I camp with my little girl and sometimes my partner too. I have a simple set up which I don't really want to expand (small tent, no enclosed porch) but I was bitten to death in about an hour on Friday night.
I would love to just sit out but I just can't up here. How do you tackle it? Midge hats or a sit in shelter?
My son's a countryside ranger, and he tipped me off about Avon Skin-So-Soft, which he says soldiers take abroad with them on active duty, because it's better than the stuff the Army provide! He uses it all the time in the summer, and it works!
It probably won't drive them all away, however. There are always little blighters more determined than others to make a meal of innocent campers! It's a shame to be sitting indoors on a summer's night. There are No-See-Um hats you can buy which keep them out. Citron candles might help. If the night isn't too warm, just a woolly hat with a snood is a reasonable barrier.
Shelter, buying an awning with fully enclosable flyscreen netting on doors and window panels plus a fully fly screened caravan with a external door flyscreen was the best thing we ever did, plus we carry one of those ultraviolet catering style fly zappers just incase any strays do get in.
Also wear dark coloured clothing, they are attracted to certain bright light colours, yellow being the worst, followed by orange, white, lime green and red. In an emegency if you dont have any insect repellant to hand, apply malt vinegar to your exposed skin, the propper stuff, not the 'non brewed condiment' type, they hate it and will keep well clear!
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
Smidge is the best I've found, but even then I get the odd bite. I react badly so for me 'Anthisan' is the best itch relief cream. I keep it permanently in my handbag in the summer.
Other things to thing about.
Choice of pitch, stay away from vegetation. In a big field rather than pitch up against the hedge, pitch right in the middle instead.
If you can't avoid vegetation, put a windbreak up against the hedge or bush and they will go the other way.
Go to a site right on the coast. A good onshore breeze takes the little buggers away.
Smoke from a campfire helps keep them away.
In the evenings, change into long sleeves and trousers. Tuck the trousers in to your socks. Put a head net on for the twilight time as this seems to be worse. You can take it off again soon. At this point you will not care about being attractive. Just as well....
Great advice you have had so far, and just wanted to second Smidge as a really effective way to stop them getting what they want, we tried Skin so Soft and it was ok, but not as good as Smidge for keeping the little blighters off.
We also burn midge coils and also have a fire where we can, the smoke does help.
------------- Enjoying life beyond kids, new love, living on a boat and a new lease of life in my mid 50s! Never too old to reinvent yourself.....
Mum to five - 4 girls, 31,28,25 and 22 and one boy, 20
Engaged! Wedding June 2020!
Quote: Originally posted by FriendOfOwls on 13/6/2015My son's a countryside ranger, and he tipped me off about Avon Skin-So-Soft, which he says soldiers take abroad with them on active duty, because it's better than the stuff the Army provide! He uses it all the time in the summer, and it works!
When I first started camping, and coincidently joined these forums, (Summer 2012) all the talk was about this Avon stuff, including that reference to our forces. But before I had time to blink, there were a considerable number of posters talking of "changed ingredients", "Improved formula" and other similar comments. They were more often than not accompanied by negative comments, with regards to keeping midgies at bay.
Why, one poster even went to the trouble of posting a picture of her(?) bottle of Skin-So-Soft on the table outside her tent... with about 3 million midgies attacking said bottle like feeding time at the, erm... Midgie zoo!!
I don't know the details. I don't know the truth. Just a heads up for anyone who likes to research before buying!
For the record, we ended up buying Smidge... but I can't recommend it, as we haven't been lucky enough to be in a position to try it yet!
...Really must check to see if it has a "Use By" date!!
Smidge works a treat. And dont be embarrassed to wear midge hoods or even better if you can get them midge jackets. We had a gala day at our site today. Midgies were out in full force. We put our midge hoods on and lots of folk were wearing theirs. We all had a great day. We also have the jackets which we use when out on the river. Years ago I would have bothered about the "look". Nowadays I dont care.
We use incense sticks during the summer months, not only do they help keep midges away but they smell lovely, provided you choose the right ones!
I also have a midge jacket with built in mesh panels to keep them at bay, look like I'm on safari but at least no itchy red blotches the following day!!
Vitamin B1 (thiamin) tablets for a couple of weeks before I head to a midge zone and Smidge when I'm there. Skin So Soft works to some extent but I find Smidge is better.
Smidge for me as well....Found the Avon stuff didn't work for me....Found a smudge fire keeps them off you as well.....Midge head net was bought last year....Don't know if they work yet as I have never worn it yet....But when and if the time comes....I will have no qualms about wearing it...I don't go camping to worry about the stuff I wear...I'm not in a fashion competition...If a midge net keeps them off me I'm wearing it....
Laugh if you like while your slapping your face and arms!!!
Jelboy.
------------- Campers of the storm,Into this world are born
Apparently if you take garlic tablets/capsules beforehand that's supposed to help keep them off. Will probably keep everyone else off too, but c'est la vie! I've heard good things about Brewer's Yeast tablets too.
------------- Always edited for sloppy typing - when I spot it!
Daisy, skin so soft here too. My husband used it for years as a military pilot in all sorts of climates/bug land. Better than the nasty chemical options in our experience.
Edited to add that I intend to wear a net this summer!
Smidge for us too. Found jungle formula with the highest deet content was good for repelling but destroys anything plastic based so you have to be very careful with tent and so on.
However we find smidge as good if not better and much more pleasant and not so toxic
So sorry for the late reply, thank you for all your helpful suggestions. I'll try smidge first, particularly if it doesn't damage tent fabric (I'd never thought about that!)
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Topic: The dreaded midge
