The Highland Midge Survival Guide: From Prevention to Protection

[@dubstatic]

I found moving to Dorset helped me ;)

[@beyondtheworkbench]

That would work 👍

[@garrygrant2827]

Hi when i was young i lived in argyll oh boy every year late spring till October midges were horrendous so bad some warm still humid nights my bed room window was black as there was billions on these biters first 3 years i was on ghere menu but later on my body seemed to get usgo them nice video very good information

[@beyondtheworkbench]

I am really pleased you said your body gets used to it as I was hoping that might happen

[@ashtonwoodturnings225]

This channel is getting better and better, Thank you

[@beyondtheworkbench]

Thanks for the feedback I am really really pleased you think so.

[@joobrien]

The best midge info video ever!

[@beyondtheworkbench]

Thanks!

[@thenullco]

Blitzed through all your videos over a week or so. Looks like I'm not the only one doing it, which I think is the hallmark of a good channel! Really enjoyable. Admire your drive, problem solving, and determination. I take a similar approach. Sad to see the hair go!

[@beyondtheworkbench]

Wow you made it through all of them! Thank you. It was driving me crazy blowing in my face so in a moment of madness I took to the clippers

[@nim3od]

I have been using the icaradin for years, it was developed for use on horses I believe. My hands were black with dead midges when I used deet (jungle formula) fishing Butterstone Loch. I prefer to cover up and a midge net does not cost much at all and you will look normal if fishing as everyone will be wearing one.

[@beyondtheworkbench]

Yea I think you can get away with the hat most of the time.

[@SmithyScotland]

Skin so soft - but the original version

[@beyondtheworkbench]

I diddnt know there was a difference I will have to see if I can get some

[@adrianhart9409]

11th of May When I moved to Scotland, my builder told me, Midge season starts on the 11th May. Sure enough, I've found that's quite an accurate date. I live on a croft and have found you do build a tolerance to them. However maybe I instinctively learn to do my jobs outside peak periods. I'll itch for about 30minutes after being bitten, however I no longer react to them. I was also told they breed in a 2 week cycle, so every 2 weeks they are really bad. At times you just have to hide from them.

[@beyondtheworkbench]

That sounds about right. Glad to hear you build up a tolerance or maybe just get used to them

[@markoneil8286]

Thanks for the info. I am outside at nite and have have a go at me in spring, summer, early fall

[@beyondtheworkbench]

That must be tough if you have to be outside in the bad bits

[@markoneil8286]

@@beyondtheworkbench no vaping as doing it in the house the dog coughs all the time

[@shakymedia_UK]

Thanks for the video, very useful. We live further north in Halkirk and the midges here are the size of a pin head but their bite is quite painful. Like being stabbed by a needle. Used skin so soft but it’s weak. Jungle milk is quite good. I’ll try some of your suggestions. Luckily here in the real high lands the winds blow most of the time and they don’t bother us. Another observation up here is they seem to live in the hedges. So one more thing to add to your preventions is don’t disturb the hedgerows or trees.

[@beyondtheworkbench]

Is it!? I am glad ours seem a little more tame and I will keep in mind about disturbing the undergrowth. I have found when I am doing work in the grass it stirrs them up but haddnt considered it was the grass I thought they just found me in numbers

[@Scottishgardenandkitchen]

Got to love our midgies haha strong but tiny. I have a homestead in the Scottish Highlands. ❤ Interesting channel- following along

[@beyondtheworkbench]

Thanks!

[@Alixstair]

A superb guide to midge countermeasures thank you!

[@beyondtheworkbench]

Thank you very much

[@sowgroweat6987]

Looking forward to those up-coming videos. The last time in Scotland was ruined by us having a drink then hiding in tents in the evening. Standing in bonfire smoke also helps, but the resultant deterioration in lung quality from the smoke is not fun.

[@beyondtheworkbench]

Yea I agree thats the hardest bit. You want to be outside enjoying it but end up just having to hide

[@mgmcgahon1]

Pipistrelle bats are your friends. They eat approx 3000 midges a night each.

[@beyondtheworkbench]

We have some of those! I found them when I was fixing the barn. I will have to start a breeding programme

[@Jonebee7771]

Make some bat boxes 👍​@@beyondtheworkbench

[@dundeerocks]

I'm one of the lucky people midgies don't go for (large sums of money for scientific research always welcome) . It's perhaps not the superpower I'd hoped for but in Scotland I'll definitely take it!

[@beyondtheworkbench]

That would be amazing!

[@davidmitchell1029]

Wind kills midgies so use a deskfan or two when you sit outside on bugdays

[@beyondtheworkbench]

I actually did do that when we had a BBQ as we have some huge fans and it definitely kept them away from the immediate area

[@davidmitchell1029]

@@beyondtheworkbench go round with a leaf blower for 5 mins next time...lol or the fan from a bouncy castle...lol tried that before.

[@petershores]

I wonder why we don’t get them in similar terrain in Wales? Good video thanks as we love Scotland for hols!

[@beyondtheworkbench]

Yea I wonder that too now you mention it

[@Dibblah1900]

The Smidge headnet works quite well too. Definitely don't assume that a "normal" midge net will work - the Scottish midge just breezes straight through. Nice video!

[@beyondtheworkbench]

Thanks 😁

[@johnbeattie9561]

Midges are one thing but wait till the Clegs get you. those buggers drink you blood and even though much bigger than Midges you never feel them land you just feel the bite.

[@beyondtheworkbench]

Yea those are monsters! one drew blood the other day

[@happyglampers9053]

Having suffered with mosi bites for years, I’ve found that Avon Skin So Soft Original Dry Oil Body Spray with Jojoba works as a repellent. Nothing scientific though. Great vid Rob 👏👌👍 That was a cruel test that you did to yourself 😳😮 Even though there’s a risk, Deet every time when it’s very humid (SSS washes off with the perspiration) 👍

[@beyondtheworkbench]

That sounds like a winning solution thanks. Yea I had to grin and bare it

[@yanik007]

Is there anything you can plant around your house / office to deter / repel the bugs? Or remove any painting that they like?

[@beyondtheworkbench]

Yea you can get citronella plants which are like grass or reeds so they will fit in nicely where we are. I am not sure if they repel innately or if its the 'juice' inside that does it so we will have to find out.

[@CChallinor]

I heard they could strip a body to the bone in 30 minutes

[@beyondtheworkbench]

The Scottish Piranha

[@inquisitiveexplorerlee3299]

👍

[@areyoushaw206]

Have you seen the flextail repellants that use citronnella?

[@beyondtheworkbench]

Nope not yet but now you mention it I am checking it out right now