Midges !!

Now, I don't know about you, but around here this word, synonymous with purgatory, is pronounced mid-jee, or mid-jees for the more usual state that midges are found, i.e. plural. Some might think that this page is inappropriate since Northumberland cannot lay claim to being the worst place on earth to be savaged by midges but we do have areas where they are significant problem for the visitor; try Kielder to experience the worst-case scenario ;-) But wherever you travel I hope there is some information on this page that can lessen the impact that these infernal critters can have on anyone's life. If you want to read a little bit more about the general biology of the midge the please | take this link |.

A snippet from History

On 10th December 1902 Major Ronald Ross, a doctor in the British Army, won the Nobel Prize for medicine for his discovery that malaria is transmitted by the bite of the female mosquito.

Midges and mosquitoes the world over; different species of the same creature... that insect set upon this earth whose sole purpose in life would seem to be to ruin leisure time; be that holiday or an evening in the County. This page is dedicated to all those who would seem to suffer for everyone around them when midges are about !!

Contents:	The Persecution Complex Why me? What can I do about it? Avoidance Physical Barriers Chemical Barriers After-bite soothing Concerns Further Information Useful further contacts
	Biology If you would like to read a little more about the general biology of the midge then follow \| this link \| to the page titled "Midge Biology: A Few Rambling Thoughts" written for us by Dr. Ali. Blackwell at Dundee Univ..

Persecution	As the song goes "The female of the species is more deadly than the male..."
	So what's it all about, why is the midge so vindictive toward us poor hoomans?? Put simply the midge, or mosquito if you're in those parts of the world, bites humans simply because it needs our blood to make eggs and as such it is only the adult female that troubles us; capable of laying up to 200 eggs every three days and requiring a full tank each time.
The question of why midges and mosquitoes seem attracted to one person in preference to another continues to puzzle entomologists	These biting insects are initially attracted to a cocktail of chemicals we each exude.
	This chemical plume can be sensed at least 400m downwind of a potential host.
	The odour plume itself consists of chemicals found in our breath and metabolic by-products exuded in our sweat.
	At close range the midge homes in on the sweat components, principally carbon dioxide and lactic acid, made even more attractive of the host's skin is warm - convection currents are set up around the body carrying these chemicals away from the body.

	Individuals' (immune system) response might give the impression that one person is being bitten whilst a companion is not.
	Midges inject their saliva into their bite, via the hypopharynx, it contains an anticoagulant and something to cause the surrounding area to swell; the histamine response.
	Histamine is a naturally occurring chemical in our bodies and is used to promote local dilation of blood vessels to allow more blood (and cells of the immune system) into the area local to infection. (Which is why anti-histamines are useful in easing the irritation associated with midge bites.)
	Individual people can react very differently to midge and mosquito saliva and it is those who react more violently to these chemicals that seem to have "a problem", i.e. partners or companions who do not seem to be bothered by midges are probably still being bitten but their immune system does not react so violently to the chemicals in the bite.

