Bugs and Midges

[Emanresu]

Hopefully, I will be off to the Highlands of Scotland in August. What's the best midge deterrent cream you can buy. Is there one that does not make you smell like a hardware shop and that is compatible with sunscreen cream (which hopefully I will need to use).

[Digby]

DEET (or any preparation containing it) does the job, but it does smell a little unpleasant if you overdo it - and it damages some plastics.

[Marmot]

Bugs and Midges

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Hopefully, I will be off to the Highlands of Scotland in August. What's the best midge deterrent cream you can buy. Is there one that does not make you smell like a hardware shop and that is compatible with sunscreen cream (which hopefully I will need to use).
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Stuart Gale

Reply from GoXplore's expert 'Marmot':

I'll try and make this reply as broad as possible so that it can apply to lots of people. Mossie nets and head coverings are a real must-have, especially if you are near still water, for this is the place where mosquios and other bugs lay their eggs, so you can imagine the numbers of blood sucking vampires there are around those areas.

Deet should only be used in moderation - I've seen it melt through some plastics. There are combos of mosquito/sun cream around which might be a good idea. Cragg Hoppers' "nosquito" range of clothing is amazing, a friend of mine wore just the short sleeve t-shirt and she was only bitten like four times in an entire 21 days out in the candian rockies.

Another item which proved it weight in gold is, God knows what it's called, but if you click a mosquito bite with it, it sends a small electric current onto the bite and deadens the nerve endings, you dont feel the irritation, you don't scratch it, the pain and swelling goes quickly without being infected (as can happen if you scratch a lot and the skin is broken).

A friend of mine who canoes (not kayaks) out in America, burns some green plants in a bake bean tin sitting in the canoe, the midges hate the smoke and leave him alone. He does hunt with a bow and arrow so the smoke might not be the only reason they leave him alone!

Waspeez is also a good spray for reducing all sorts of bites, from mosquito to jelly fish stings, believe me I can vouch for both of them!

Hope some of that applies and helps

[Marmot]

Ive been recomended to take marmite 2 weeks before departure to mosquito zones and to be continued through the expedition. I believe it is the vitamin B - thiamine content which has the anti mosquito affect.
Personally i cant stand marminte so will take some vitamin b pills with me.