Midges

[davidg4183]

Do people have any good tricks on how to avoid these unwanted friends from entering the van? Whilst there are plenty of good repellants on the market, the blighters will still find a way inside resulting in lots of brown marks as they are squished (and red marks on me!)

The side mesh panels on the roof will provide easy access, so will have to stay closed during any windless days in the "Scottish summer" :cry: Although I vaguely recall hearing about replacement finer mesh panels???

 

[John]

David have you seen the Brandup mossy nets that are designed for the Cali.

We have the Brandup Brochure on our Downloads Page.

Best of luck with the little blighter's. :roll:

John

 

[Bismarck]

Hi David

Did you find a solution? Just been up to Scotland and we had a couple of armageddon nights. Despite keeping everything shut they were getting in by the small meshed vents in the very top of the roof. The mesh isnt fine enough so they sneak in there.

Soooooooooooo has anyone seen/invented a means to get over this? we used electrical insulating tape over the vents which worked like fly paper but like Zulus there is too many of them!!!!

Cheers

Ian.

 

[vwanorak]

I have it on good authority that the Brandrup nets, whilst being great for Mozzies, are not fine enough for Midges.

A fellow Cali owner that camps up on the west coast a lot recomended a mesh that is frequently available in Aldi of all places, as part of their seasonal camping offer?? You need to find a way of fixing it over the existing mesh that suits you best I guess.

Andy

 

[CPO77]

YIp, I use the Brandup 'Flyout' for the sliding door - its the same size mesh as the screens on the sliding windows and on the bellows - its great for stopping mozzies and other flying insects but would say its too big for the dreaded midge - they can squeeze in anywhere!

 

[KernowLad]

 

[Stu]

How ironic the first thread I see is this. For some reason they and mozzies like the taste of me and I'm always on the menu, what makes it worse is I seem to react quite badly to the bites. I wouldn't mind so much if they wanted a little bit of lunch but to leave the itching is just taking the wee wee.

I was bitten a few times yesterday and then today I've had one bite and I can hear one keeping doing a flypast and readying himself for a meal at my expense.

 

[Linda]

Midges will find a way in anywhere so maybe use a reppellent. Apparently the SAS use Avon ' skin so soft(original)' to scare them off !!! Available in many campsite shops or your friendly local Avon rep

 

[Bismarck]

Cheers for the replies. A lot of people have told me about the von stuff so gonna get some. Managed to find Midge mesh on Amazon so will give it a go too especially around the bellow vent thingy's.

 

[Canary Bird]

Has anyone attached/sown fine midge netting to the edges of their Brandup insect netting? We have Brandup netting for side sliding windows, back door and sliding door. I was going to buy midge net (https://www.profabrics.co.uk/products/insect-midge-net-fine?variant=6809889027) and sow it to the pop up screen windows ... and add it to our Brandup screens, but just wanted to ask if any have done it to their Brandup screens already to get any tips ... and save me some headaches.

 

[barry]

Midges will find a way in anywhere so maybe use a reppellent. Apparently the SAS use Avon ' skin so soft(original)' to scare them off !!! Available in many campsite shops or your friendly local Avon rep

No they don't. It is very smellable downwind by dogs and a very wide range of 'enemies'.

 

[barry]

We get up the highlands, west coast and islands a lot.
We've found skin so soft does indeed work but is diluted by sweat very quickly and runs off.
It's no coincidence we always camp at very windy places, it just occurs to me.

 

[johnv]

would spraying the mesh with repellent work?

 

[JohnnyP]

Do people have any good tricks on how to avoid these unwanted friends from entering the van? Whilst there are plenty of good repellants on the market, the blighters will still find a way inside resulting in lots of brown marks as they are squished (and red marks on me!)

The side mesh panels on the roof will provide easy access, so will have to stay closed during any windless days in the "Scottish summer" :cry: Although I vaguely recall hearing about replacement finer mesh panels???

I have tried Avon skin so soft and it is ok but now I will not cross the border without a plentiful supply of "Smidge"
It is non deet so it wont melt waterproof jackets or anything else and is less likely to cause irritation on skin.
Skin repellent is not enough on its own on a campsite, at least a two pronged attack is needed so we use mosquito coils aswell. We also camp on coastal sites not only for the views and proximity to a beach but with the expectation of a welcome breeze to help keep the little blighters at bay.

We also used home made midge out screens but I have also thought about sewing midge proof material onto brandrup flyout screens which should be more effective as they have a better fit than our home made constructions.

 

[WelshGas]

Within the California I use this plugged into the Inverter Socket. Kept the California insect free in Scotland, Scandinavia and Europe. If the windows are open I fit the flyscreens in South Europe but have no nets for doors etc and don't keep them closed. Just leave this on.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000WZO0EA/?tag=unique09f-21

 

[ArunAlec]

I have tried Avon skin so soft and it is ok but now I will not cross the border without a plentiful supply of "Smidge"
It is non deet so it wont melt waterproof jackets or anything else and is less likely to cause irritation on skin.
Skin repellent is not enough on its own on a campsite, at least a two pronged attack is needed so we use mosquito coils aswell. We also camp on coastal sites not only for the views and proximity to a beach but with the expectation of a welcome breeze to help keep the little blighters at bay.

We also used home made midge out screens but I have also thought about sewing midge proof material onto brandrup flyout screens which should be more effective as they have a better fit than our home made constructions.

Agree about deet.... Melted my biro!

 

[Bilbo]

Just ordered one of these - midgescreen that is!
https://www.jerbacampervans.co.uk

 

[Meoncoast]

Agree about deet.... Melted my biro!

melted a hole through our glove box on our Subaru !!