Latest news with #ScottishMidgeForecast
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Daily Record
Avoid Scottish midge bites this summer with these 10 hiking and camping tips
From wearing bright clothes to avoiding still water, here's how you can dodge the pesky creatures. There are many things to love about summer in Scotland, from the music festivals to the evenings spent in beer gardens under the late night sun. However, one thing about the season that is decidedly less popular is the midges. Midges are tiny flying insects found in Scotland that are infamous for their itchy bites. They are most common between May and October, with the peak season being the height of summer. But you shouldn't let midges put you off a hike or a camping trip this summer and there are many things you can and should do to minimise your risk of getting bitten. The Daily Record has put together a list of tips to keep midges at bay over the coming weeks. From wearing bright clothes to avoiding still water, these should hopefully help you make most of the Scottish summer. Read on for 10 tips to avoid midges in Scotland this summer. 1. Take advantage of windy and dry weather Midges are not fond of dry or windy weather, and you can use this to your advantage. If you can, try and head out on a hike when conditions are sunny and at least a little bit blustery if you don't want to get bitten. 2. Stay away at dawn and dusk While there is unfortunately no time of day that you will be completely safe from midges, certain times are definitely worse than others. The insects are particularly active around dusk and dawn, which means you might want to avoid early-morning hikes and leaving your tent around sunset if you're camping. 3. Enjoy a barbecue If you are planning to enjoy some al fresco dining this summer, there is nothing that can ruin the atmosphere like being swarmed with midges. That is why a barbecue is a good choice, since the smoke will hopefully help keep them at bay. 4. Put on bright clothes In general, midges are more drawn to dark colours and dislike light ones. Therefore, putting on some bright and colourful clothes can help avoid bites when out and about. 5. Utilise the the Midge Forecast As reported by the Daily Record, repellent company Smidge has put together a Scottish Midge Forecast. This regularly updated interactive map shows where in Scotland midges are the worst at a given time—which will help you choose a hiking spot with less of the blood suckers. 6. Put on repellent Unsurprisingly, putting on midge repellent is probably the most effective method of keeping midges at bay. There are a number of different brands available, so you might have to experiment and find out which one is the best for you. 7. Keep moving When out hiking, you will no doubt want to stop and admire the scenery—but unfortunately this is not a good idea if you want to avoid bites. Midges can't fly fast, and so if you are constantly moving they won't be able to keep up. 8. Use a head net If you really want to ensure you aren't bothered by midges when out hiking or camping, you might want to invest in a head net. These protect the head, face, and neck from various flying insects—though you will still need to think about your arms and legs. 9. Avoid still water Midges love water and marshy conditions, since this is where they tend to breed. That means hanging around lochs and ponds is a big no-no if you are looking to keep your distance from the blood suckers. 10. Keep to the coastline Finally, Scots wanting to minimise their chances of midge bites may want to simply stay away from the west of the Highlands where they are most common. You won't avoid them completely by the seaside, but they won't be quite as bad.
Daily Record
18-06-2025
- Climate
- Daily Record
Midges will stay away if you use these type of lights in the garden this summer
The dreaded midge is a blight on warmer nights in Scotland. But a simple tip can keep them away from your outdoor space We've all been there. Trying to relax or entertain in the garden on a warm summer's evening only to be eaten alive by the notorious midge who seem set on destroying any outdoor fun at this time of year. These pesky critters are most active between May and September but can ramp up their assault on the population in July and August. It means enjoying an evening in the garden can be problematic for householders as they swarm and bite. Our damper climate and long summer evenings are the perfect playground for midges which are prevalent across the west coast and in the Highlands. The Scottish Midge Forecast shows there are currently high levels of midge around the Glencoe are of the country with Fort William also seeing large numbers. But there is plenty of time and good weather on the horizon to allow them to do their worst. Experts are now recommending that installing a certain type of light in gardens could be the answer to keeping them at bay. Unlike mosquitoes, midge bites are not dangerous but most Scots have tried various ways to keep the pesky pests, the most infamous being the Highland Midge, at bay. They are most active at dawn and again at dusk and particularly when the weather is still and humid. Attracted to carbon dioxide, body heat and sweat, they gather in large swarms around people and animals. Jon Saeed, managing director of Lighting Legends, said the choice of lighting in your garden is key. Cooler white or blue lights will attract midges more than warmer yellow or orange tones. Switching to garden lighting with a colour temperature between 2,200K and 2,700K can help reduce their presence. Jon said: 'Swarming midges are a summer reality for many families across Scotland, particularly in rural and lochside areas where damp conditions are common. 