Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => General Chat => Topic started by: RedLeader on June 16, 2010

Title: Midges!
Post by: RedLeader on June 16, 2010
Chuck pointed out that it's coming to that time of year when the midges are about. What does everyone do to try and ease the situation. I have a head net that I've not used yet but will be taking from now on. I also have repellent but to be honest, it never seems to do that much good.
Title: Re: Midges!
Post by: LennyJ1 on June 16, 2010
I hate the like beggers, I dont really use any defence apart from waving my arms around like im at a rave lol :D.

But the higher you are the less likly you will incounter them? am I correct  ???
Title: Re: Midges!
Post by: suspectmonkey on June 16, 2010
Avon Skin-So-Soft is (apparently) the ticket.  I have a bottle, but haven't been able to try it out in anger yet.  I've heard good reports though, so it might be worth be-friending an Avon rep over ;)
Title: Re: Midges!
Post by: RedLeader on June 16, 2010
Sounds like you're just softening yourself up so you're easier to eat ;)

Avon Skin-So-Soft is (apparently) the ticket.  I have a bottle, but haven't been able to try it out in anger yet.  I've heard good reports though, so it might be worth be-friending an Avon rep over ;)
Title: Re: Midges!
Post by: ChuckMcB on June 16, 2010
I've been using Jungle formula (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26keywords%3Djungle%2520formula%26tag%3Dgooghydr-21%26index%3Daps%26hvadid%3D3124190216%26ref%3Dpd_sl%5F2h7zv4cjok%5Fe&tag=ni-wiid-21&linkCode=ur2&camp=1634&creative=19450) for years, just the liquid stuff (stick a couple of drops on the back of your hands, spread it on your arms, face from there so you don't end up with jungle formula flavoured fingers).

Avon Skin-So-Soft is (apparently) the ticket.  I have a bottle, but haven't been able to try it out in anger yet.  I've heard good reports though, so it might be worth be-friending an Avon rep over ;)
Was sceptical about this, until I asked Mr Google: link (http://www.bushwear.co.uk/nostyles.php?ProductID=396903) & link (http://www.wyrdology.com/edinburgh/midges/avon.html) - More: "Avon's spray finds calling as midge repellent for Royal Marines (http://heritage.scotsman.com/scotland/Avons-spray-finds-calling-as.2654251.jp)"
Title: Re: Midges!
Post by: Paul72 on June 16, 2010
I've heard that eating lots of garlic helps but haven't tested it myself
Title: Re: Midges!
Post by: surfnscenic on June 16, 2010
Last week while in Silent Valley I got ate by the little things.  Ii sprayed repellant on myself but it didn't appear to have much effect.  I had to put my headover on, pulled over my head and face even though it was warm it did the trick. 

Just before reading this article I had just spoken to my neighbours lad who is doing a Duke of Ed trip this weekend.  Last weekend he got mauled by the midges.  I have passed on the Avon cream advice to him with the thought that if it's good enough for the Marines then .............

I think I'll give this a go.  Anything is worth a victory over this element of the food chain.
Title: Re: Midges!
Post by: ChuckMcB on June 17, 2010
...i sprayed repellant on myself....
What brand/type?
Title: Re: Midges!
Post by: suspectmonkey on June 17, 2010
Avon Skin-So-Soft is (apparently) the ticket.  I have a bottle, but haven't been able to try it out in anger yet.  I've heard good reports though, so it might be worth be-friending an Avon rep over ;)
Was sceptical about this, until I asked Mr Google: link (http://www.bushwear.co.uk/nostyles.php?ProductID=396903) & link (http://www.wyrdology.com/edinburgh/midges/avon.html) - More: "Avon's spray finds calling as midge repellent for Royal Marines (http://heritage.scotsman.com/scotland/Avons-spray-finds-calling-as.2654251.jp)"

When I was in Scotland half the outdoor shops I went in to sold Avon Skin-So-Soft.  Actually, I think I've seen bottles of it for sale in Tiso Belfast.  It's a spray pump bottle so its easy to apply, although I see one of the articles has mistakenly referred to it as a cream.  One thing I've noticed is that it tends to solidify at low temperatures, but don't chuck it out as once the temperature rises it will return back to normal.
Title: Re: Midges!
Post by: suspectmonkey on June 17, 2010
Quote
The crew responsible for the final episodes of Monarch of the Glen set at Ardverikie estate, near Loch Laggan, wore anti-midge body suits and veiled headgear while filming.

Ok forget all the sprays, creams and repellents!  What we need is some anti-midge body suits and veiled headgear :D

Mind you, I have to say that Northern Irish midges arent a patch on Scottish midges.  The Scottish midges are fierce and you can actually feel the buggers biting you rather than just waking up with some red lumps the next day.
Title: Re: Midges!
Post by: RedLeader on June 17, 2010
Quote
The crew responsible for the final episodes of Monarch of the Glen set at Ardverikie estate, near Loch Laggan, wore anti-midge body suits and veiled headgear while filming.

Ok forget all the sprays, creams and repellents!  What we need is some anti-midge body suits and veiled headgear :D

Mind you, I have to say that Northern Irish midges arent a patch on Scottish midges.  The Scottish midges are fierce and you can actually feel the buggers biting you rather than just waking up with some red lumps the next day.

