I'm planning to visit Northern Scotland (kind of around the NC500) in mid-late September. I know that the midgies can be a real problem in the summer but was wondering whether they have normally gone by then? I've looked at the magnetic mosquito screens that you can get for the T6 and they look fabulous, but i'd rather not spend the £150ish for fitted ones if it's not really needed. Any advice gratefully received. Thank you.
Scotland in September (midgies or not??)
- Thread starter Trodden
- Start date
Mid may to September according to The Highland Midge
@The Flying Scotsman gets around Scotland more than me, so he'll be best placed to answer.
We were up there last july and all was fine on the midge front
We were up there last july and all was fine on the midge front
Don’t waste your money on the mosquito screen.
The holes on the mesh are too big and the midgies can get through them.
I once made the mistake of buying a mosquito head net instead of a midgie head net for when I was out fishing.
The mosquito net let all the midgies in and I ended up basically wearing a bag full of midgies on my head.
I think the worst of them will be past by September.
Best tips for midgies
Buy a small fire pit and have that burning when sitting outside.
This makes a huge difference
I’ve been super impressed with this
It burns twigs but I take a box of these with me
Have a couple of citronella candles burning in your van. Make sure the vents are open though.
A good place is on the shelf at the front of the pop top when open.
Have some in your open awning also.
Don’t go out in the evenings when there’s no breeze if it’s bad.
If you do keep moving don’t stay in the one spot.
Or wear a head net (one for midgies)
Look for a pitch with a light wind.
If it’s bad and the van gets a load of them inside it.
Switch off all lights bar one and they will congregate around it.
Take a small battery hand hoover with you and just suck them all up.
Best repellent I’ve found is the small tins of spray on Smidge.
Not cheap but effective.
Yeh last July was like 12 degrees though Kevin.
I can remember not taking my winter coat or hat off all holiday
This July I got my knees burnt sitting on my arse drinking beers
And I thought I was in the shade.
Whatever mozzie / midge solution you choose make sure it’s not these from Van Style (palm automotive)
www.vanstyle.co.uk
One of the most overpriced and ineffective pieces of crap for the T6 market!
Pair of Magnetic Fitting Front Cab Mosquito Nets – VW T5 T6 - Vanstyle
Scottish Midges are the Elite Special Forces of the insect world. They laugh at our pieces of flimsy netting and just treat it as a training exercise.
In any normal year they are starting to die off by the end of August, but this isn't an ordinary year. In my experience, they are less bad the further away from the West Coast you go.
The only way I can suggest for you to be Midge free is to take me along with you. I am a Midge Magnet (like a Fridge Magnet, but different). The optimal ratio is one me per four normal humans. Trouble is, I am an antisocial bast**d and no fun to be with, so it would be one hell of a commitment on your part, but I am open to offers....
In any normal year they are starting to die off by the end of August, but this isn't an ordinary year. In my experience, they are less bad the further away from the West Coast you go.
The only way I can suggest for you to be Midge free is to take me along with you. I am a Midge Magnet (like a Fridge Magnet, but different). The optimal ratio is one me per four normal humans. Trouble is, I am an antisocial bast**d and no fun to be with, so it would be one hell of a commitment on your part, but I am open to offers....
I am a midge magnet also and a single bite nowadays would look like a big welt same with horse flies they love me plagued for days even weeks if I do not get some antihistamine cream repeatedly rubbed in.
I’d rather have a million mozzies in the van than one mother in law
Good advice above I've done a number of archaeological digs on Islay over the past seasons, midges are rife. Best advice I can give:
- mossie nets are no good. You need midge netting, 800-1000 holes per square inch. Lifesystems and purple turtle are the best I've used;
- Smidge works well, Lifesystems 100 is even better but be prepared for your lips to go numb! Locals also swear by Avon Skin So Soft oil, but never tried it myself
- Smoke is a great idea for outside to keep them at bay, I found citronella didn't really work.
- make sure your have anti histamines to hand. I'm not normally allergic to bites but when they do get you, they can be numerous and your system can get overloaded (mine did, had to rush to the local hospital). Savers sell them for about £1 a box, Loretadine (Hay fever tablets) and Ceterizine (infect bite) were both effective for me.
- park somewhere windy - they can't get off the ground with a breeze going!
- mossie nets are no good. You need midge netting, 800-1000 holes per square inch. Lifesystems and purple turtle are the best I've used;
- Smidge works well, Lifesystems 100 is even better but be prepared for your lips to go numb! Locals also swear by Avon Skin So Soft oil, but never tried it myself
- Smoke is a great idea for outside to keep them at bay, I found citronella didn't really work.
- make sure your have anti histamines to hand. I'm not normally allergic to bites but when they do get you, they can be numerous and your system can get overloaded (mine did, had to rush to the local hospital). Savers sell them for about £1 a box, Loretadine (Hay fever tablets) and Ceterizine (infect bite) were both effective for me.
- park somewhere windy - they can't get off the ground with a breeze going!
I was told Avon Skin So Soft changed their recipe a couple of years ago, so it’s not as good as it was.
Yeh keeping the mother in law in a cage on a trailer is the best advice I’ve ever read on here
The locals told me that as well a few months back. Still works but not as good as it was.
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