countrytalkandtips.myfreeforum.org

blowin · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 2:02 am Post subject: midge control

Extract from http://www.treesforlife.org.uk/tfl.midge.html

.... " The Highland biting midge begins life as an egg which is laid in summer on moist soil, often characterised by rushes (Juncus articulatus and J. acutiflorus). The eggs are laid in batches of 30-100, 5 days after the female is fertilised, and the larvae hatch within a day and burrow into the watery top layers of the soil. The larvae are both omnivorous and detritivores, feeding on other larvae, nematodes, protozoa and green algae, as well as dead organic material. Each larva goes through 4 stages of growth, or instars, which are separated by moults, and it passes the winter in the final instar stage, when it is about 5 mm. long. Triggered by increasing temperatures and hours of daylight, the larva enters the pupal stage for 1-2 days between mid-May and July. Inside the pupa, metamorphosis takes place, and the midge emerges as a flying adult, with a lifespan of 20-30 days.
Midge larva

The larva of the Highland biting midge lives in the watery top layers of the soil

In conditions which are ideal for larval development, midge densities reach extraordinary levels, with a hectare of land estimated to contain up to 24 million larvae. In one study, 500,000 midges were collected, emerging from an area of just 2 metres by 2 metres. Midges do not generally disperse far from their breeding grounds, although they can be carried a kilometre or more in gentle breezes. At wind speeds of over 8.8 kilometres per hour (5.5 miles per hour) midges are unable to fly, and will land on ground vegetation or tree trunks.

Adult midges rely mainly on the nectar of flowers for their energy source, but may also feed on the sap wounds of trees and rotting vegetation. The main imperative of adult midges is to reproduce, and the males sometimes form swarms, in which they may be stimulated by the sound of the females' beating wings. Copulation lasts for 2-3 minutes, and after fertilisation the females require a meal of blood for the eggs to develop fully. This bloodsucking, or haematophagous, behaviour involves feeding on mammals, typically red deer (Cervus elaphus) or cattle, and, to a lesser extent, sheep. Other mammals, including humans, are fed upon when the opportunity arises.

Research has shown that, in her quest for blood, the female midge is attracted to dark-coloured moving objects, particularly where they are associated with carbon dioxide, which is given out in the breath of mammals. In addition, the midge has a well-developed olfactory sense, which it uses to detect the presence of several chemicals in the body odour of humans and other mammals, such as acetone and lactic acid. ..."

So , now you know the enemy ! Wink

Camile · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 7:34 am Post subject:

interesting indeed ...

One thing that seems to work is to stick a feverfew leave behind your hear.

I've only discoverred that last week, a man that owns a garden center gave me the trick, but since then, when I feel something "bitinng" while outside or in the tunnel ... I get one leave and it does seem to work so far, and the midges are not full blast yet....

Camile

quarryman · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 417 Location: Sligo

No problem so far with midges but have had bites from mozzies. There seems to be loads around at the moment.

Must plant feverfew close to the Bar B.

blowin · Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 12:24 am Post subject:

They are just beginning to get wicked around here but still nowhere near as bad as they can be .
I know there is an old thread on this subject somewhere . It includes the top tip which is to use Nivea "Soft" intensive moisturising cream as a midge deterrent . I don't think it actually repels them but it bungs up their beaks so they can't bite . It is far more effective than any of the proprietry repellents IMHO and I have tried every one I could find . A big benefit is that you can put it on your eyelids and in your ears .
I believe Avon " So Soft" is similar .

Camile · Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 10:55 pm Post subject:

Hello,

This is back on the headline again ..

Feverfew does the job fairly well .. and I tried the nivea cream once at Blowin's place and it does work ..

they are ferocious up there ..

Camile