http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: "Heavy snow means 800 times as many midges" en Sun, 31 May 2026 12:43:20 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457&page=2#post-26433 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:22:50 +0000 David F 26433@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote><em>Hmmm. Do I get biscuits and a free can of repellent? ;) </em></blockquote></p> <p>Its even better than that, person who owns the land we do testing on always has a steady stream of home bakes flowing out of the AGA in the house next door! As for free smidge - we would have to see if you behaved!</p> <p><blockquote><em>I generally get bitten lots and try to stay away from midges but if anyone can use my affliction to conduct research high could save others I'd happily volunteer. </em></blockquote> The more <strike>victims</strike> volunteers the better ;) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457&page=2#post-26429 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:51:59 +0000 wingpig 26429@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I generally get bitten lots and try to stay away from midges but if anyone can use my affliction to conduct research high could save others I'd happily volunteer. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457&page=2#post-26427 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:44:48 +0000 chdot 26427@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Do I get biscuits and a free can of repellent?"</p> <p>Only if the midgies get their pint of blood. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457&page=2#post-26426 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:41:57 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 26426@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Do you want to volunteer for some midge work during the summer? Always looking for people who midges love to bite to come and get bitten in the name of scientific research! Still not met anyone who get bitten more than me - I'm in the wrong job!</em></p> <p>Hmmm. Do I get biscuits and a free can of repellent? ;) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457&page=2#post-26423 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:31:52 +0000 Min 26423@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"They DO still bite! I've used SSS and it did nothing! Seriously, I must be the most midge-attracting person on the planet. :( "</p> <p>Apparently its all to do with how your feet smell.. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457&page=2#post-26397 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:23:12 +0000 David F 26397@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@anth at work - Do you want to volunteer for some midge work during the summer? Always looking for people who midges love to bite to come and get bitten in the name of scientific research! Still not met anyone who get bitten more than me - I'm in the wrong job! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457&page=2#post-26393 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:09:49 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 26393@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Oh I didn't know that about the barrier with SSS. I just thought it was the chemically smell that put them off. That explains why they still land on you but don't bite!</em></p> <p>They DO still bite! I've used SSS and it did nothing! Seriously, I must be the most midge-attracting person on the planet. :( </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457&page=2#post-26392 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:02:31 +0000 David F 26392@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@alanp - I will send you an email shortly regarding the app stuff.</p> <p>And since chdot has said its ok to mention our new repellent smidge I shall or at least provide a link to a blog I just found 15mins ago <a href="http://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2010/08/midge-repellent-that-really-works.html#comment-form">http://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2010/08/midge-repellent-that-really-works</a>. </p> <p>And once again, we apologise for the mix up between us and the journalist. Todays weather shows why we try and refrain from any kind of forecasting till a week before. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457&page=2#post-26355 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 11:35:25 +0000 SRD 26355@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>also watch out for plastic glasses frames!! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457&page=2#post-26354 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 11:30:14 +0000 Min 26354@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Oh I didn't know that about the barrier with SSS. I just thought it was the chemically smell that put them off. That explains why they still land on you but don't bite! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457&page=2#post-26351 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 11:06:12 +0000 kaputnik 26351@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>DEET is an effective solvent, and may dissolve some plastics, rayon, <strong>spandex</strong>, other synthetic fabrics, leather, and painted or varnished surfaces including nailpolish</em></p> <p>Not to be worn with one's finest ASSOS shorts then! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457&page=2#post-26350 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 11:04:20 +0000 Wintee 26350@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I regularly use SSS and have yet to find a batch of midgies capable of getting through - granted I do douse myself in the stuff.</p> <p>As well as getting it from Tiso, you can also get it from your local Avon rep, or via their website.<br /> Tiso were charging £6 a bottle last year. You can get it from your Avon rep for as little as £2/£3 a bottle.</p> <p>I once tried using the DEET based stuff I used to repel Tsetse flies in Tanzania - no luck, midgies seem to love the stuff. It melted a lovely polar HRM watch though. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457&page=2#post-26326 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 09:46:25 +0000 chdot 26326@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Yesterday we mentioned that local cyclists were discussing ways to tackle a predicted increase in midges. Now it's claimed there might not actually be as many as 800 times more midges after all. Join in the debate on the CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum."</p> <p><a href="http://guardian.co.uk/edinburgh/2011/mar/09/edinburgh-tram-tickets-causey-foursquare-holyrood" rel="nofollow">http://guardian.co.uk/edinburgh/2011/mar/09/edinburgh-tram-tickets-causey-foursquare-holyrood</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457&page=2#post-26304 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:44:57 +0000 druidh 26304@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>You can get the "American" Skin-so-soft" via Amazon. Not only does it act against the midge in the same was as "our" one (by creating a barrier layer) it contains an actual repellent and a sunscreen. So, it's a single-bottle solution.</p> <p>PS - If you're going to use UK S-S-S, you need to apply a good thick layer. It doesn't repel them at all, just drowns them. