1x 150ml SKIN so SOFT ® AVON Dry Oil Body Spray ORIGINAL® +jojoba insect repellent

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Midges are said to enjoy the smell of our natural body odour and sweat which is where using certain scents can come in handy. About a week later the midge offspring mature. The eggs then hatch to become soil-dwelling larvae. They then go through a number of stages before bursting into a beautiful butterfly...not really that's when they become a fully-fledged midge. This is known as the first generation. Normally no. At least not until afterwards and even then it's usually not too bad. Most of the time we're completely oblivious to midge bites. They usually feed for about 3 or so.

Now you've got your midge repellent arsenal sorted, here are some practical tips you can use while you're out there in the wilderness. Head for the water If you're unfamiliar with Scottish dialect, you'd be forgiven for mistaking midges for mosquitos. Both the midge and mosquito bite and draw blood, albeit only female midges are biters. However, mosquitoes are much, much larger than midges. Ingredients include lemongrass – of course – as well as bog myrtle, aloe vera, jojoba, neem and mango. It is a wholesome product: handmade, organic, palm oil-free, vegan-friendly and non-toxic. Available in a 30ml travel size. Can also be used to deter mosquitoes and horseflies. Smidge keeps midges, mosquitoes, horseflies and other biting critters at bay for up to 8 hours with just one application and it’s also water-resistant, so if you feel the need to go wild swimming you won’t have to re-apply it. That’s me and my trusty bottle of Smidge at the Fairy Pools on Skye.

Due to their tiny jaw-span, midges aren't very adept at biting through clothing. It's a good idea to opt for full-length trousers and long-sleeved tops. Your very own midge trap. Keep materials lightweight and breathable if you're hiking in the summer. Get up high Icaridin works similar to DEET, but its adoption is not as widespread. For example, Canada only allowed the use of icaridin in 2012, a long time after the United States and the United Kingdom did. Midges are insects with a wingspan of just 1-2mm. They need blood to survive and enjoy feasting on animals and humans. The good news is that those local news stories about how great Avon products are at repelling insects don’t have to be totally wrong anymore!

There are, however, ways to avoid midges which include avoiding the regions where they’re most prevalent ie. the Highlands, the north and west coasts, and the west coast islands, but obviously, you will then miss out on seeing the most scenic parts of Scotland. There's usually a first generation (or wave) and a second generation of midges. In the early autumn midge numbers are on the decrease, which is why September and October are great hiking months in Scotland. WHERE BEST TO AVOID MIDGES IN SCOTLAND? Verdict: A brilliant product that kept me midge-free. It also helped soothe redness on existing bites. A cheeky ascent of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, should keep you midge free. Stay indoors during dawn and dusk While Avon Skin-So-Soft is not as effective as DEET-based repellents, it still does a decent job of repelling mosquitoes. This is possibly due to one of its ingredients, icaridin. 1 2

More about midges

Avon could have real money-makers on their hands if they opted to use DEET in their Bug Guard brand. However, some people claim that DEET is dangerous to the nervous system, though no study has found this to be true. 5 Sure, bad reactions can happen, but that’s with every product. Wandering around shops and supermarkets across the Highlands during the summer months, you will see tourists clutching this elixir. Wear bright coloured clothing, visit when it's very hot or colder, wear long sleeved tops, get up high, take to the water, avoid stopping in long vegetation, try midge repellent spray. WHAT TIME OF DAY ARE MIDGES MOST ACTIVE? Midges have been around for thousands of years but with climate change, they are increasing their range and extending their season.

They can itch though. It's best to avoid itching if possible. Get some anti-histamine cream on it and you should be good to go. WHY DO MIDGE BITES AFFECT PEOPLE DIFFERENTLY? Midge bites are very unpleasant and they have been known to bring grown men to tears, mainly because the resulting swelling is maddeningly itchy and can last for several days.Mozzies are more often found in warm climates and make a distinctive and loud buzzing noise. Scottish midges, on the other hand, are only about 1-3mm, and often grey in colour (unless they've just been guzzling blood, in which case they turn red. Lovely). There are nearly 40 species of biting midge in Scotland but only five of these are thought to regularly feed on people. Of these, the Highland midge, Culicoides impunctatus, is the most bloodthirsty, and the species responsible for most of the bites of people. Using Avon’s “Bug Guard” is a good solution for a (relatively) cheap repellent that also aids your skin. Regular Avon Skin-So-Soft will work too, but only for a fraction of the time, it seems. Though, it’s better than using other items around your house, such as Listerine.