1x 150ml SKIN so SOFT ® AVON Dry Oil Body Spray ORIGINAL® +jojoba insect repellent

Product Information

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing, Use insect repellent: Applying a repellent to your skin can help to prevent midges from biting you. Look for repellents that contain DEET or picaridin, as these are the most effective against midges. Avon’s Skin So Soft This moisturiser was not created as a midge fighter but for some reason, someone realised it works against the beasties. Many people swear by this pleasant smelling body cream as an anti-midge defender. You can buy it online from Avon and many outdoor stores. Totally agree with DDootsie, folklore indeed...If it really worked, and it was proven it really kept biting insects and the like away, they would actively promote this and widely advertise if it was fact.

I have to start this review by saying I’ve used Mosi-Guard natural repellent before and while it works, in my opinion it’s not quite as good as Smidge or any product that uses DEET. It’s a known fact that midges cause misery to Scotland’s tourists across the Highlands and Islands where they gather in vast numbers between May and September. These are really effective and suit outdoor eating scenarios, picnics and BBQs, although BBQ smoke does a good job of keeping the midges away too. Midges dislike the smell of the candles, so burn a couple at a time to double your chances of keeping them away. What time of year do midges come out in Scotland? During their peak population time of July-September, it can be very difficult to avoid swarms of midges ruining your stalking. Moreover, if you find yourself out in the field on a cloudy, warm day, wading through long damp undergrowth, it can be virtually impossible. Not only this, but midges are able to detect carbon dioxide from up to 200 metres away, so if you find yourself walking through the Highlands, moving from drive to drive on the first grouse shoot of the season or stalking stags, they will be able to sense your location and zoom in. Best protection against midges The good news is that those local news stories about how great Avon products are at repelling insects don’t have to be totally wrong anymore!It’s also the cheapest of the bunch, has a manual pump dispenser, and it’s infused with natural oils so it’s virtually free of chemicals. If you’re ahead of the game and already have some Avon products, then great! All you need to do is keep applying it like you are already, keeping your skin safe while free from itches. If you don’t have any Avon, their products are relatively cheap and easy to find, so what are you waiting for? Get going and keep those pesky mosquitoes away! To deter midges from the ‘get-go’, it is a good idea to set yourself up with some midge repellent. Anything to discourage the attention of the midge is definitely worth a try. For hundreds of years, people have been trying to find ways to get rid of them and, whilst it is clear we can't do that, we have found ways to keep them at bay. Here are a couple of tips for you. Midges are insects with a wingspan of just 1-2mm. They need blood to survive and enjoy feasting on animals and humans.

There are nearly 40 species of biting midge in Scotland but only five of these are thought to regularly feed on people. Of these, the Highland midge, Culicoides impunctatus, is the most bloodthirsty, and the species responsible for most of the bites of people. Wearing light-coloured clothing may attract fewer midges as, like goths, midges seem to prefer dark colours. While it is not officially mentioned by Avon that this product, infused with natural oils and citronella aroma offers the best midge protection, it comes highly recommended by the Marines and the SAS. I’ve been using Smidge for years and out of all the insect repellents I’ve used it’s the only one I always make sure I’ve got ready to go in my suitcase. If you’re being bitten by midges, then your friends and family probably are too. Why not help them out by sharing this post with them using the simple share buttons?Citronella, peppermint, lavender and eucalyptus essential oils can be used as natural midge repellents. Citronella candles can be used to keep midges away when sitting outside or can be used to deter midges from the house. BBQ smoke is another effective deterrent. While I rate it above Smidge as a repellent it’s not waterproof, so if you go for a dip you’ll have to re-apply it. It’s also a spray aerosol so there’s a risk the gas will escape if you don’t use it for a long time and I found it to be a bit greasy – but not overly so. I actually used Jungle Formula in the jungle several times in the past (I used to work in West Africa) so I can say hand on heart it definitely does the job when it comes to keeping flying nasties away. This product couldn’t come more highly recommended – it does the job and it is very affordable to boot. Using Avon’s “Bug Guard” is a good solution for a (relatively) cheap repellent that also aids your skin. Regular Avon Skin-So-Soft will work too, but only for a fraction of the time, it seems. Though, it’s better than using other items around your house, such as Listerine.

Midges (also called gnats) are tiny flying insects and the Highland midge (Culicoides Impunctatus) is the one that causes issues, particularly in Western Scotland and the Highlands. We haven’t tried Lifesystems Natural 30+ Insect Repellent Spray but I like that it’s another natural midge repellent. After a long day hiking through the Highlands you’ll no doubt be desperate for a shower, after which the last thing you’ll want to do is slather your body with yet more insect repellent. While Avon Skin-So-Soft is definitely not as effective as DEET-based repellents, and I wouldn’t use it at all when we were travelling to Africa and Malaria was an issue, but in my experience it definitely does a decent job of repelling mosquitoes.

Which areas of Scotland are affected by midges?

A great alternative is to light a few of these candles if you’re intending to sit outside as they’re designed to release a scent that midges, mosquitoes, and other buzzy critters hate. All you need to do is spray your exposed areas. The spray should last long enough to ward off any potential mosquitoes. If you’re using a non-spray Avon product, you can rub the product over the exposed areas. Calm, windless days and dull days are likely to be more midgey– midges stop flying in wind speeds greater than about 6mph.