M i d g e s

[sarabande]

can one of the 'residents' please tell me one thing about this inseck.

If you are anchored, and it is very calm, how far will the little buzzers fly from land in order to bite you ? And are mosquito nets or scuttle panels any use at keeping them out please ?

[Nick]

.
100m is too close, 200m is plenty.

[ubergeekian]

100m is too close, 200m is plenty.

I've never found any problems at anchor anywhere, even Bowmore (namely for the mudges) with the exception of Bellanoch Bay. However (a) you can't anchor there any more and (b) it doesn't really count anyway.

A few will follow a dinghy out, particularly if it is being rowed by someone breathing out lots of nice carbon dioxide, but they generally seem to give up after 50 - 100m or so.

[little boy blue]

avon - skin so soft - keeps them at bay.

[Booby Trapper]

Just returned from 6 days away and we weren't bothered at all. Stopped at Gigha, Loch Sween, Crinan. Jura, Islay, Cambeltown Carradale and Lochranza. I think it might just have been to cold for them at night. Temperatures were still in single figures.

[Telo]

As with the two Ians and Nick, they really don't bother you on the water. Going ashore is when the problems start.

[Orla]

Here's a wee story the good Lady Mac put together, all about the Midge:-

http://www.yachtorla.com/?page_id=466

[DaveS]

As has been said, they're not normally a problem until you go ashore. There is always the odd exception, though. A few years ago, arriving at Oronsay, we were greeted by a swarm of midges before we'd got the anchor down. Unusual behaviour.

I keep on board Moon Tigers (licenced by the Pyrethrum Bureau of Kenya) for use (in a Yokoyama Mk VII holder) in the boarded up cabin.

[Telo]

for use (in a Yokoyama Mk VII holder)

Is that a tenor saxophone you have?

[DaveS]

Na, na. It's a wee tin box, twa halves that fit thegither, wi a fibreglass mesh tae hud the coil securely an stop it gettin broken or burnin things. Richt clever. A dinna ken whit wis wrang wi Marks I to VI, tho...

[ubergeekian]

I keep on board Moon Tigers (licenced by the Pyrethrum Bureau of Kenya) for use (in a Yokoyama Mk VII holder) in the boarded up cabin.

Years ago I made a big mistake in tying up for the night at the back of Crinan Basin (by the car park and where the vulgar motor boats seem to live now) and leaving the hatch open for ventilation. I woke up in the middle of the night with my arms on fire. A subsequent count estimated 400 midge bites on each forearm.

The worse mistake, though, was in sleepily lighting a mosquito coil and closing the hatch. I cannot remember whether I or my crew woke first, but it was a damn good thing someone did because we were both barely able to breathe. I do not like to imagine what might have happened if we'd had another hour of it.

[ubergeekian]

Just returned from 6 days away and we weren't bothered at all. Stopped at Gigha, Loch Sween, Crinan. Jura, Islay, Cambeltown Carradale and Lochranza. I think it might just have been to cold for them at night. Temperatures were still in single figures.

I think you're right. Too cold and too early in the year. The only place I have encountered them so far this year is the playground in Port Bannatyne. Since it's next to the old tram cutting (dark, wet) the wee sods are normally ferocious there, but they were quite mild this time.

[Arghiro]

I find it helps to take the Wifey with me, she seems to taste better than I do.

[Clyde_Wanderer]

Shoo, thats the stuff.
I have used this for years when fishing.
Especially when spending hours standing chest high in waders and one cant use his hands to scratch.
A little drop of Shoo poured on the palm of the hand and rubbed into exposed parts, lasts about 45min.
C_W

http://www.shoorepellents.com/home.php

OOPS, goes to show how long it has been since I seriously fly fished, but still have a bottle of it in my waistcoat.
2006 was the year I bought Hummingbird, that might have something to do with the cesation of the fly fishing, but not for long as I believe it is a great way to fish for mackeral.

[Clyde_Wanderer]

Just returned from 6 days away and we weren't bothered at all. Stopped at Gigha, Loch Sween, Crinan. Jura, Islay, Cambeltown Carradale and Lochranza. I think it might just have been to cold for them at night. Temperatures were still in single figures.

I think you're right. Too cold and too early in the year. The only place I have encountered them so far this year is the playground in Port Bannatyne. Since it's next to the old tram cutting (dark, wet) the wee sods are normally ferocious there, but they were quite mild this time.

Are you describing the kids or the midges?