Nordic Summer

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Their bite is much worse than a mosquito and the raised sore they leave behind is unbelievably itchy so I advise you to stay away from their hotspots of Speyside and Aviemore in May when they’re most prevalent. The greatest numbers of midges are to be found in the West Highlands as that’s where you’ll find their favourite habitats. Thanks to the dense low-lying plants that thrive in Scotland’s remotest regions, the ground underfoot is mostly damp and boggy which is the perfect condition for the females to lay their eggs. Long session with a kitchen pad virtually removed it. But still a faint smell of smoke discernible, after washing my hands several times since.

days later the females appear, they find the males, mate, and the males disappear, never to be seen again. That’s basically a Saturday night out where I’m from.In towns and cities, you can expect to see wasps wherever there are people and discarded food lying about, but I don’t see wasps as a problem. Yes, their sting hurts, but seriously, what do people expect when they instantly start flapping their arms around as soon as a wasp comes nearby? I think the easiest option is twofold. Step one is to cover yourself from head to toe so no exposed part of your skin is visible, and step two is to use a good insect repellent to make your body appear as unappetizing as a week-old kebab. When we are at our Mökkis, we swim, go fishing, take a sauna, get drunk, bbq and ultimately, be closer to nature than normal. A way of ultimate relaxation for Scandic people. These Mökkis are usually located in the middle of nowhere as well. So you can experience an absolute solitude if you wish so. That is the Mökki we are talking about. That’s compounded by the fact there are vast swarms of the flying monstrosities all over the Highlands, so while the odd bite here and there might be tolerable getting a hundred of them at a time is really quite painful. Non-DEET repellents usually comprise of three main active ingredients – IR3535 (Ethyl butyl-acetylamino propionate), saltidin, and citriodiol, all of which are natural products and are reputed to be gentler on the skin and less prone to causing reactions.

If you take anything away from this article remember that if you head anywhere that’s exposed to the wind there’s a much lower chance of getting bothered by the wee menaces compared to sheltered locations like a glen. That first batch is produced using the female midge’s own protein reserves, but if there are to be any more broods she’ll need more protein, and that’s when they start hunting for sources of blood – i.e. you and me. No. Mosquitos need wet and humid conditions to undergo their four stage life cycle (egg, larva, cocoon, mosquito). Larva need water to transform into mosquitos so dry areas and urban environments are normally not plagued. Generally the southern parts of Scandinavia and Finland and especially the coastal areas are also better off. Also mosquitos free are usually the mountain areas and higher planes in Norway and Sweden where conditions are not suitable for them. Real problems can be encountered in Lapland and in all regions with standing fresh water like the lake land area in Finland. They're attracted to the headtorch I wear to read. I've learned to live with those common small white moths that flutter about and often land on my book. But getting dive-bombed by large, frenzied moths is always chaotic.These insects are part of the Ceratopogonidae family of biting midges and they exist on every continent on earth except for those places that are either too cold (like the north and south poles) or too hot (like the permanent deserts of North Africa). FLY DETERRENT OUTDOOR: Our wasp nest spray is made with a special composition, an alternative to wasps killer spray and bee killer spray, ensuring no more wasps in your home straight away and also ensuring long-term protection from any wasps nest. This spray can be used both as an outdoor fly deterrent or a house fly repellent! I strongly suggest you take a look at the forecast before you head into the Highlands and if the map shows a 4 or a 5 in the area you’re heading to, you might want to reconsider your plans. What’s It Like to Get a Midge Bite?

If it’s a warm summer, midges will be out in force well into early autumn due to the emergence of the third generation. While the males of the species prefer to chow down on dead plant matter, females need protein to prepare for their egg-laying – which they do in vast amounts. If I was feeling snippy I’d tell you to just avoid going outside, but that’s not really helpful when you’ve come to Scotland for a walking holiday, is it? What I’ll tell you instead is that because Scottish midges are such a constant problem we resourceful humans have invented lots of ways to deal with them, most of which involve wearing anti-midge clothing, but there are a couple of other gadgets you can use as well.Another alternative popular in Europe is Wilmas Nordic Summer Insect Repellent based on Scandinavian folk remedies - no research that I'm aware of, but lots of anecdotal evidence that it works for some. Has a strange odour like a wood fire which is not entirely unpleasant. My own experience is that solutions that work for some don't work for others - the factors that attract biting insects are complex and seem to vary from person to person. So trial and error is required. Thankfully for those of us who live in Scotland, we can avoid midge season by exploring the countryside when they’re lying dormant, however, if you’re coming here between June and August for your holiday you’re just going to have to put up with them. The level of DEET in a repellent refers to how long the protection will last. 7% DEET usually protects for up to 2 hours. 25% DEET can last up to 5 hours. It’s a complex business to be sure, but one thing that could lead to the government giving the thumbs up to a large-scale midge eradication programme is climate change. It’s a known fact that as winters become ever milder and shorter, midge numbers are increasing dramatically, and with it comes the possibility of midges carrying fatal diseases.

The amount of sun penetrating through the cloud cover is measured as W/m2 (Watts/metre squared). Midges will come out when the cloud cover is below 260 W/m2.

Stroppy Stuff 4,1,0.5 and 0.25 Micron Mono Diamond Suspension High Concentration Stropping Compound Spray

Which reminded me of a chat I had with another mate of mine who is also a very keen Carp Fisherman. Spraying it onto your clothing, which should last up to 6 weeks provided you hand wash or use a wool programme (it is damaged by vigorous washing).