Smidge That Midge.. Does it actually work?

[Nagual]

I recently became aware of a fairly new insect repellant to the market made by the folks who give us the Scottish Midge Forecast called "Smidge"

Now I, like many of you, have tried just about every idea / solution out there bar selling my Grans soul to the devil, so I was fairly sure I'd be disappointed with this too. I've tried Avon, and fairly good results but not 100%, plus if you are out and about in gthe sun chances are you could burn. I've tried both 'Don't bite me' and 'Highland Midge' patches (transdermal type) and had no luck with either. Since everyone has a different body chemistry I was basically sure I was one of the unlucky ones who would have to wear some sort of body armour out here by Loch Eck.

How bad are the midges out this way? So far even in the hot sun there have been a few of the wee blighters, never mind once the temps fall,or it gets a bit humid. Leave the light on, and outside is an angry army of flying blood sucking, flesh ripping evil thugs.

So after reading up on Smidge and it's active ingredient Saltidin, I bought a bottle from a shop in Dunoon. Must say I nearly thought being eat was preferable to paying the asking price, but then - well no not even close. £7.99 per 75ml bottle. Cheap? No. Long lasting? Thats still to be seen.

Once up the road, I decide to mimic the Smidge sites example - cover one arm with it and leave the other bare. Went out in to the woods beside the house, where even during the day the midges feast. Sat down and waited. Sure enough, within a few minutes a cloud of them were flying around, and started to have a drink on me. Only on the non-treated arm though. Not long after that, I decided to cover the rest of me. Back in the house, other arm, face and neck done, I went out to the woods again. Sat down and waited... and waited.. and waited.. sure lots of them flying about, but no bites. Many were landing on my clothes but none on my treated skin. Well actually one or two did, but they didn't bite. I went back out a couple of hours later and did the same test and same results. With the exception that after washing my hands twice, I had a couple midges on them. Literally a couple though.

So far I have to say it works. For me anyway. 8 quid is a lot to fork out to test something, so please keep this in mind if you decide to try it, everyones body is different. Having said that, the active ingredient, Saltidin is apparently recommended by the World Health Organisation.

PS, tonights final test will be leaving the kitchen light on and going out into the killer swarm.... wish me luck, but I don't think I'll need it?

[gsfgaz]

That sounds worth a try , i've tried everything .. skin so soft does'nt work for me
i found the tesco's own spray is pretty good ..
or just use the dreaded net ..

[JonnyP]

Interesting.. Does it work on mozzies too do you know..?

[Nagual]

Originally Posted by JonnyP

Interesting.. Does it work on mozzies too do you know..?

That's what it says on the tin, mate! Although, news just in.. a product called Autan, cheaper and bigger in size, containing the same amount of active ingredient (under a different name though) is available. Only difference is Smidge claims to be waterproof, Autan isn't. That and sometimes different formulations work differently.

[Opal]

Methinks Nag's been eaten.

Oh! yer back then?

[Nagual]

Okays.. here is the latest bit of test result...

Left the light on for a bit, and just went outside.. with in moments there was a thick cloud of midges. However within a few minutes I was getting bitten, so I retreated inside and reapplied the Smidge. Back outside and stood in the cloud. Many landed on me, but flew away or tried to, as they got stuck on the slight wetness on my arm hairs. I think I breathed in more than landed on me though. Didn't get bitten this time. First application was around 4pm, so not quite the 8 hours they claim, but still damn good.

[midgeforecast]

Hi Nagual. Many thanks for trying out Smidge - and for the good feedback. Just to clear up some of the replies, Smidge & Autan do have the same active (Saltidin) but Smidge is a totally different, patented formulation, which has been designed to provide long-lasting, water/sweat proof protection against all kinds of biting insects, including biting midges and mosquitoes. The online price (www.midgeforecast.co.uk) is £6.90 and there's £1 off your first bottle. We are waiting for new stock (arriving at the end of next week) but we are taking orders which will be dealt with asap when the product arrives, in the order that they come in. If you do decide to take the Smidge Challenge, we'd love to have any feedback.

[iamasmith]

I just travel with SWMBO. If she's around I don't need repellent they just have their wicked way with her and leave me alone

[wayne southwick]

I have tried autan in the past and it works.I might have to try some smidge out one day as i like the idea of it being sweatproof etc

[SWF]

Ive never found any repellant thats worked with Midgies. Drowning them with repellant is costly and skin so soft just basically puts a layer on your skin that they cannot penetrate.
I gave up buying repellants long ago, save money and use a Midge Net.