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?

Was using the midgie nets between takes and they were fairly effective to be fair. I was an extra on a period drama thingy and they were getting on my hands and lower arms too, and round my neck. But when the director shouts "rolling" you have to whip the net off and hide it, then stand there for however long getting eaten alive! When you tell people you do the odd day's work as a film/tv extra they think it's all glamour and hair and makeup and sitting in trailers waiting for your starring role, not waiting in a tent in a field by Loch Lomond, being eaten by midgies.

Does nobody read the OP before posting??!! Sorry I have no advice at all about what to try, but everyone recommending what the OP has clearly stated they've already tried, plus irrelevant comments like "move east" are utterly pointless 🤦🏾‍♀️

Really hope some of the items suggested that you haven't already tried actually help, sounds flipping miserable 😕

Smoke
Avon skin so soft
Midgie head net and long sleeves

I always use it and it works for me. They love biting me, and so do mosquitoes.

I live on the West Coast. I remember decades ago I’d put my baby DD down by my feet as I was putting washing out early in morning…I hadn’t felt any midgies start on me but something made me look down and I couldn’t see DDs face at all, it was just a black moving swarm. Very startling scary, I grabbed her and just ran inside. Even now as an adult she doesn’t mind them biting too much but abhors them swarming.

Avon Skin So Soft is the most recommended thing, but I think they changed the recipe a few years back and it’s not as effective. Smidge is supposed to work. I’m fortunate in that they don’t seem to like the taste of me and swarms don’t bother me so I’ve never needed to try anything.

Good Luck!

Got to be Avon Skin So Soft

The old version of Avon so soft, in fact I think Avon reverted to the old formula after an uproar. I had boxes of it fortunately as it also repels mozzies so was a lifesaver on military tours.

Radio 4 'sliced bread' covered mosquito repellents a while ago, it may be of interest

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3PKf6d0R7743k3zz1zrglG3/which-mosquito-repellents-are-proven-to-work-best

I've used Skin So Soft recently in midgie-tastic conditions and didn't get eaten alive, so I suspect they have changed the formula back to the old one as per PP. So I would definitely recommend it!

Am I right in thinking it's only a certain type of Skin so Soft that works? Many moons ago I think it was the one in green packaging that was most effective. Haven't bought from there in ages so it might be different

Get the original one, not the fancy fragrance versions!

https://avon.uk.com/collections/skin-so-soft-collection?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwmrqzBhAoEiwAXVpgoo_P5cXtfx02L8dSAT0igcHR2c1suhe6DCWm2jMo3dSzWFgQ6kWCQhoCeS0QAvD_BwE

It's the original one I always buy.

https://www.thesmokinmidge.com/ might be worth a try.

I think it has to be a combination of all of the above. We (barely) survived a camping trip in a particularly bad spot with a combination of
-smidge

• the boots mossie spray
• citronella oil burners on big stakes
• midge nets
• one of these https://www.lakeland.co.uk/61581/thermacell-halo-mini-patio-shield-mosquito-and-midge-repeller?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwmrqzBhAoEiwAXVpgojvTIAHVVwkRA_mPO2O4M0wpYsbLMHbTtWVWZq5pyfCVdAb5aKVp4BoCdcsQAvD_BwE

It really was a "what's the fecking point of this" type of holiday

Oh and we had a smoking midge set too

I have tried the Skin So Soft stuff so many times over the last decade with other people trying to convince me it worked-I think it’s awful stuff! It’s slimy, smells absolutely revolting and doesn’t work in the slightest!

I buy the Trek Pyramid, think it used to be called Repel 55. That works really for me.

Not quite the same, but mosquitoes love me. On a trip to Australia last year, where mosquitoes always get me, I used a combination of skin so soft, Boots insect repellent and some wrist bands that are meant to repel mosquitoes, I wasn't bitten at all in 3 weeks. I'd have had at least 10, if not more.

Lifelong midge magnet here. Smidge has worked for me, usually (touch wood). I recently tried a Tesco own-brand spray. It comes in 3 strengths, one of which is DEET-free and suitable for 6 month olds.
As for how to deal with the aftermath, a pharmacist recently gave me some hydrocortisone cream which made a big difference. I'd been using Piriton cream and Piriton tablets together (which they tell you not to do, but she said that's what she was going to recommend first!).

I was out last week and was using Smidge. It didn't stop them being around me, even landing on me occasionally, but I didn't get bitten once, and they usually eat me alive.

This works very well and smells like perfume.

victoriahealth.com/mrs-whites-unstung-hero-mosquito-repellent-100ml/

Antihistamines

Scratching the fuck out of them afterwards with a denman hairbrush

Hair dryer, blasted at close range also removes the itch

🤕 🤕

You need to use one of those clicker things you can buy in Boots. Just zap the bite when it itches. It delivers a small electric shock type thing which stops the itch. Ice is also good.

Citrepel works for me, must be the Citronella in it. You can get it in normal bottles but also credit card shaped ones that fit even v small pockets, which are great for top ups on the go.

Full hazmat suit required. Dh (then bf) and my first night away together was a campsite at Luss. We pitched the tent, had a beautiful dinner at Lodge on the Loch, a romantic stroll back to the campsite and straight into a tent full of midges. We spent the night scratching in the car. I have never had so many bites. Skin so soft works for dh but nothing seems to stop them biting me.