itch and redness away I have found. And a cold, wet flannel.

I remember green coils of something which would burn slowly from childhood west of Scotland holidays, those didn't work either.

Smoke (campfire)
Wind
Moving
Covering every mm of skin

Bog myrtle was planted and traditionally used in Western Scotland.

Go to the East Coast rather than the West.

I work in the forestry sector in Scotland so am outdoors with the midges a lot. Avon Skin-So-Soft has a little citronella in it which the midges don't like. This is lemongrass oil which I buy, dilute it and carry it in a wee spray bottle. When it's really bad I combine a spray of citronella with one of Smidge.

If you can do it without disturbing the filming, a fan works well in keeping them away.

This works on me. It’s citronella. It worked so well one summer that I could see a line on my toes that I’d missed.

https://amzn.to/4c3IYtQ

Nordic Summer from Amazon. It comes in a little tin and will make you smell of pine and bonfires, but is the only thing that stops me being eaten alive by midges and other bitey insects. The owner of the place we stay in Scotland swears that eating Marmite every day stops him being bitten. I prefer the Nordic Summer!

Midgie head nets - not remotely trendy but they work. Also sun tan lotion.