Midges, mosquitos and other annoyances!
Adrian
Well - we finally made it away for a short break in the van (92
Craftsman) that we purchased last year. Very impressed with the two CC
clubs we used (Clumber Park and Troutbeck Head) - very unimpressed with
the CL we used for just one night in Cumbria...
But generally all fine - a pleasant few days in the Lake District - but
just wanted to canvass the experts here about small flying biting
things <g>.
We set off from the final site in the lakes about 7am (quietly!) - but
discovered that the midges get up at about 06:30 <g> - and are all well
hungry by 7am.
So - what do _you_ recommend for keeping the perishers at bay ?
Also - said van has what are laughingly called 'mosquito screens' over
the roof vents - but they fit really loosely, and have quite a large
mesh (the midges can get in 4-abreast holding hands!). Is there a
product that can make these vents more midge-proof - and how about
proofing the other large windows...?
Any suggestions (including online suppliers) greatfully received -
needs to be sorted before we go away again, or so I've been told! <g>
Thanks in advance
Adrian
Suffolk UK
Bill
Adrian <adr...@ambquality.co.uk> wrote in message
news:VA.00003d3...@ambquality.co.uk...
> So - what do _you_ recommend for keeping the perishers at bay ?
>
> Suffolk UK
My wife and I smoke like chimneys and have no problems at all with insects.
Perhaps they have more sense than us and don't like passive smoking.
Bill
also Suffolk UK
Klyne
>
> Well - we finally made it away for a short break in the van (92
> Craftsman) that we purchased last year. Very impressed with the two CC
> clubs we used (Clumber Park and Troutbeck Head) - very unimpressed with
> the CL we used for just one night in Cumbria...
>
> But generally all fine - a pleasant few days in the Lake District - but
> just wanted to canvass the experts here about small flying biting
> things <g>.
>
> We set off from the final site in the lakes about 7am (quietly!) - but
> discovered that the midges get up at about 06:30 <g> - and are all well
> hungry by 7am.
Adrian
Avon (ding dong!) sell a oil skin product which seems to keep the beggars at
bay, can't remember the name but someone will.
David - Milton Keynes
T P
>My wife and I smoke like chimneys and have no problems at all with insects.
>
>Perhaps they have more sense than us and don't like passive smoking.
I must admit that I have never seen a midge "active smoking" either.
;-)
Anne Jackson
from Adrian <adr...@ambquality.co.uk> contains these words:
> So - what do _you_ recommend for keeping the perishers at bay ?
I've always found Coal Tar soap effective, if you can stand the smell!
Others I know swear by an Avon product, so I've looked it up on their
webpage for you....Skin-So-Soft Woodland Fresh Moisturising Dry Oil
Body Spray, product number 26450, price £2.25.
Since they charge £2.50 for post and packing, it might be cheaper to
try to find an "Avon Lady" near you somewhere?
HTH
--
AnneJ
ICQ #:- 119531282
Dave Fawthrop
|
| So - what do _you_ recommend for keeping the perishers at bay ?
Mosquito coils or incense sticks
Dave F
Ophelia
"Dave Fawthrop" <hyp...@hyphenologist.co.uk> wrote in message
news:vnckevs14a5l6d5p9...@4ax.com...
Yep light those Mosquito coils under the vents and those midges and
mosquitos will feel distinctly unwell:))
O
Mr Mxptl
Last year we went to France in May/June. At one site, we had lots
of tiny black insect things landing on us - they didn't seem
to fly, just blown by the wind. Anyway, they 'bit' us and we
brushed them off - afterwards, they left very itchy lumps which
lasted for ages (1-2 weeks).
We thought they might be a kind of (early) harvest mite or chigger,
certainly a nuisance. Anybody met these little buggers? Anyone know
of a way of protecting against them?
We suspected they might be a form of 'sap-sucker' (no jokes please!)
and mistook us for a triffid. They came in their zillions and were a
real pain. They were very small (speck-of-dust sized) - they settled
and then 'bit' - and then small, but very itchy lumps.
Any clues?
Neil Cairns
wrote:
>Hi All
See posting in Dublin done by mistake
Neil The Chef
mo
a smell (that we cant smell) that the midges and mossies don't like.
Having lived in tropical countries for many years have found this a good
help!
I will say that one source of Vit B is real ale !! but you can get the tabs
as well
Maurice
--
(All Incoming and Outgoing Emails Scanned With Norton Antivirus 2003)
Andrew Kay
news:VA.00003d3...@ambquality.co.uk...
> Also - said van has what are laughingly called 'mosquito screens' over
> the roof vents - but they fit really loosely, and have quite a large
> mesh (the midges can get in 4-abreast holding hands!). Is there a
> product that can make these vents more midge-proof - and how about
> proofing the other large windows...?
