Midges

[mysteryduck]

We have a lot of midges in the back yard that tend to come out in the late afternoon/evening. I'm trying to figure out how to get rid of them...

When we acquired the garden there was a conifer (which has been chopped, though the stump is still there), a swampy lawn (which is in the process of being removed ), dodgy decking (it's kind of falling apart and the wood doesn't look in great condition so we're power washing it and will paint it soon; also spiders like to live here so I brush them away -- I might remove the railing around the decking to give them fewer places to string their webs to), and 6ft fences (though there is some wind). It's a fairly small space so there's not much escape from them.

I'm thinking of setting some kind of trap.. and maybe planting lemon grass in pots (they congregate mostly around an old shed base where my apple trees live). Wondering if anyone has any tips? What works and what doesn't?

[burnie]

If you find a cure get down to the patent office straight away, it will make you a millionaire(you are now finding out why not many people live on the west side lol).

[SarrissUK]

Apparently there's an oil spray that's intended for your skin anyway, that midges really, really don't like. Avon sells it, but I can't remember the name of it
Other than that, the only tip I have is to not have any stagnant water anywhere.

[Snoop Puss]

^It's called Skin So Soft. Definitely works.

[chris_m]

^It's called Skin So Soft. Definitely works.

In my experience it works very well to stop them biting, but not so well to actually keep them away.

[burnie]

^It's called Skin So Soft. Definitely works.

The recipe has changed apparently and the new one is not so good, Smidge is another that works.

[elsie-scot]

The year after we moved here we removed some thick bushes by the back gate and a huge ivy bush covering the fence between next door. That definitely helped but it isn't going to stop them. Our biggest help is that it is windy most of the time being next to a loch.

Other advice is not to leave grass too long.

You can try planting plants like your lemon grass. We have lemon balm, marigolds, mint and lavender around where we sit and I brush across that to release the oil. Not sure it really helps but the smell is lovely.

[elsie-scot]

The recipe has changed apparently and the new one is not so good, Smidge is another that works.

Yep Smidge is what we use . Never found skin so soft did much.

[Small pumpkin]

Another vote for smidge.

[chris_m]

Smidge is another that works.

Glad to hear that, it means my money wasn't wasted.
I bought a can last time I was in Scotland - but no sooner had I bought it than the weather turned and all the midges disappeared so I haven't been able to test it at close range.

[Chrissyteacup]

Is smidge smelly? I’ve been getting eaten whilst gardening but reluctant to use deet based stuff as it stinks!
Our garden is full of them even the OH got bitten when we had a BBQ and he tends to avoid them as they prefare me! There’s so many he suggested a flamethrower 🤣

[elsie-scot]

Is smidge smelly? I’ve been getting eaten whilst gardening but reluctant to use deet based stuff as it stinks!
Our garden is full of them even the OH got bitten when we had a BBQ and he tends to avoid them as they prefare me! There’s so many he suggested a flamethrower ��

You can smell it when you put it on, but then I don't really notice it. Both DD and I are sensitive to strong smells and we can wear it fine.

[Small pumpkin]

Is smidge smelly? I’ve been getting eaten whilst gardening but reluctant to use deet based stuff as it stinks!
Our garden is full of them even the OH got bitten when we had a BBQ and he tends to avoid them as they prefare me! There’s so many he suggested a flamethrower ��

Smidge smells quite pleasant. Not over the top with perfume like skin so soft ( that makes you smell like a tarts handbag! whilst not working very well). Mozi-gard works well but that makes you smell like a chemical plant!

It's definitely midge time. I Got my first fat lip of the season ( I react quite badly to the little ****).

[Chrissyteacup]

Thankfully I don’t react as badly as that (although people do pay good money for swollen lips!!) but I have been bitten quite close to my eye which is irritating!

[veggiechicken]

The midges annoy me because they fly up my nose and into my eyes. Keep forgetting to spray the Avon stuff on and I'm not 100% sure it works.
Anyway, I've just ordered some Smidge £5.60 with free p&p on Eb@y from Blacks. By far the cheapest!
I'll stay indoors until it arrives later this week.