Midge machines??

[Sturmundcalm]

Anyone got any experience of either the expensive midge eater machines or smaller repellant type devices?

The citronella candles don't work cause they get blown out even sitting inside glass holders (and yet the wind isn't enough to keep the midges away).

We are in the damp west coast and our garden is v green and has a pond... I do have stuff to apply to myself (like skin so soft) but TBH I don't like any of that and wouldn't want to do that just to sit outside with a cuppa for an hour.

Midge machines were all the rage twenty years ago when they first came out, but I don't know anyone who has one now 🤷

When lots of people had them, the general consensus was that with continuous use they did interrupt the breeding cycles in their area, and that they reduced the midges. We did have some BBQs etc on nights we shouldn't have been able to, but it wasn't midge free, more midge lite!! Nobody ever claimed they got rid of them completely, so I suppose everyone decided they weren't worth the cost and effort.

Are you quite new to the area I'm guessing? Can't you just do what locals do and stay inside unless it's windy?

ha ha - born and raised on the west coast! but I think a combo of wetter spring/summers the last few years and this garden (we only moved a few years ago) mean it's much worse for us than previously. lots of trees around us which along with the pond make it midge heaven...

i think your comment about waning popularity is what makes me wary - i feel like if they really were the answer then i'd know more people who had one.

Why are there so many midges in Scotland anyway? I follow Fiona in the Wild, and honestly she is great/hilarious/brave camping on her own all over Scotland in the wilds, but even she can't stand the amount of midges and often moves on when they get on her nerves!

Surely there must be something that would reduce the prevalence of these midges.....

Midge machines (big expensive ones) take five years to take full effect apparently which might be why they don’t get many positive reports - it’s a big commitment and I wonder if folk just don’t stick it out consistently. You need to buy the paper refill things and gas to power them - it’s a right faff. We attempted this about ten years ago though so technology may have moved on.

We tend to use a fan these days (though it is a shame to create wind on the rare still days).

While we’re sort-of on the subject I can recommend sellotape for midgey bites - by preventing air getting to them it stops them itching. Game changer.

There was talk of commercial midgie harvesting some years ago, with them being a cheap source of protein. Sadly that never came to anything, probably because the cost:profit ratio was well off.
The first time I experienced Highlands midges I was gobsmacked at their tenacious ferocity. I was used to their weedier Welsh cousins that just come out and bother you at dusk then bugger back off again when it's proper dark, but those Scottish blighters are something else. They formed an impressive crust on my cup of tea when I made the mistake of leaving it uncovered for 10 seconds to put the lid back on the milk while camping. Yes, I did drink it, and them.

Haha sorry!! 🙈

Bugger. East Coast atm. Thinking of moving to D&G. On coast. Big green garden. Will it be full of midges?

There may be some? Suggest you ask the locals, or visit and lie outside naked on a still evening 😁

But we are talking about the Highland midge - they are a different problem altogether. I lived in Glasgow for a while and they thought they had midges there. Ha. Ha. Ha.

@LizardyGutsThank you (reassuring)

While we’re sort-of on the subject I can recommend sellotape for midgey bites - by preventing air getting to them it stops them itching. Game changer.

Thank you @RemoteControlledChaos , I will try that. I might be wrapped up like an awkwardly shaped present but it'll be worth it. I usually try putting Anthisan on as soon as I can but it doesn't always start itching until later. I get bitten a lot, by anything with mouthparts 😩

We've noticed midges here in the centre of Scotland, them never having been too much of a problem before. I'm hoping they're just on their holidays and will bugger off back home sooner rather than later.

Yes.
@Sturmundcalm I've found having carnivorous pitcher plants in the house deals with the ones that come in when the doors and windows are open (along with the flies etc) and planting lavender, lemongrass and wildflowers around the patio works as they dont like the lemongrass or lavender and the wildflowers attract ladybugs that eat them.

Honestly im glad that I have anti midge ggenethat makes them ignore me and eat everyone else

@Hoardasurassaround Newton Stewart say?

I am dealing with the west coast island variety - the most vicious of all, in my extensive experience.

hmmm, i was looking at a fan for use indoors on the (vanishingly rare) sunny days that make our south facing bedroom v warm. maybe could try that as a first step, although not sure it would work if we had people over.

will investigate carnivorous house plants! although i tend to kill all indoor plants - outside goes ok but inside is like plant cemetery 🙄

My neighbours would and did say they're not a problem here on the D&G coast, but my blood is manna from heaven to midges and I would vehemently disagree.

And I am not that far from NS

FLEXTAIL Outdoor Mosquito Repellent is best insect Repeller These get good reviews although I don't have personal experience. I use midge coils which are pretty effective.