After tips on how to remove unwanted midges from inside a tent.

1. Usually I just try to whip or squash them with my grundies or g-string. But last trip (Loch Etive, kayak), far too many. Opened the tent just enough to pour out my Mighty Mug 900 of pee. 8 seconds. 1 foot opening. Got about 100 midges in!

2. Just tried citronella candles for the first time. Not sure if they are fake, as the packet smells, but when lit, I can't smell nowt. Either way, they were useless.

3. Just bought some mossie coils. I know they work, but a bit toxic inside a tent.

4. I am hoping someone can recommend a 'MINI' spray can of Raid bug spray, instant killer. But I can only find big 300ml cans.

5. Your tip here...

If your grundies don't do it, there is no hope...

I can't vouch for it but the flextail bug repeller looks interesting

https://www.flextail.com/collections/mo ... repellent?

Richpips wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2024 8:59 pm I can't vouch for it but the flextail bug repeller looks interesting

https://www.flextail.com/collections/mo ... repellent?

I have one but yet to try it out. My mate reckons it will attract all the midges from miles around.....

I've used a variation of your technique, Rasta - tent door has double zip, open just enough to squeeze hand / arm plus sacrificial waterbottle through, empty bottle, pull back in sharpish. Ensure arm is slathered in smidge.

Plus I tend to find midges that get in the tent will hover up in the top corner, making annihilating them a bit easier.

On the past two bivis when I've changed my headtorch from white light to red "stealth" mode when setting-up, I've noticed less midge hassle than usual.
Anyone else tried or noticed this?

I have one of those flextail things for my campervan.

Not too bad for a light dusting of mosquitos but not a hope in hell with a midge swarm.

Maybe some kind of fan to blow them back out again?

I've bought (but haven't tried yet) some of the Smokin Midge cones. They're much easier to carry than the repellent coils.

Surely anything 'repellent' doesn't actually kill the little biting bastards/natural and essential part of our ecosystem, doesn't it just repel them, they don't like the smell so go elsewhere?

I'm lead to believe it's the c02 in our breath that attracts them... could be wrong though, in which case maybe a large bin liner over the head... WARNING ! DON'T DO THIS!!!!!

I hate them and believe the Scots nurture them to keep the sassenach's away. It works for me as I refuse to go to Scotland in midge season, and the weather is poor show out of it...

It's got to be the search and destroy method. You're in a confined (flammable) space so think burning anything is maybe not the wisest move.

Yes, Co2 is the draw by all accounts, so obviously learning to hold your breath for long periods of time is the only viable answer

I'm working on MidgeVacuum V0.1 which seems to be the answer

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2024 8:54 am Yes, Co2 is the draw by all accounts, so obviously learning to hold your breath for long periods of time is the only viable answer

And wee on yourself so they cannot get in during your comfort break...its bikepacking there is no comfort

Actually the fan option is a good one - I've been to a few Highland BBQ's (midge burgers NOT on the menu) and we've set up a fan to simulate a breeze - works a treat!

I may say that the midges are migrating south - I've had two midge horrors this year south of the border

Rasta wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2024 8:19 pm 2. Just tried citronella candles for the first time. Not sure if they are fake, as the packet smells, but when lit, I can't smell nowt. Either way, they were useless.

I tried them for the first time in the woods at my mum's last weekend. I'm thinking's mine were fake as no smell and didn't seem to stop the insects. I had several drown in the liquid wax after being attracted by the flame

fatbikephil wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2024 10:23 am

I may say that the midges are migrating south - I've had two midge horrors this year south of the border

I grew up in the Durham Dales and midges could be a horror there 50 years ago.

As it happens Alston was my last midge experience last month. I stopped over the hill heading down Teasdale and they appeared again!

sean_iow wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2024 10:36 am had several drown in the liquid wax after being attracted by the flame

This is tempting.

Smidging-up is not really an option, as I like to wash/clean myself before bed.

And repelling midges is too late once they are inside. If anyone finds a mini 'atomizer of death' ie. Raid spray, please let me know.

Apparently midges don’t like the smell of coffee grounds do perhaps a dab behind each ear and wrist would work?

Maybe some form of one way orifice sewn near the peak of the tent along with a flextail gear mini air bed pump?

Close up view of evicted midge:


This could be adapted for night urination as well I'd imagine

Dave Barter wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2024 9:18 am I'm working on MidgeVacuum V0.1 which seems to be the answer

Could such a contraption be fashioned from a miniature air bed inflator (Flextail etc) with a midge head net as the bag. Perhaps wise to turn the net inside out, and remember which way round it is, should you want to go outside and wear it. Or take two.

Hmm, that's also a good idea. Not sure a flex tail has enough oomph to sook midges through it though.
Time for some experiments!

Richpips wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2024 8:59 pm I can't vouch for it but the flextail bug repeller looks interesting

https://www.flextail.com/collections/mo ... repellent?

I came across them the other day, I'd be interested to hear some real world experience!

Zippy wrote: ↑Mon Aug 12, 2024 10:43 am

Richpips wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2024 8:59 pm I can't vouch for it but the flextail bug repeller looks interesting

https://www.flextail.com/collections/mo ... repellent?

I came across them the other day, I'd be interested to hear some real world experience!

Can't see how a repellent would work in a sealed tent, they've nowhere to repel to.... if it kills them, it's not a repellent...

Zippy wrote: ↑Mon Aug 12, 2024 10:43 am

Richpips wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2024 8:59 pm I can't vouch for it but the flextail bug repeller looks interesting

https://www.flextail.com/collections/mo ... repellent?

I came across them the other day, I'd be interested to hear some real world experience!

I have one. Pretty useless TBH

Just done a 4 night trip (kayak - but pack rafting is tolerated on here ). Sourlies Bothy, which I have bikepacked to before.

Got to get this issue sorted. Ruins a good night in the tent.

And why do 5 bites on 1 arm itch, then clears after half an hour, when 1 bight on the other comes up like a boil and lasts 2 hours?

Sadly, the only way to deal with this is to stay covered up, beekeeper style and use Smidge.

I carry a pair of really light jogging trousers with me to wear in camp - some TK Maxx ones that are a bit like crepe paper, but very light.
I also always sleep in merino long sleeve base layer and tights anyway. Add socks and a midge headnet (about 15g or something) to wear at camp and sleeping.

It's not very fashionable, but pull the tights up over the top so you don't expose bare skin when bending over as they do seem to like to bite along the ass/back crease.


Oddly, they never bite me on the hands, so I can get away without covering them up.