Midges? There aren't any "proper" midges in Lakeland.
The Highland Midge (coilicides impunctatus) is a viscious smaller brother of
the much more affable version you find so objectionable - but there aren't
many of those south of Glasgow (apart from the ones I brought down with me
in the van last year).
In the Lakes, I think just ignoring them is a perfectly workable strategy -
or failing that, a can of fly spray or any of the anti-midge products that
you'll find in caravan accessory shops.
Cheers
Andrew
Andrew Kay
news:bcd3ct$ndh$1...@titan.btinternet.com...
> Avon (ding dong!) sell a oil skin product which seems to keep the beggars
at
> bay, can't remember the name but someone will.
Yes, I've heard that. Apparently it keeps the highland midges away too -
dunno about the altogether more friendly English ones.
Cheers
Andrew
Andrew Kay
news:6azGa.9525$Cm5.3...@newsfep2-win.server.ntli.net...
> Try Vitamin B -- it not only does you good but comes out through the skin
as
> a smell (that we cant smell) that the midges and mossies don't like.
>
> Having lived in tropical countries for many years have found this a good
> help!
Piriton or any other anti-histamine helps reduce the itching if you're
bitten by the (far more viscious) highland hordes.
Cheers
Andrew
Andrew Kay
news:ddb892c2.03061...@posting.google.com...
> We suspected they might be a form of 'sap-sucker' (no jokes please!)
> and mistook us for a triffid. They came in their zillions and were a
> real pain. They were very small (speck-of-dust sized) - they settled
> and then 'bit' - and then small, but very itchy lumps.
>
> Any clues?
They sound a lot like Highland midges. If so the Avon body spray mentioned
elsewhere might keep them at bay. My brother has just come back from Harris
& some of the locals swear by it.
I think the itchy bumps are caused by an allergic reaction to whatever is in
the bite. Some fortunates (such as myself) are unaffected (I don't get the
itchy lumps when bitten - just a small red blotch) - but oddly my brother
is. He finds that piriton helps a lot.
Cheers
Andrew
Ophelia
"Andrew Kay" <Andre...@nospam.glass-uk.org> wrote in message
news:bceoaf$bjg$1...@sparta.btinternet.com...
Piriton works fine but be aware it can make you very drowsy for the first
couple of days. Any non drowsy antihistamine should work fine too
Ophelia
(Delicious the the b***y midgie)
Mary Fisher
>
> Last year we went to France in May/June. At one site, we had lots
> of tiny black insect things landing on us - they didn't seem
> to fly, just blown by the wind. Anyway, they 'bit' us and we
> brushed them off - afterwards, they left very itchy lumps which
> lasted for ages (1-2 weeks).
>
> We thought they might be a kind of (early) harvest mite or chigger,
> certainly a nuisance. Anybody met these little buggers? Anyone know
> of a way of protecting against them?
>
> We suspected they might be a form of 'sap-sucker' (no jokes please!)
> and mistook us for a triffid. They came in their zillions and were a
> real pain. They were very small (speck-of-dust sized) - they settled
> and then 'bit' - and then small, but very itchy lumps.
They sound like things which used to bite me in our Yorkshire garden - when
we had long grass. Since we had hens which ate all the grass I've had no
problem.
But I do react very badly to all insect bites and stings. As a beekeeper for
25 years i occasionally had a very severe general reaction. What I learned
was to take Piriton half an hour before going to the apiary, it's a
complicated sotry but it's far more effective it taken in advance.
A good friend gave me a little device for my birthday - a form of zapper.
It's a little plastic plunger which, after a bite or sting, you place over
the point of entry and depress the button. A series of tiny electrical
impulses, like the piezo gas lighters but far smaller, helps to relieve the
itching and/or pain.
It does work!
Mary
>
> Any clues?
bill lord
<Andre...@nospam.glass-uk.org> wrote:
>Piriton or any other anti-histamine helps reduce the itching if you're
>bitten by the (far more viscious) highland hordes.
I take an antihistamine every day for the vast majority of the year
and the little blighters just love me. I basically cover up and only
get bitten now if I make a mistake. When up in Kinlochewe three weeks
ago, I managed a week with only a few minor bites that lasted only a
few days, but on the last night we were there I took my awning down in
the rain. It stopped part way through and having got more than a bit
warm in my coat I took it off without thinking. I was out about 20
mins and I got my pennance the next day. Each forearm had 50 or so
large red lumps on it, these lasted and drove me mad for the next week
and I still have the remnants visible on my arms. So don't hold out
too much hope for antihistamines.
bill...@ntlspamworld.com (remove the spam to reply)
I've taken a vow of poverty, to annoy me send money
Andrew Kay
news:i9emev0gl34u72gst...@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 14 Jun 2003 08:56:54 +0000 (UTC), "Andrew Kay"
> <Andre...@nospam.glass-uk.org> wrote:
>
> >Piriton or any other anti-histamine helps reduce the itching if you're
> >bitten by the (far more viscious) highland hordes.
