avoiding midge season

J2Spring · Member

avoiding midge season

youngka · Guru

Hello J2Spring, Sorry, but what are midges? blankstare

I am assuming they are insects, but what do they come close to for comparison? You will really enjoy this site, so many good questions/answers/ideas and write ups when they return
Have a nice time when you get to Ireland -- know you will. I have been in Oct./March and June only, but never heard of midges......thx youngka

oceanblue · Veteran Member

Hi Youngka and J2Spring

I had never heard of Midges either, my first trip was mid to end of July and I leave a week from today so thought I would look it up. Here is what I found:

Occasionally during April, May, and June, homeowners become alarmed by large swarms of gnat-like insects sometimes confused with mosquitoes. These non-biting midges are found near lakes, ponds or streams and may "dance" in swarms over the water, inciting fish to jump. Most occur in huge swarms or small compact mating swarms, and a "humming" can be heard over a considerable distance. After sunset, adults become active and fly to night-lights, entering structures through the slightest of openings. Piles of eight to twelve inches of dead midges may accumulate in unwanted places. A stench similar to dead fish may be observed. There are also biting midges, which are very tiny insects (sometimes called "no-see-ums"), that suck blood from humans, mammals, reptiles, and other insects. Bites can cause itching and, in sensitive individuals, welts and lesions that can persist for several days.

I found some good natural bug repellent to take with me. I have never heard this mentioned before but glad to know so I can be prepared.

I bet Bit might know something about this as she climbs a lot of trails and rides horses and is in fields taking photographs. I don't recall any problems my first time around but has been a long time ago and it was July

Have a great Day
Barbara P

youngka · Guru

Barbara P THANKS for looking it up, don't know why I didn't think of that! youngka
That's right, Bit is mostly"off the main roads , so I am sure she knows.....

J2Spring · Member

Hi youngka & oceanblue,

Appreciate your replys. I have experienced midges first hand. When they first hatched that last day in Connemara, I wasn't sure what they were. The woman at the reception desk at our hotel advised us to be very careful as they "go right for the eyes." She wasn't kidding. Worse than mosquitos.

So to get back to my original inquiry to Michele or Bit or any others who enjoy the lakes, mountains, & countryside -- aside from the cities & towns, is there a part of Ireland that experiences fewer midges? (Was hoping to get up to Donegal, but open to suggestions if you have any.) I'd hate to have to postpose our summer trip, but will consider waiting til Fall if I have to (sure would hate to, tho).

Thanks again to all of you.

J2Spring

CowboyCraic · Guru

I wish I could tell you that there is a place in Ireland without midges. I have learned to not pay them much attention and to use repellent wipes or skin-so-soft spray. You will encounter them less along the coast than inland. You will find most swarms in the evening at twilight.

The only midges which bite are the pregnant females, which isn't going to help, as you couldn't tell one from the other. I just find it an interesting fact. They like warmth, damp and sun. They don't like wind. Anything over a breeze will disperse them. The thing about midges is that even though their bite is itchy and irritating, Irish midges carry no diseases.

I have much more issue with the ticks that one will encounter when hiking through the tall grasses. They are very small and its hard to feel them on you. I always do a thorough inspection of my legs and such after a photographic foray into the cemeteries and along the cliffs.

Midges and ticks are just part of the package when going off the beaten track for the perfect shot.

You now know more about midges than I am sure you wanted to know. Midges like Mosquitos cannot be avoided. That is no reason to postpone your trip. Go and enjoy the wilds of Donegal.

Slan Beo, Bit

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I have never really had a problem with them, in either Cork or Kerry and the few, brief days spent in Donegal ( in '07) and Galway and Mayo in '08, didn't cause any problems either...

But, I HAVE heard horror stories ... confuse confuse furious confuse confuse

Bob

Green Dragon · Guru

We first encountered midges in Scotland on the Isle of Skye. They descended on us like a hungry horde, and sent us scurrying to the car :) However, I've heard that Skin So Soft is the best defense against them. They are smaller than mosquitoes, so netting is useless, but they bite more painfully. And they swarm, which means you get lots of bites.

Wind sends them away, as Cowboy said. The next time we were in Skye, there were no problems as it was very windy.

yesiree · Guru

Ugh the midges. They're so tiny, but so annoying. One rarely notices them until they start nibbling along one's hair line or wrists and ankles. Bites hurt when the insect is active on your skin, but I haven't noticed long-term discomfort... so they don't itch for days afterward like mosquito bites (not sure if different people react differently).

The good news is that they are usually only out at dusk on still days, so you don't have to worry about them eating you alive day in and day out.

If you're there at a time when the midges are around, don't be far from the car or indoors when the light starts getting low.

That said, it's really a matter of timing. The midges might join you on your holiday, or they might not.

As mentioned, windy spots are best for avoiding them.

youngka · Guru

Everyone: This sure helped me also -- thanks! Skin so Soft is a big winner; however, if anyone is highly allergic to perfumes, dish soap, power, etc. Skin so Soft is not a good thing. So go easy on it. It put me down for a day so I learned quick! youngka

CowboyCraic · Guru

KAren, Mo chara,

Avon offers a Skin-so-soft bug spray which is scentless. I haven't tried it yet. I spend too much time in windy places for the midges to find me. At dusk, I am usually in a Pub and whiskey seems to be a deterrent, as well. biggrin biggrin biggrin

Or at least that is my story!

Slan Agus Barrogs, Bit

youngka · Guru

Bit, Thanks about the skin so soft, it does have other uses. I like the last line, before signoff, about the alternate determent biggrin

!!

J2Spring · Member

Thanks to all of you for your comments & suggestions. But please keep them coming in -- as I've mentioned I wish to go over this summer but without being eaten alive. We love the mountains & countryside so much more than the cities (apparently the midges do, too). Has anyone been to the countryside of Donegal in June, July, or August without encountering them? Or for that matter any other rural part of Ireland -- I'm just looking to enjoy the mountains, lakes, & beautiful rural areas. Open to suggestions.

As to the midges only coming out at dusk -- the variety I encountered in Connemara were definitely out during the day -- all day. Like a Hitch**** movie! Had to spend the last day inside the hotel, even tho there was a long, beautiful path going thru the extensive grounds of the property. Hope we don't have to postpone til the Fall.

Thanks again, J2Spring

Michele Erdvig · Host

J2Spring,

How nice that you are returning to Ireland again. I have rarely encountered midges but they are bloodthirsty little critters. I suppose the best advice is to take insect repellent with you when hiking. It is hard to pinpoint where they might be. Has anyone tried those new clip-on repelents?

Michele