'These tiny insects are most active during the cooler hours of early morning and evening, often arriving in thick swarms that can quickly spoil outdoor gatherings and make enjoying the garden a challenge. 'Simple changes can make a big difference. Choosing warm-toned lighting with a lower colour temperature - around 2,200K to 2,700K - helps reduce the attraction of midges to outdoor spaces. 'Practical steps such as keeping the garden tidy and creating gentle airflow with fans can also significantly improve comfort during those peak midge times.' And he has highlighted seven other ways to reduce a midge invasion in your garden this summer. Seven ways to deter the dreaded midge from your garden 1. Reduce damp soil and vegetation Unlike mosquitoes, midges lay eggs in damp soil and decaying plant matter rather than standing water. Keeping garden beds tidy, improving drainage, and removing leaf litter, mossy patches, or rotting vegetation can help disrupt breeding grounds and make the area less appealing to swarms. 2. Set up fans or choose breezy areas Midges are weak fliers and avoid even light wind. Setting up garden fans or seating areas in naturally breezy spots can provide an effective barrier, especially during peak midge times in the early morning and evening. 3. Wear insect-repellent treated clothing and use topical repellents For areas with high midge activity, wearing long sleeves and trousers treated with insect repellent can help prevent bites. DEET-based sprays are commonly recommended, but natural alternatives like citronella or lemon eucalyptus can also offer protection when reapplied regularly. 4. Avoid outdoor activities at dawn and dusk Midges are most active at sunrise and sunset, when conditions are cool and still. Where possible, avoid sitting out during these peak hours and plan garden activities for midday, when midge numbers tend to drop. 5. Maintain garden hygiene Overgrown areas and piles of damp leaves, grass cuttings or mulch create perfect conditions for midges. Regularly mowing lawns, trimming back bushes, and keeping the garden clear of organic debris helps reduce suitable habitats and limits breeding spots. 6. Encourage natural predators Birds, bats, and dragonflies feed on midges and can provide natural population control. Installing bird feeders, bat boxes, and small water features encourages these helpful species to visit and stay in the garden. 7. Consider mosquito and midge traps Some electric traps emit carbon dioxide and warmth to mimic human scent and body heat, attracting and killing midges. While results can vary depending on placement and model, they can be a useful addition for gardens in high-risk areas.
Daily Record
17-06-2025
- Daily Record
The Scottish 'midge map' that shows insect forecast across country this summer
Some places in Scotland are worse for midges than others. A map shows where in Scotland people are most likely to be swarmed by midges. With summer kicking off, the peak of midge season is just beginning. Midges are small flying insects, usually with a wingspan of between just two and three millimetres, that are found in Scotland. There are dozens of different species of midge in the country, but the Highland Midge is the most infamous. Peak midge season is usually considered to be between June and August, though can be anywhere between April and October. Without repellent and protective clothing, midges can easily ruin a hike or camping trip. To help Scots and tourists avoid nasty bites, midge repellent specialists Smidge have devised The Scottish Midge Forecast. The forecast is a regularly updated interactive map that shows where in Scotland there are the greatest number of midges. The Scottish Midge Forecast uses a five-step scale. A rating of 'one' for a location means visitors are unlikely to be disturbed by the flying insects there, whereas a rating of 'five' means there is a high number of midges in the area. The forecast is made using information recorded from specialised biting midge traps and small weather stations. The data is then combined with weather forecast reports to give an overall picture of midge levels across the country. On Tuesday, June 17, The Scottish Midge Forecast reports a midge rating of four around Glencoe. This means that those heading to the iconic Scottish beauty spot will need to prepare in order to avoid nasty bites. Elsewhere, nearby Fort William reports a rating of three. With the town known as a gateway to the Highlands, and being a popular day-trip destination, holidaymakers will need to be careful of midges over the coming days. On the other hand, the stations around the Cairngorms National Park show a midge rating of just one. Therefore, hikes around Braemar and Aviemore should currently be safe from midges. In general, midges are most common in the western Highlands and islands. The insects especially like damp, sheltered, and boggy areas, while they dislike windy and sunny conditions. In addition to wearing midge repellent, there are a number of other steps people can take to minimise their risk of getting bitten. Wearing white or bright coloured clothing, long sleeves, and a head net can help protect against bites. Another thing you can do to reduce your chances of being bothered by midges is to avoid walking around during times when they are most active. The insects particularly like low-light conditions, which means you should stay away from dawn and dusk hikes if possible. The Smidge website states: "The Scottish Midge Forecast is created using data collected from biting midge traps and mini-weather stations across Scotland. "This is extended using weather forecast data, giving you a big picture view of midge levels across Scotland throughout the season."
