Mossies and midges

[lucjam]

Is insect repellent part of your kit?

Over the last couple of weeks I have noticed that that the bugs are out and they can be very distracting whilst observing.

So, don't laugh but my mum has been selling Avon for years and they have a product called Skin So Soft bath oil which apart from giving you soft skin (and who doesn't want that) is also a very good insect repellent. So good in fact that Mel Gibson and the entire crew of Bravehart had gallons of it shipped in when they were filming in the highlands of Scotland. Google it and you'll see what I mean.

Just thought i'd share that with you.

[jimmyjamjoejoe]

Funnily enough we used exactly the same stuff when living in rural spain. It really does work!

Not sure if it was the bath oil, think it was just moisturizing lotion, but either way, i remained bite free

[Daniel-K]

our last trip of the season to the dark site we were eaten alive my flying bugs it was torture until the temp dropped and they went away but they got the better of the part time astronomers who left cause of this and what they missed was one of the clearest skys of the year just a shame the nights were short. i hate them flying bugs wish i had known about so soft stuff before hand thanks for the tip

[x6gas]

Our garden also beset with flying, biting things. Got some quite nasty bites down both legs (though that was from cutting the grass, not from astronomy!)

Better give this Avon stuff a go... Reckon you should stick it in a different bottle, call it Lucjam's Astronomical Insect Repeller and get one of the astro shops to sell it at ten times the price!

[rowan46]

I know lots of people in the camping world use it. Reputedly the queen uses it at balmoral it didn't work for me though.

[Islander]

The best stuff is deet based. Jungle Formula is the brand that springs to mind and it's the only stuff I've ever found to be truly effective. Word of warning though, make sure you wash your hands after using it and before observing and keep any treated areas of skin away from optics and plastics - it's an aggressive solvent.

[LukeSkywatcher]

You could wear a citrus based aftershave. Mossies and other little biters hate citrus.

[Islander]

It's citronella rather than citrus - it works to a degree but midges still get past it.

[Charon]

I have used most things available and still get bit by mosquitos, then a friend of mine who has worked for years in the tropics suggested that I used a eucalyptus based spray, and bingo it WORKED.

[AndyH]

Whilst I cannot add to the list of repellents, I can only offer this............

The Midges

The Lord put the Garden of Eden on earth,

And it's north of the Tweed, we believe,

Ay, Scotland's the place, and the whole human race,

Started off with MacAdam and Eve!

In six days or under, he finished this wonder,

Except for the Forth and Tay Bridges,

Then always a bloke for a practical joke,

He made Scotland the home of the midges!

Chorus

The midges, the midges, I'm no gonnae kid ye's,

The midges is really the limit,

Wi teeth like pirhanas, they drive ye bananas,

If ye let them get under yer simmit!

Back in 1314, the proud Edward was keen,

To take Scotland into his care,

But he made a U-turn when he reached Bannockburn,

Just a few weeks before Glasgow Fair!

For the midges let loose by King Robert the Bruce,

Straight into the English they tore,

So they ran off in tears, and for six hundred years,

They've been blocking the A74!

Chorus

The midges, the midges, I'm no gonnae kid ye's,

The midges is really the limit,

Wi teeth like pirhanas, they drive ye bananas,

If ye let them get under yer simmit!

Now never forget, when the sun's going to set,

And the midges arise on Loch Eck,

Like the vampires you see, played by Christopher Lee,

They will give you a pain in the neck!

You can smack them and whack them; in vain you'll attack them,

For they know every move that you make,

If you manage to kill yin, another half million,

Are ready tae come tae the wake!

Chorus

The midges, the midges, I'm no gonnae kid ye's,

The midges is really the limit,

Wi teeth like pirhanas, they drive ye bananas,

If ye let them get under yer simmit!

Now Torquil the piper's a giant of a man,

With a sporran as long as your arm,

And in Oban he's known, for the sound of his drone,

And a pibroch of real highland charm!

But they're sighing and sobbing, the ladies of Oban,

For Torquil is not what he was,

Since a midge in Glenbranter got hold of his chanter,

And carried it off in its jaws!

Chorus

The midges, the midges, I'm no gonnae kid ye's,

The midges is really the limit,

Wi teeth like pirhanas, they drive ye bananas,

If ye let them get under yer simmit!

Author unknown.

Andy.