Advice on best mosquito and midge protection

[CaliKate]

I’d be grateful of any advice on the best way to protect our California T5 and the occupants from the pesky little midges and mossies of Scotland In August.
The door screens seem a tad expensive.
Thanks all.

 

[Defender90]

I’d be grateful of any advice on the best way to protect our California T5 and the occupants from the pesky little midges and mossies of Scotland In August.
The door screens seem a tad expensive.
Thanks all.

No real 100% fix for Scottish midge
They are a problem when it’s still early morning and evening but the slightest breeze they are gone so a small fan works well as does Avon soft for your skin also we have a thermacell it keeps flys midge etc away great bit of kit expensive but good.
Also the gerba midge screen are good designed for Scotland I have two which are great if you need to cook in the fan late evening or early morning.

 

[Defender90]

No real 100% fix for Scottish midge
They are a problem when it’s still early morning and evening but the slightest breeze they are gone so a small fan works well as does Avon soft for your skin also we have a thermacell it keeps flys midge etc away great bit of kit expensive but good.
Also the gerba midge screen are good designed for Scotland I have two which are great if you need to cook in the fan late evening or early morning.

Sorry jerba nets

 

[CaliKate]

No real 100% fix for Scottish midge
They are a problem when it’s still early morning and evening but the slightest breeze they are gone so a small fan works well as does Avon soft for your skin also we have a thermacell it keeps flys midge etc away great bit of kit expensive but good.
Also the gerba midge screen are good designed for Scotland I have two which are great if you need to cook in the fan late evening or early morning.

Thank you for those top tips Defender90

 

[David Eccles]

invest in head nets makes walking outside possible!

 

[Annie Camping]

We cut a midge resistant fly screen door off a tent that we could no longer get waterproof and attach it over the open sliding door if we want to reduce the amount of mosquitoes or midges in the van. Not tried in peak midge season, but better than nothing for sure.

 

[KevH]

There is a guy on YouTube who shows how to make a midge screen for the sliding door. We took inspiration and my wife ran one up with a centre zip and magnetic fixing for under £30.
Google midge net (not mozzie net).
I’ll look back to find who the guy is and who we got our net from, away camping at mo so can’t promise a speedy update here.
Don’t forget the air vents in the pop top are not midge proof, but can be made so using opened paper clips and Tesco netted veg bags (30p) if caught out on the road, as we were this week.

 

[KevH]

There is a guy on YouTube who shows how to make a midge screen for the sliding door. We took inspiration and my wife ran one up with a centre zip and magnetic fixing for under £30.
Google midge net (not mozzie net).
I’ll look back to find who the guy is and who we got our net from, away camping at mo so can’t promise a speedy update here.
Don’t forget the air vents in the pop top are not midge proof, but can be made so using opened paper clips and Tesco netted veg bags (30p) if caught out on the road, as we were this week.

 

[majorbooboo]

Aah the midges. We found they come through the fly screens, through the awning mosquito nets and (to our horror) though the cabin air vents. We’ve purchased midge netting which we’ve stuck to the fly screens with double sided tape, stitched to the awning mosquito nets, and we make sure the air vents are closed. Good luck !

 

[ejmoore]

My advice is, don't go to the west of Scotland after May, and try to find a windy campsite.

 

[BeeBee]

We have been using ‘The Smokin Midge’, it’s been pretty effective on several trips ( and we live in Scotland )
Initially developed for anglers, hence the attached arm band, but we just place it on the ground or the table as we sit outside of an evening. We do also have a ‘Zap light’ and head nets if it gets ‘thick enough to ‘cut them with a knife’ …. that’s the Scottish midge for you . lol
The Smokin Midge

 

[Neilgbj]

Avon oil….

 

[Barry Chuckle]

For those that subscribe to Which? they're reviewing mosquito repellents this month

 

[kurienp]

Avon oil….

