Thinking of a trip to Scotland ? Here are some tips for helping to keep the dreaded midges at bay:
- Cucumber juice or cold Lavender Tea (either fresh or dried lavender leaves) can protect against midges if sprayed on the skin.
- Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus is a personal favourite.
- Some folk swear by Avon Skin So Soft (please remember, what works for some might not work for you)
- Basil, Rosemary, crushed Elderberry leaves and Lavender sometimes help keep flies and midges away. Plant them around your home/garden!
- Bright or flowery clothing attracts insects so avoid them.
- Cover exposed skin, avoid loose clothing and tuck your trousers into your socks/boots or wear gaiters.
- Don’t wear perfumes or any scents as these will attract insects.
- Make sure you take a midge net with you for the days when absolutely nothing works to keep them at bay.
Please remember that everyone is different, what may work for you might not for others.
Experiment with some of the different herbs mentioned above until you find one (or a combination) that works for you. You could also observe which plants in your garden that the flies give a wide berth to.
If all else fails there are some good commercial products available, be careful of some of the chemicals in commercial products though, do your research and I can not stress this enough…a good net is ALWAYS highly recommended. and for less than a fiver they are well worth it 🙂
Don’t let the wee beasties ruin your time in Scotland.
Remember to check the ‘Midge Forecast‘ before you start your trip. Forecasts available during ‘Midge Season’
As always, be safe out there 🙂