If summer is warm and wet, midges can still be bad later in the summer and into the early autumn, as subsequent generations arise. As mentioned above, they are problematic for productivity levels in outdoors industry (not to mention extremely unpleasant for the workers involved) and cost the tourism industry a huge amount each year. I'm happy to recommend this solution, it changed the game for me at the end of last summer and I've just packed them in the bag for new week's trip to Scotland. In optimal conditions, with the right type of soil, around half a million midges can hatch from just one two square metre patch of ground. Another argument used in favour of widespread midge control (if not outright eradication) is that, while they do play a role in the food chain – eaten by a range of bats and birds and other creatures – those creatures would, if midges were gone, just eat something else.

The Scottish Midge Forecast is created using data collected from biting midge traps and mini-weather stations across the country.While biting midges are abroad in Scotland between May and September, with some outliers hitting the skies in April and October, July and August are generally considered to be the time when midges in Scotland are at their worst, in the average year. We use marketing, analytical and functional cookies as well as similar technologies to give you the best experience. Aside from its outstanding natural beauty, Scotland is well known for its high population of midges and wee biting beasties. After a midge has had its fill, we can be left with itchy and irritating little bumps on our skin, which can redden in colour. Do midges, black flies, no-see-ums or sand-flies gravitate towards you, leaving you with itching welts once they've had their way with you?

The Forestry Authority has estimated that of the 65 working days each summer, as much as 20% can be lost due to midge attacks preventing workers from doing their jobs.

A quick pronunciation hint: the Scots pronounce the insect as ‘ mi-jee’, emphasising the first syllable. While you may never be able to protect yourself from midges and beasties completely, there are a few things you can do to help reduce their irritating presence and appetites! The pipistrelle, for example, the most common bat species in Scotland, is known to feed unselectively on whatever insects are available. And in the name of sisterhood, once a midge has found a tasty meal, they release pheromones to alert nearby swarms that food is nearby! If those conditions occur best to put on midge mask long sleeved jacket, thick trousers and even gloves.

The female midge’s mouth parts – fine toothed mandibles and maxillae, work like two saws, cutting through the skin. Midges are prevalent throughout summer and tend to be most active around dawn and dusk when the temperatures are much cooler, and the humidity high; their favourable conditions. There are a number of different repellents that have varying degrees of efficacy when it comes to getting rid of midges and making sure that they do not bite.At Arran Active we pride ourselves on providing you with the best quality products but we know sometimes that things can go wrong or you might change your mind.