If one more person suggest Avon Skin-So-Soft as an Insect Repellent I swear I will scream...

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Tried and tested methods?

My gran used a smelly solution including Malt Vinegar on all of her kids when she took them anywhere likely to have sandflies or midges. Mum remembers that it did work but no other kids would play with them.

Midges seem to be most attracted to those who have been drinking, females, and those with bits of dead midge stuck to their slapped limbs.

What do you do to repel biting insects?

― Rumpie (lil drummer girl parumpumpumpu), Thursday, 27 April 2006 08:58 (twenty years ago)

buy insect repellent spray?

haw haw

― Ste (Fuzzy), Thursday, 27 April 2006 09:00 (twenty years ago)

Avon Skin-So-Soft really works!

::puts fingers in ears::

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 27 April 2006 09:03 (twenty years ago)

The last time I used it the midges landed on me but couldn't fly off due to the amounrt I'd rubbed on.

So they stayed and gorged themselves to death.

― Rumpie (lil drummer girl parumpumpumpu), Thursday, 27 April 2006 09:08 (twenty years ago)

Dirt, beligerance, smoke and sitting next to someone with thin skin.

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 27 April 2006 09:09 (twenty years ago)

My son came home with his hands covered in dirt the other day and said it was because he was "throwing stones at the midges" - I don't think it's a very effective technique but he seemed to enjoy it.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 27 April 2006 09:13 (twenty years ago)

if we didn't have people like your son the midgy population would be outta control!

― Ste (Fuzzy), Thursday, 27 April 2006 09:16 (twenty years ago)

Classic.

I will bombard them with bricks.

― Rumpie (lil drummer girl parumpumpumpu), Thursday, 27 April 2006 09:29 (twenty years ago)

lack of insects is one of the few remaining reasons to remain in the uk these days,

― dog latin (dog latin), Thursday, 27 April 2006 09:30 (twenty years ago)

Unless you are particularly fond of camping in the Highlands.

Or anywhere north of Ayrshire.

― Rumpie (lil drummer girl parumpumpumpu), Thursday, 27 April 2006 09:53 (twenty years ago)

Avoid wearing light colours, esp. yellow.

― Alba (Alba), Thursday, 27 April 2006 09:54 (twenty years ago)

Really?

I'm normally head to toe in brown...

― Rumpie (lil drummer girl parumpumpumpu), Thursday, 27 April 2006 10:40 (twenty years ago)

plenty midgies south of ayrshire, try galloway.

the only thing that actually works is the barrier method - ie wear one of those funny hats with a net that covers your face.

or stay inside your tent cursing.

― bumble, Thursday, 27 April 2006 11:07 (twenty years ago)

Do you not have Aerogard spray over there then?

(Its a spray for the skin wot repels mozzies and flies and the like)

― Trayce (trayce), Thursday, 27 April 2006 11:15 (twenty years ago)

Really?

I'm normally head to toe in brown...

Oops. Should have checked first. I assumed they had the same preferences as sandflies, which I was getting bitten to fuck by in NZ before I switched to a dark top.

But according to this midges are the opposite to most biting insects - they are attracted to dark colours. I'm glad I found that out.

― Alba (Alba), Thursday, 27 April 2006 11:22 (twenty years ago)

Okay, so wear light colours and leave no skin exposed.

A white decontamination suit?

We thought we would be safe if we headed down Galloway way for our next camping weekend bumble. Damn it!

― Rumpie (lil drummer girl parumpumpumpu), Thursday, 27 April 2006 11:48 (twenty years ago)

no midgies in london. move here.

― JimD (JimD), Thursday, 27 April 2006 11:50 (twenty years ago)

Midges are all over the UK. The best thing to get rid of them is a breeze, they also really don't like smoke so a nice fire is good too.

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 27 April 2006 11:51 (twenty years ago)

I've been using some stuff called GreenBan. It's basically citronella and peppermint in an oily base. A little squirt bottle. The Skin-So-Soft type product I looked at had DEET in it. I work outdoors and need to repel Lyme-carrying deer ticks, and because of the amount of stuff I have to slather on I wanted a less chemically harsh alternative. Why would anyone want to drench themselves with something that pregnant women are warned off of? Other than alcohol, that is.
So far so good with the GreenBan, though it might be coincidence.

― Beth Parker (Beth Parker), Thursday, 27 April 2006 12:01 (twenty years ago)

Here's the stuff. Two words, Green Ban.

http://www.greenhome.com/products/pest_control/personal_insect_repellants/102324

― Beth Parker (Beth Parker), Thursday, 27 April 2006 12:04 (twenty years ago)

Wow. I'll definitely give that a try.

A fire is fine if you are outwith an actual campsite, or in a campsite that allows fires.

The one we visit the most is pretty far off roughing it, it has all the facilities and is pretty regimented - No Talking After 11.30! Lights out!

They don't allow fires, so I encourage Mr R to chain smoke...

― Rumpie (lil drummer girl parumpumpumpu), Thursday, 27 April 2006 12:25 (twenty years ago)

the UK has less bugs than the US?!

Also, I have never heard of a "midge".

http://www.firstfoot.com/Bad%20Scottish%20Pop/Images/midgefull.gif

― JimD (JimD), Thursday, 27 April 2006 12:43 (twenty years ago)

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