(http://blog.makezine.com/Tesla18Dalek10003Ft.jpg)
Title: Re: Midges!
Post by: ChuckMcB on June 17, 2010
Mind you, I have to say that Northern Irish midges arent a patch on Scottish midges.  The Scottish midges are fierce and you can actually feel the buggers biting you rather than just waking up with some red lumps the next day.
They are much smaller, so they can sneak through the anti-mozzy mesh that work in the NI.
Title: Re: Midges!
Post by: twentyclicks on June 18, 2010
Mind you, I have to say that Northern Irish midges arent a patch on Scottish midges.  The Scottish midges are fierce and you can actually feel the buggers biting you rather than just waking up with some red lumps the next day.
They are much smaller, so they can sneak through the anti-mozzy mesh that work in the NI.

You need that "no-see-um" material - appears to be what the Americans call midges.

Yes, we sell the Avon Skin so Soft in Tiso.  It's a very fine spray of a moisturising dry oil.  Smell is faint but pleasant.  I just got a bottle the other week but haven't tried it in anger yet apart from helping my sunburnt arms  8)
Title: Re: Midges!
Post by: 666_pack on June 18, 2010
Mind you, I have to say that Northern Irish midges arent a patch on Scottish midges.  The Scottish midges are fierce and you can actually feel the buggers biting you rather than just waking up with some red lumps the next day.
They are much smaller, so they can sneak through the anti-mozzy mesh that work in the NI.

You need that "no-see-um" material - appears to be what the Americans call midges.

Yes, we sell the Avon Skin so Soft in Tiso.  It's a very fine spray of a moisturising dry oil.  Smell is faint but pleasant.  I just got a bottle the other week but haven't tried it in anger yet apart from helping my sunburnt arms  8)

SORRY HIJACK

ahh you work in tiso?
Do you have any sofie merlins in stock if so how much? (If i'm barkin up the wrong tree sorry in advance)
Title: Re: Midges!
Post by: twentyclicks on June 18, 2010
Mind you, I have to say that Northern Irish midges arent a patch on Scottish midges.  The Scottish midges are fierce and you can actually feel the buggers biting you rather than just waking up with some red lumps the next day.
They are much smaller, so they can sneak through the anti-mozzy mesh that work in the NI.

You need that "no-see-um" material - appears to be what the Americans call midges.

Yes, we sell the Avon Skin so Soft in Tiso.  It's a very fine spray of a moisturising dry oil.  Smell is faint but pleasant.  I just got a bottle the other week but haven't tried it in anger yet apart from helping my sunburnt arms  8)

SORRY HIJACK

ahh you work in tiso?
Do you have any sofie merlins in stock if so how much? (If i'm barkin up the wrong tree sorry in advance)
The sleeping bags?  No, sorry no Snugpak stocked.  PM me anytime, I'll try to help, although I'm only in at the weekends.
Title: Re: Midges!
Post by: 666_pack on June 18, 2010
cheers mate.

Back to midges. :P
Title: Re: Midges!
Post by: chris on June 18, 2010
Mind you, I have to say that Northern Irish midges arent a patch on Scottish midges.  The Scottish midges are fierce and you can actually feel the buggers biting you rather than just waking up with some red lumps the next day.
They are much smaller, so they can sneak through the anti-mozzy mesh that work in the NI.

You need that "no-see-um" material - appears to be what the Americans call midges.

Yes, we sell the Avon Skin so Soft in Tiso.  It's a very fine spray of a moisturising dry oil.  Smell is faint but pleasant.  I just got a bottle the other week but haven't tried it in anger yet apart from helping my sunburnt arms  8)

SORRY HIJACK

ahh you work in tiso?
Do you have any sofie merlins in stock if so how much? (If i'm barkin up the wrong tree sorry in advance)

I got mine in jacksons.
Title: Re: Midges!
Post by: alanrsv on June 20, 2010
Just back from climbing on Pigeon, ate to bits by midges and we were using boots tropical strength repellent , it was a long stand on belay and fighting off the midges we couldnt ab off quick enough !
Title: Re: Midges!
Post by: Scribble on June 20, 2010
My lovely Avon lady gave me a free bottle to try out :) have to put her bin out while she is on holidays but I can live with that
Title: Re: Midges!
Post by: ChuckMcB on June 20, 2010
.....ate to bits by midges and we were using boots tropical strength repellent.....
Thanks for posting the product details...handy to know what to avoid.
Title: Re: Midges!
Post by: LennyJ1 on June 21, 2010
I was really lucky on Saturday I didnt get touched  ;D
Title: Re: Midges!
Post by: RedLeader on June 21, 2010
We didn't see any on the Iplod either. Far too windy prob!
Title: Re: Midges!
Post by: suspectmonkey on June 21, 2010
.....ate to bits by midges and we were using boots tropical strength repellent.....
Thanks for posting the product details...handy to know what to avoid.

I tried a Boots branded insect repellent in Scotland and it was useless (against midges at least!).  It was sticky on your skin and tasted horrible when you clobbered it on your face.  Worst of all, the midges seemed to like the stuff!  Once they landed on your skin they got stuck in the stickiness and so be attached to your body where they could happily munch away.
Title: Re: Midges!
Post by: Scribble on November 11, 2010
Hyoid lovely Avon lady is now selling skin so soft half price so stock up and look forward till summer