>
> ago, I managed a week with only a few minor bites that lasted only a
> few days, but on the last night we were there I took my awning down in
> the rain. It stopped part way through and having got more than a bit
> warm in my coat I took it off without thinking. I was out about 20
> mins and I got my pennance the next day. Each forearm had 50 or so
> large red lumps on it
I had a similar experience at a small site at Badcaul, on the shores of
Little Loch Broom in August last year. One evening, I filled up the
aquaroll - must have been outside the van for maybe 10 mins max. We tried
to count the bites when I got back but gave up. There were over 100 just on
the top of my left forearm !!
> these lasted and drove me mad for the next week
> and I still have the remnants visible on my arms. So don't hold out
> too much hope for antihistamines.
Piriton certainly does help my brother, who usually suffers dreadfully from
the attentions of the highland horrors. AFAIK, I'm not allergic to anything
and midge bites just result in a little red circular mark about 3mm or so
across. Those disappear in a couple of hours - no lumps, bumps, wheals or
itchiness.
I'm either lucky because I'm not allergic to the bite - or unlucky because
I'm the nominated mug who always gets to go outside to replenish the water &
empty the waste & the loo. I'll figure that out one day .......
Cheers
Andrew
mo
goodness knows what.
Vitamin B12 will stop mossies wanting to land on you.
Ask any ex-pat
--
(All Incoming and Outgoing Emails Scanned With Norton Antivirus 2003)
"mo" <jo.s...@hatntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:6azGa.9525$Cm5.3...@newsfep2-win.server.ntli.net...
Paul Cohen
(Klyne) wrote:
> Avon (ding dong!) sell a oil skin product which seems to keep the
> beggars at
> bay, can't remember the name but someone will.
Skin so soft - as the midge equivalent of Mississippi Mud Pie, I'm going
to try that this year.
Paul C.
Paul Cohen
jo.s...@hatntlworld.com (mo) wrote:
> Try Vitamin B -- it not only does you good but comes out through the
> skin as
> a smell (that we cant smell) that the midges and mossies don't like.
I heard that garlic is good too.
However, I heard a program on R4 about this, and a researcher in the field
explained that, all things being equal, we all get bitten the same, but
some of us *react* more badly.
She had not found anything you could consume that would lessen bites, but
that does seem contrary to anecdotal evidence.
Paul C.
Richard
a common problem for the anglers amongst us. Avan skin so soft does work and
is used by many of us .... even famous abroad as you will see in a bit.
Citonella works too .... I sometimes burn a arge candle outside my bivvy and
you can see the fumes keeping the beggars about ten feet above your head. In
a caravan the essential oil can be vaporised with something like an
aromastone (I sell those by the way).
you may find this post on a 'fishing newsgroup' interesting .... hope those
buggers never make it across the atlantic ;o)
Regards ...... Richard
PS see www.aromarich.btinternet.co.uk for the aromastone
and here is that post .....
Well, Piscary, on this I can help you. Winnipeg is sometimes called the
'Mosquito Capital of Canada'. It's not really true, but we do have a lot of
mosquitos 'cos of all the standing water (three rivers and a lake the size
of the UK just north of us). ANyway, here's the low down! hope it helps.
If they are bugging/biting you more than males in the same area, or even
next to you: Look to your deoderant or perfume. They are attracted to
flowery or fruit scents. However, citrus (oranger, lemon, lime, tangerine,
etc.) are deterrents.
If they are biting everyone more or less equally (assuming no defensive
lotions/sprays, etc.):
A 'smudge' (a small pot or fire that produces smoke) works but it can be
pretty offensive to humans as well. The smoke actually kills the mosquitos
as well as driving them away. Wet leaves, branches, wet grass, even soaked
newspaper are effective. Place it upwind of your location and let it cover
the area you are going to be. Provided there is not a lot of wind
(dissipated smudge and brings in mosquitos from other area) it's usually
effective for about four hours. Hanging around a smoker if you are not one
also helps, but it's pretty ineffective unless you/tyhey are a chain-smoker!
:-)
Foods: Eating bananas attracts them. Eating Oranges, etc deters them.
Brewers Yeast/Vitamin B also works. I've heard that Garlic Oil Capsules are
effective. Onions rubbed on skin are effective, so it makes sense that
eating them is. Basically, look to odour creating foods, and select ones
that deter, unselect ones that attract. A high Olive Oil (ala Italians) is
also effective, but I think that's 'cos the skin is oily and less attractive
to the insects.
