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In Ireland, as in Scotland, it’s not unusual to meet the wrong people and run into midges… In truth, these bugs are particularly persistent, virulent little mosquitoes, dreaded by tourists and famous for the terribly itchy bites they inflict on their victims… Want to avoid encountering these gnats from hell? Here are a few tips and tricks to help you get rid of these pests quickly…
Midges are small midges, 2mm long with a 1.4mm wingspan, belonging to the Simuliidae family. They are particularly fond of damp areas, such as lakes, rivers, bogs and swamps… That’s why they’re found mainly in Ireland, Scotland, the Camargue and certain African countries…
They feed on the blood drawn from their victims, swarming down on their prey in tight formation. (As the saying goes,“One midge killed, a hundred come to the funeral“) And for their victims, the picture is far from pleasant! Itching, blistering and irritation to the point of bleeding… In other words, their stings are rather painful and unpleasant!
If you have been bitten, we advise you not to scratch yourself: the bites could lead to superinfection, and ruin your vacation!
The Midge is a rather playful mosquito… It is only found during the tourist season, between May/June and September/October… So much for when the tourists are out exploring Ireland!
To avoid this potential problem, don’t rely on mosquito repellents or citronella products sold in France or anywhere other than Midges-affected countries. The latter simply have no effect on Midges, which are rather resistant creatures… Once you’re there, we advise you to equip yourself by going to the nearest chemist’s: anti-midge lotions are available and will easily overcome the attacks of these fearsome pests…
And to make sure you don’t tempt them, here are a few more tips:
