Keeping midges away?

[styley]

We're having a party on wednesday evening and if is nice weather we are hoping to be outside for a time. As there will be a few people and some children I was wondering does anyone have any tips on how to keep midges from annoying everyone. I was doing a bit of weeding tonight and was darn near eaten alive.

[ruthiebabie]

Citronella candles or oil torches that you can burn oil in with some citronella may help.

You can get the candles (really big ones like flares) from most garden centres.

Also worth getting a spray insect repellant - look for one suitable for children and give them each a spritz which will help.

[leelapops]

I agreee with ruthiebabie, citronella really does the job. If you have kids about you will need to watch them because the big garden candles aren't super-sturdy, and you wouldn't want accidents. You can get hanging garden lanterns that you could put citronella tea lights in, or if you have high outside surfaces then you can get huge 3-wick candles that would do the job!

[styley]

I'll try and get some of them tomorrow, thanks. I suppose B&Q should do them?

[what..the?]

As well as candles I found that strong smelling concentrated orange squash ( just the contentrate) and also beer attracted wasps and midges so if you put some of that out for the midges, out of reach of someone accidently drinking it, it would keep them busy for a while.

Midges and flys etc also like light don't they so if it gets dark and you are still out, try putting some lighting away from the house, maybe with a beer next to it,....anyone would have thought they were guests the free stuff their getting the blighters.

Other than that get a reptile on a leash!