MIDGE MISERY
I have had a lot of emails lately asking if I have any secrets or miraculous methods to deter midges and mosquitoes, and then I saw that even the England football team were suffering with them, although they didn’t email me.
They are at their worst at the moment (the bugs not the football team) as water sources are low and shallow, providing perfect breeding grounds for the pesky little critters.
I have always used, and sworn by, a skin-sosoft spray made by a well known cosmetic company that I’m not allowed to mention in my column (ding dong...) but make sure you choose the original formula, not the scented one.
I was told it was a well known secret about six years ago and since then have found out that it wasn’t that much of a secret as fishermen, campers and even the SAS also swear by it. And to be honest, since I found out about it, it’s more of a talking point than a secret!
But apparently it doesn’t work for everyone. It failed a friend who was still struggling with evening dog walks and also horse flies making both her and her horse’s life a misery. So I set about testing a few homemade essential oil mixes.
The most successful was a mix of equal drops of citronella, eucalyptus, lavender and peppermint. Dab the mix onto yourself neat, but dilute it to use on horses.
I have also been told that Bounce Fabric Conditioner sheets work – if you rub them over your skin, that will deter midges and mosquitoes and often horse flies. Another friend uses the sheets tucked into various parts of the bridle and headcollar to repel the horse flies.
And burning rosemary on the BBQ is also supposed to keep them at bay – as well as making everything smell sweet.