Creams/sprays: The effective ingredient in most is is "Deet", the higher the
concentration, the longer lasting it is. Deet works by confusing the
'radar' of the mosquito. They home in on Color (over here Light is better
'cos it absorbs less heat so it stands out less), Carbon Dioxide and Water
Vapour (easy fix: stop breathing!), as well as Heat and Movement (why
'swishing' doesn't help), and finally they locate the skin by a natural
chemical (can't remember name) and process that occurs close to the skin of
mammals. The Deet 'blocks' this and they get confused. It's interesting to
spray Deet into a cloud of mosquitos and watch as they move back into the
area. Expose an arm and they zoom towards it. Spray Deet on the skin, and
they zoom towards, then away, then around, and finally leave. It works.
"Off" and "Muskol" are the main brands here. A small spray can costs about
$5 for regular. For about $7 you can get a spray can of "Deep Woods" which
can keep mosquitos thick enough to block light at bay for about 8 hours
(I've experienced it!)
However, it can make you nauseous, cause skin rashes, induce vomiting, burn
the lips, eyes, and mucous membranes, and melt plastic. It also damages
some fishing lines, plastic reels, and takes the finish of varnished rods.
Oh, it will also erase the printing of camera bodies, reels, and other
plastic paraphenalia and damage plastic spectacle lenses and watch faces.
Other than that, it's really good stuff!! Seriously, the mosquitos up North
of here can be so thick that you can't breath without choking on them. In
those cases, this is the only stuff that will keep them at bay.
Alternatives: Creams that carry the Deet but prevent it from being absorbed
into the skin are less effective in terms of time, but are effective for
occasional use. I've used one for years that is safe for use on babies, and
is very effective. it's basically Deet in a lanolin type barrier cream.
Manufactured by "Watkins". Cost here is about $10 for a bottle that lasts
me around 30-40 trips (probably 10 times that in UK).
Increasingly pouplar here are Cintronella products that work on the basis of
deterrence. They seem to work really effectively but none have passed the
95% test (have to keep 95/100 mosquitos at bay for at least two hours). A
lot of people here use them and they swear they work.
Ultrasonic devices: I've seen them work on Stroller with a toddler in it.
Hordes of mosquitos one minute, turn on the device, only a handful buzzing
around. However, they are not very effective here 'cos they are often based
on the frequency of the male wingbeats (and the female, if she's hunting for
blod, has no interest in mating again). We have about 4-6 different species
here throughout the Summer so you would need four devices. Some devices
simply produce an offensive ultrasonic pitch (also work against spiders and
cockroaches), but they can drive a dog or cat crazy.
Finally (Phew!) If you have "Avon" in UK, the "Skin so Soft" product was
known here as a mosquito repellent even though the company never claimed it
was so. We used it on two kids until we switched to the Watkins (Deet)
product. It definitely worked, and does no harm. It feels great too!
HTH
--
Peter D
Paul Westwell
During our annual trip to Ferry Meadows in Peterborough I visit the
Peterborough Beer festival for virtually every session (2 per day 6 days).
Last year I got bitten to pieces by mosquito's so are you suggesting I need
to visit more often?
Regards,
Paul
"mo" <jo.s...@hatntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:6azGa.9525$Cm5.3...@newsfep2-win.server.ntli.net...
mo
watered fizz that we get now. All I can say you didn't start early enough.
It takes a couple of days to start working LOL
--
(All Incoming and Outgoing Emails Scanned With Norton Antivirus 2003)
"Paul Westwell" <paul...@nospam.westwell.me.uk> wrote in message
news:uN1Ia.1097$g22....@newsfep4-glfd.server.ntli.net...
smiler
"Neil Cairns" <ne...@cairns3031.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:3eeb52c9...@news.freeserve.com...> >SNIP
> >But generally all fine - a pleasant few days in the Lake District - but
> >just wanted to canvass the experts here about small flying biting
> >things <g>.
> >
> >We set off from the final site in the lakes about 7am (quietly!) - but
> >discovered that the midges get up at about 06:30 <g> - and are all well
> >hungry by 7am.
> >
etc)at bay ?
> >
> >SNIP> >
> >Any suggestions (including online suppliers) greatfully received -
> >needs to be sorted before we go away again, or so I've been told! <g>
> >
> >Thanks in advance
> >
> >Adrian
> >Suffolk UK
We sit outside in the draught of an electric fan, (weather permitting ).
This is effective for us .
We also avoid pitching close to hedges and the like which provide their
shelter.
If we leave the van we close vents, give a squirt of fly killer which may or
not be effective on midges etc but we usually find the corpses of a few
flies
Cheers
Smiler
smi...@halton.clara.co.uk
I wear antispam (& anti midge) headgear.
The Rifleman
skin ( not suitable for kids)