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457&page=2#post-26274 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 18:33:46 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 26274@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Nothing works, you hear me, NOTHING! I've tried it all - we go away to Skye and within a couple of days I'm closing in on triple figures in bites and Mel has, ooh, maybe 2. Of course her's are always more itchy...</p> <p>Exterminate them all!</p> <p>Clearly I'm just irresistible... :P </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457#post-26269 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 17:23:34 +0000 alanp 26269@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hi David,</p> <p>Saw your post and the point about being quoted 2x iPhone app price for Android. This surprised me (I develop for both, did the CycleStreets iPhone app), there's no reason per-se, developers will quote high from time to time just like builders do :-(</p> <p>I'd be happy to talk about these things (no obligation, of course) if you still fancy the idea. I could quote for a piece of work or answer the "what can you do for £X" question. I'm alan dot paxton at gmail dot com (<a href="http://www.isomaly.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.isomaly.com/</a>) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457#post-26264 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 17:11:22 +0000 cb 26264@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks David. It's alright I can always just use the website! I'm assuming the app is just a portal onto the website anyway.<br /> I'm just a disgruntled Android owner getting miffed at businesses always jumping on the iPhone bandwagon. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457#post-26256 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:54:17 +0000 David F 26256@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>We looked at the cost of making an Android app in January, the price to have it developed was more than twice what we paid last year for the iphone app. Its not a definite no at the moment but it looks like our budget for smidge advertising will be going on outdoor events rather than extending the apps as we feel it will be a better use. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457#post-26240 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:22:50 +0000 cb 26240@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Yes we have an app for that."</p> <p><a href="http://www.cellular-news.com/story/48197.php">But not for Android</a> :( </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457#post-26183 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 12:08:29 +0000 kaputnik 26183@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I dislike clegs / horseflies more than midges. Midges are an annoyance. Clegs fly in silently, land and then <strong>YEOW!</strong>, bite you through your clothes. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457#post-26181 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 12:03:13 +0000 Stepdoh 26181@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>On the west coast of NZ the sandflies are really awful, fairly voracious too. You usually doused yourself in vast quantities of DEET. Suspect it's not very good for you :) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457#post-26178 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:56:09 +0000 David F 26178@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yes we have an app for that.</p> <p>However having to hold myself back from some of the comments. As I said I am not allowed to mention the moisturiser but isnt it strange Avon in America range of insect repellents all contain scientifically proven repellent compounds such as IR3535 or Picaridine as well at around 10%?</p> <p><a href="http://www.avon.com/1/3/avon-soft-skin-mosquito-repelent">http://www.avon.com/1/3/avon-soft-skin-mosquito-repelent</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457#post-26172 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:46:39 +0000 kaputnik 26172@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Yes, skin so soft is the stuff.<br /> </em></p> <p>Standard issue with the RSPB in Abernethy forest. Magical stuff - you need to get the dry oil spray. Some bozos from my work turned up with big bottles of the body lotion on the Caley Challenge. Wonderfully soft and smooth skin but eaten alive by midges. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457#post-26171 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:46:06 +0000 Jackson Priest 26171@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Good linkee, Stepdoh! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457#post-26167 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:40:17 +0000 chdot 26167@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Hi Folks from the midge forecast team"</p> <p>SEE - CCE always attracts the people who know!</p> <p>AND there's a (free) <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/app/scottish-midge-forecast-uk/id375094872?mt=8ast">App for that</a> - REALLY!!!! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457#post-26163 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:37:40 +0000 Stepdoh 26163@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Cue some mid-nineties indie-schmindie music from Space</p> <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGVHt5YibY8" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGVHt5YibY8</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457#post-26162 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:34:53 +0000 Jackson Priest 26162@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It's only the female midges which bite anyway, so if you keep away from them you should be ok. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457#post-26161 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:33:49 +0000 Kim 26161@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>If is was in the Hootsman teat it with a pinch of salt, yes we had snow on the ground for a longer period that we are now used to. However, there was also a prolonged deep frost before the snow came and since most of the snow melted it has been drier that average, both of these factors will effect midge densities... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457#post-26160 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:31:45 +0000 David F 26160@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hi Folks from the midge forecast team. Let me say I was the most shocked person when I read the x800 headline in the papers yesterday as we had said no such thing to the journalists.</p> <p>Currently we think midge numbers may be up at the start of the year but it would be impossible for Scotland to have 800 times more midges as some areas are already at saturation point.<br /> The figure was derived from our data of 20,000 midges to be trapped on an average night at our test site, however at peak periods during the season we can catch up to 16 million midges per night. A good start to the season means it is more likely that peak numbers will occur in more places - but that is normal for each year. </p> <p>I would like to talk about the repellent side of things, but Im not allowed to about the moisturiser. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2457#post-26152 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 10:55:07 +0000 cb 26152@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Strangely, it is not marketed as such"</p> <p>Although they do allow Tiso to sell it, which is kind of marketing it as a midge repellant. </p>