Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Username: Password:

Follow NI-Wild

Author Topic: Midges - Staying away from them  (Read 5970 times)

RedLeader

  • Has Camped With NI-Wild
  • Hero Poster
  • ******
  • Karma: 175
  • Posts: 1977
Midges - Staying away from them
« on: July 25, 2011 »

We have discussed how best to deal with midges in the past but I'm wondering how to avoid them altogether. I always thought they disappeared at dusk but that definitely didn't happen at the weekend. Someone mentioned they only appear near water and below 600m. Is this true?
Logged

LennyJ1

  • Has Camped With NI-Wild
  • Hero Poster
  • ******
  • Karma: 199
  • Posts: 2168
  • Has climbed with NI-Wild
    • Outdoor Gear UK
Re: Midges - Staying away from them
« Reply #1 on: July 25, 2011 »

Dont know about 600m  ??? I know sand flies cant fly above a certain high.

But I believe the water thing is true. I think they are at least near boggy land.
Logged
No one goes inside to clear their head

LandyLiam

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Poster
  • *****
  • Karma: 166
  • Posts: 3825
    • Team BLRC
Re: Midges - Staying away from them
« Reply #2 on: July 25, 2011 »

It was I that mentioned the 600m limit, I thought I read it on this forum but searched and found nothing, I've a funny feeling I read it in the book of the bivvy, I'll  go and dig out my copy.

P.s. Saw a horse today with a midge head net on, I was going to take a pic but it was right beside a house and I looked suspicious enough as I was geocaching at the time.
Logged
think outside, no box required

Drongo

  • Has Camped With NI-Wild
  • Top Poster
  • ***
  • Karma: 11
  • Posts: 201
Re: Midges - Staying away from them
« Reply #3 on: July 25, 2011 »

Keep walking....

I've heard they can't fly faster than you can walk...
Logged
I'm Not Drunk...!!!  I'm Irish, there is a Difference...

LandyLiam

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Poster
  • *****
  • Karma: 166
  • Posts: 3825
    • Team BLRC
Re: Midges - Staying away from them
« Reply #4 on: July 25, 2011 »

aha, book of the bivvy has a handy index at the back

page 53
Quote
All worthwhile tents are screened and netted against the evil insect. Some bivvybags are too. But if there are midges then it must be summer - so shouldn't you be further up the hill?

 i told you to camp on Bearnagh  ;D

Quote
Midges rarely annoy people above the 600m contour. In a zipless bag in a damp wood at the foot of Ben Nevis, I made a strange discovery. When i scrunched everything up to leave a very small breathing hole, the midges did not come in, Perhaps the air was moving in and out rapidly enough to scare them off.


So that's what Ron the legend says, so it must be true  8)
« Last Edit: July 25, 2011 by LandyLiam »
Logged
think outside, no box required

RedLeader

  • Has Camped With NI-Wild
  • Hero Poster
  • ******
  • Karma: 175
  • Posts: 1977
Re: Midges - Staying away from them
« Reply #5 on: July 25, 2011 »

I'm assuming Ronald Turnbull would never be wrong!
Logged
 

Bottom Sponsor

Recent Topics

A comment of appreciation by Rugged Track [November 04, 2024]


Lough Shannagh by Scribble [March 22, 2023]

Where has everyone gone? by Glenn B [March 02, 2023]




Hello 👋🏻 by RedLeader [March 13, 2022]

Overnighter on 21st August by Wolf_Larson [November 02, 2021]

crabbing by Glenn B [July 19, 2021]


Slieive Binnian Hike by Rugged Track [November 06, 2020]

Silent Valley by Binnianboy [June 28, 2020]

Is it safe... by Rugged Track [June 02, 2020]




You've got a mention... by NorthernSky [December 12, 2019]


Hen Mountain Wild Camp by Rugged Track [November 28, 2019]

Happy Valley by Binnianboy [September 30, 2019]