How to Avoid Midges

Midges may be tiny, but their bites can be an irritation, especially in areas like Scotland and Northern England where we have the best opportunities to spend time out in nature. The last thing we need is to be swarmed and bitten by midges. Understanding how to stop midge bites, what attracts them, and how to get rid of them will help you to enjoy your time outdoors without so much irritation. In this guide, we’ll tackle everything you need to know, including what attracts midges and how to keep midges away.

The best way to stop midge bites is to prevent them from getting to your skin in the first place. Learning from our advice on just this point alone will help in a big way. Here are a few essential tactics:

• Wear Protective Clothing: Long sleeves, trousers, and hats are invaluable in midge-prone regions. Often you’ll be out during the hotter months so go for clothing made from lightweight, breathable fabrics to stay comfortable. Or clothing designed to defend against insect bites like Nosidefence
• Wear Midge Repellent Clothing: You can compound your tactics by following the above, wearing long-sleeve tops and trousers with insect bite defence as well as insect repellent clothing. They’ll be repelled from attempting to bite, and if they’re persistent, they’ll have a hard time finding skin to bite.
• Install Midge Screens & Nets: When staying in a tent or cabin or any other close to nature lodgings, set up some midge-proof screens on windows, doors and openings. Similar to mosquitos, you can even set up a midge net around your sleeping bag or hammock if you’re expecting swarms.

There are two approaches on how to get rid of midges. First is preventative and second is reactive. If you can tackle both then you’ll be much less likely to suffer from bites:

• Eliminate Standing Water: Midges breed in still and stagnant water, so if you’re camping or staying in an area with still water for extended periods of time, make sure to avoid setting up camp near ponds, streams, or lakes. If you’re able to, remove any water sources from the vicinity. Be mindful of drains and items that can collect water like buckets.
• Create a Breeze: Midges are weak flyers and tend to avoid windy conditions. If you’ve ever hiked on a hot day you may notice that midges seem to disappear during a breeze. If you’re out and about, use a fan or sit in an area with a light breeze to keep them away. At night it might be effective to set up a fan with a light breeze over you to deter midges.
• Burn Midge Repellent Candles or Incense: Some citronella or other insect-repellent candles can help drive midges away, especially when used in enclosed outdoor spaces like patios or tents. Of course, be very careful with open flames around a campsite. What's worse than having a few midge bites is having your tent burn down.

If midges weren’t so numerous they’d be far easier to deal with. Though they are quite predictable. Midges are attracted to specific factors, and understanding these factors can help you further reduce the risk of being bitten:

• Carbon Dioxide: Like mosquitoes, midges are drawn to the carbon dioxide you exhale when breathing. This is part of the reason they tend to buzz around your face and head. The best counter to this is a breeze.
• Body Heat and Sweat: Midges are attracted to warmth and sweat, so you’re more likely to be bitten if you’re overheated or have been exerting yourself outdoors. You will put yourself at higher risk when rolling up your sleeves or taking off layers to cool down. Planning ahead by wearing lightweight, breathable or moisture-wicking layers is an excellent counter to this.

Midges are most active during the warmer months of the year, with their exact timing varying depending on the climate and location. Midges typically appear from late spring through to early autumn, with peak activity during the warmer and wetter, or more humid conditions. You may notice when we have hot sun, heavy rain and then more strong sunny weather there's a boom of midges. Especially in rural regions further into nature.

This makes summer evenings particularly challenging since midges thrive in these environments and situations. In Scotland, the midge season runs from May to September, with the worst swarms occurring in July and August, particularly in the evenings and early mornings. On the other hand, England's midge season is shorter and less intense, generally peaking from June to August, especially in rural, moist areas like the Lake District and parts of Northern England.

Midges are repelled by strong, pungent smells, which can be used to your advantage when trying to keep them at bay. Scents such as lavender, citronella, eucalyptus, tea tree oil, and lemon balm are known to repel midges. You can apply these oils to your skin, burn them in candles, or use lotions and repellents containing these ingredients for extra protection.

Midges may be small, but they can be a real nuisance during your hiking adventures. By taking precautions, like wearing protective clothing, using effective repellents, and understanding when and why midges are attracted to you, you can reduce your chances of getting bitten and enjoy the great outdoors without irritation.

Plan your trip to midge-prone areas carefully, and consider the tips above to ensure that midges don’t spoil your experience.

Though they’re less of a pest in Britain, mosquitoes can be as much of a nuisance as midges, and their bite is often worse. Read our guide on how to avoid mosquitoes for more information.