Most effective. Ever since I bought 2 bottles, I've never been anywhere near Scotland or other midge infested places for over 2 years.

PS: hope the oil has an expiry date. Been planning a trip to the west coast for a long time and now need to make it happen.

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[KevH]

Aah the midges. We found they come through the fly screens, through the awning mosquito nets and (to our horror) though the cabin air vents. We’ve purchased midge netting which we’ve stuck to the fly screens with double sided tape, stitched to the awning mosquito nets, and we make sure the air vents are closed. Good luck !

Never knowingly had the little buggers come through the cabin vents but at least the vents can be easily shut.
Thanks for the warning

 

[KevH]

My advice is, don't go to the west of Scotland after May, and try to find a windy campsite.

Sadly I tend to agree but only if you are prone to being eaten alive by them.
My better half hates them but isn’t a food source as I am so we DO go after May but we defend ourselves as best we can.
Getting the right weather conditions is, I agree, crucial. A breeze is our best friend north of the border.

 

[TW8 GrandCali]

We used Smidge last year no bites on all four of us but we have fitted nets on our GC but Smidge and head net( which took a bit of getting used to) worked for us and stick to the coast if poss-the breeze/wind is a repellent in its self
By the way have a fantastic time we did!

 

[dspuk]

I am litteraly food to any flying biting creepies so avoid areas like this like the plague. We did the NC500 in April because of this and it was the perfect time of year. Best advice we can give, if you are prone, is don't go and pick an earlier or later time of year.

 

[CaliKate]

We used Smidge last year no bites on all four of us but we have fitted nets on our GC but Smidge and head net( which took a bit of getting used to) worked for us and stick to the coast if poss-the breeze/wind is a repellent in its self
By the way have a fantastic time we did!

Thank you

 

[derek_j_buchanan]

I’d be grateful of any advice on the best way to protect our California T5 and the occupants from the pesky little midges and mossies of Scotland In August.
The door screens seem a tad expensive.
Thanks all.

They are not mozzies in Scotland which is why the mesh in the windows and bellows isn’t fine enough. Get some midge netting and make up a couple of covers for the vents in the bellows. Keep the sides and fronts closed. For the side door make a curtain just stick on with Velcro or double sided tape. Keep other doors closed. Believe it or not they can also come in through the vents so close them. Park where there is a chance of more breeze, wear repellent. Candles are risky but with care can be used you get midge ones in a tin and I find just opening the tin helps (you don’t need to lite it. Oh and finally take someone who tastes better.

 

[derek_j_buchanan]

Never knowingly had the little buggers come through the cabin vents but at least the vents can be easily shut.
Thanks for the warning

I have! Close them!!

 

[CaliKate]

invest in head nets makes walking outside possible!

Thank you - I’ve just bought some

 

[CaliKate]

We cut a midge resistant fly screen door off a tent that we could no longer get waterproof and attach it over the open sliding door if we want to reduce the amount of mosquitoes or midges in the van. Not tried in peak midge season, but better than nothing for sure.

That’s a great idea - I’m sure we have an old tent somewhere

 

[CaliKate]

There is a guy on YouTube who shows how to make a midge screen for the sliding door. We took inspiration and my wife ran one up with a centre zip and magnetic fixing for under £30.
Google midge net (not mozzie net).
I’ll look back to find who the guy is and who we got our net from, away camping at mo so can’t promise a speedy update here.
Don’t forget the air vents in the pop top are not midge proof, but can be made so using opened paper clips and Tesco netted veg bags (30p) if caught out on the road, as we were this week.

Thank you

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

Go to IKEA and buy a couple of tea light lanterns and then visit amazon and buy a pack of 100 citronella tealights, they burn for approx 4 hours each, we hang one in the roof and it keeps the little biters away. Also buy some Avon Skin So Soft, the forestry commission swear by it.
If you like marmite, have it on your toast every morning and stay away from Arrochar. I have got the head nets but haven't needed them yet.