Prevention and Cure	Please note that wherever chemical treatments such as repellents or self-treatment regimes available from the pharmacy are mentioned here these recommendations are anecdotal only and no liability, expressed or implied, is accepted.
1. Avoidance	The easiest means of avoiding the consequences of midge or mosquito attack is to avoid going where they're found in the first place. But then again who would want to live the life of a hermit... especially in our sport? So this option is not one that most of us would want to follow.
	However take this a stage further and its not so daft... it is well known that midges abound at dusk and dawn. So it would be a reasonable to consider getting away from the hills by this time to avoid the midges.
	Another means of "avoidance" is to be aware of the prevailing winds; midges can't handle much of a breeze so if its at all blowy then you can be confident you'll be spared! But be aware of where you stop for your bait.
2. Physical Barriers	Clothing, plain and simple. the more you cover-up the less likelihood of you being bitten. Great for those warm summer evenings; your own portable sauna!!
	If you are camping then "no see-um" netting has been a de rigeur component of good quality tents for some years now. Once ensconced in your tent you can set about eliminating those few midges that got in at the time you dove into your tent.
	If you're staying in an hotel, either home or abroad, and there's a likelihood of night-time attacks then mosquito nets are much more widely available for you to take with you and erect yourself.
3.a Chemical Barriers, Repellents for topical application	Most commercially available repellents use diethyltoluamide, referred to as DEET.
	They are available in spray, liquid and roll-on-ball (dispenser) form.
	The proportion of DEET in these products varies; from 10% - 100%. (The 100% products are recommended for application to clothing). It has been said that there is no improvement in benefit in using concentrations above 75%, but I don;t know the facts of this.
	Some brands available are : "Neet Deet", "Autan" and "Jungle Formula". My personal preference is for Jungle Formula, know popularly as "Jungle Juice". Autan is only 10% DEET and is NBG when faced with a real, country living midge ;-) Neet Deet is a 100% product and recommends itself for application to clothing, although DEET is quite a noxious substance so it would be prudent to avoid this if possible.
3b. Chemical Barriers, Repellents for topical application - natural products	If your preference is for products which are more naturally sourced then there are a few alternatives available. Though it is likely that these are less effective at deterring a concerted attack from the more determined blighters.
	It has also been mentioned in uk.rec.climbing that Bog Myrtle, a plant native to the UK has insect repellent properties. Presumably the application is to crush the plant onto exposed areas of skin. I think the majority of us would have (much) greater difficulty identifying the plant in the wild than actually working out how to apply it. An insect repellent based on the Bog Myrtle is available (in the UK), its brand name is Calandish Myrica. For further information e-mail Dr. Alison Blackwell.
	Lemon eucalyptus oil and MASTA's Mosiguard Natural range are also available.
4. Chemical Barriers, Repellents for disperse use.	"Moon Tiger" mosquito coils are the most widely known. Consisting of a compacted spiral "stick" which, when lit, gives a slow-release of an insecticidal smoke. Effective, if you can tolerate the not-unpleasant smell, and useful for keeping the area under a flysheet free from midges while you're down the pub.
	Electric mosquito killers are also available. These work by heating up a tablet or liquid/gel reservoir containing an insecticide, usually bio-allethrin. These are a tad difficult to use in a tent.
5. After-bite products	As mentioned before some people react more than others to a midge bite, so if you are one of these folk then you may find some extra solace here.
	Topical products (applied onto the skin) usually act locally to reduce itching.
	Because of the involvement of histamine in the promotion of local swelling it is reasonable to use anti-histamine tablets if you have a severe reaction to midge bites. These are readily available from retail pharmacies and I would give two recommendations; avoid Triludan (an old product) and look for Zirtek � (IMHO the best of the newer antihistamines). BUT ask the Pharmacist for his advice BEFORE you choose.

6. Anecdotal Warnings and Concerns	Caveat = content is anecdotal !
DEET "eats" clothing	It has been said that DEET "eats" outdoor clothing, but since some products are actually recommended for application onto clothing, problems are probably to do with particular makes/brands.... That said, DEET is a noxious compound. I dunno. All I can say is that I've not had any problems (with Jungle Formula), but then again some folk have.... you pays your money...
Absorption through the skin	DEET is absorbed through the skin (as is just about everything you put on your epidermis) and is said to be excreted unchanged in urine some time later.(ref. #1)
	It has been reported that DEET, even at low concentrations, perhaps because of its absorption through the skin can lead to behavioural abnormalities (#1). This is likely to be an expression of individual sensitivity to the compound. Have a word with your Pharmacist, he'll recommend another repellent for you.

Useful Further Contacts	"Biting Insects And How To Avoid Getting Bitten", is a premium-rate telephone helpline provided by The Public Health Advisory Service. Its available on 0891 600 270 (UK only; 1997).
	Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) [UK] 0171 631 4408
	Ref. #1. Midges in Scotland, George Hendry, ISBN 1873644 612

Midges !!

Contents:

Persecution

Prevention and Cure

1. Avoidance

2. Physical Barriers

3.a Chemical Barriers, Repellents for topical application

3b. Chemical Barriers, Repellents for topical application - natural products

4. Chemical Barriers, Repellents for disperse use.

5. After-bite products

6. Anecdotal Warnings and Concerns

Useful Further Contacts

3.a Chemical Barriers, Repellents
for topical application

3b. Chemical Barriers, Repellents
for topical application - natural products

4. Chemical Barriers, Repellents
for disperse use.