I'm ashamed to be posting this as I reckoned I would be fine and could manage with the annoyance, but I've had enough after today!
I seem to go several years (5+) where midges and other biting insects tend to keep away from me (tends to correlate with the time humans stay away from me as well!)...anyway, it appears the cycle has completed and I'm now getting bitten with a vengeance.
I do wear shorts, so got flesh on show but out today coaching and 6 other riders (only 3 not in shorts) and none of the others were getting bothered. My legs were all lumpy with bites and my inadvertent scratching.
I don't want to not wear shorts so what spray do I need to give in and buy? I've got Smidge in the house, but don't tend to use it as I don't tend to get bothered - is it really good or do folk think it is good as they've spent money on it?
Been like this for last 2 weeks (biking and trailbuilding - trailbuilding I'm wear trousers but arms, neck and ears get attacked) and I've now decided it is me that seems to be a prime target, so what can I spray to make me less prime?
I’ve got Smidge
So just use it.
Done a slight edit on that...Smidge is in the house but it isn't mine and I don't use it...I'll give it a try if it works - but does it?
Just get the Smidge on.
It's not perfect, but it is good.
Standing around, a midge net.
Ok, 2 people saying use the Smidge...I'll give it a squirt and hopefully reduce the target practice!
Get a wide brim hat with a long built in midge net round the edge. (With as many mesh covered vents in it as possible) and wear long sleeves and gloves.
Or get a large separate net which can be worn over a wide brimmed hat or helmet.
I’m also somewhat of a fine wine to midges and other biting insects. Never been convinced by Smidge but DEET usually works well.
If I need it I use tropical strength and work on the assumption that if it isn’t dissolving plastic items as I walk past them it’s not strong enough.
Well global warming is definitely having an impact on species evolution. The lakeland variety of biting ****s can now 'survive' in the full glare of the hot sun instead of being subdued by it til dusk. Can't even have breakfast outdoors now. Hateful blighters that they are. It hurts. Everywhere. 😢
Can't be that bad if you've waited two weeks to not try something you've got in the house anyway.
Deet melts clothing and is the equivalent of Agent Orange.
Smidge works a treat. For southern varieties (south of the border) skin so soft is fine.
Incidentally Smidge can also be used as a tick repellent.
I've a reasonable level of tolerance, however yesterday pushed over that level. It isn't quite Carron Valley levels 20 years ago where you were covered head to toe in them (thankfully), but they were all biting which is the difference for me this time.
Pretty sure Smidge has Deet in it.
Was that at Canada Woods on Saturday @DickBarton? Not a single bite or bothersome midge on me despite plenty (for me...) of skin on show.
No...Saturday was absolutely fine (and last night trailbuilding there, I had a single bite on my right forearm, but otherwise untouched - but I was dragging rocks out the ground and had a breeze, the bite was when I went into the trail with some rocks)...Sunday in Cambusbarron however was a completely different kettle of fish!
+1 for Smidge. Like you I tend not to get too bothered by midges but having helped out with the odd DofE overnight sometimes there is no escape and they go for anyone.
I'm a midge magnet and DEET is the only thing that keeps them off me.
Has smidge in the house, has been looking at it for two weeks, decides to post asking whether it works...
...riiiiiiight.
Nah, not been looking at it for 2 weeks...read it back, it isn't mine and I'm asking for stuff that works. Some have said Smidge does, so I'm getting myself some to try...however, last 2 nights out and I've only had 1 bite on my arm on Monday night, so hopefully they are finding more suitable targets again!
Who's is it? Couldn't you just say "do you mind if I try your smidge for my ride out"?
You don't have to drink the whole bottle you know.
But can you rub someone else's Smidge on your arse and bollox if you need a poo while Wild Camping™...?
It's an ethical minefield.