Horse flys

[Paul Cleaver]

they should be called man flies - that also feed on horses!!

[Mark Bolam]

Deet is 100% effective against Kielder midges, so I'd try it for clegs,

Someone (on the forum) told me they only bite where you cant see them: ie your back, backs of arms, legs etc, if you put some 'eyes' on the back of your helmet (glasses back to front) or t shirt they dont bit so much!! sounds as if you'd look stupid, cant say I tried it, but its worth a try?

 

I'd say there's a lot of truth in that Steph.

I only ever seem to get nailed on my back or triceps.

[Ewan Murray]

Deet breaks down nylon so just a heads up if your using it neat good clothes or climbing equipment.

[DM TREES]

I swell badly if they get me

I use the Avon stuff works for me

No budgie smugglers !!!

[GardenKit]

When I was a lad I used to mow meadow grass for hay using a cabless MF135. I would get eaten alive by these things.

 

An old country boy said to slap them and rub them in around the bite area, they apparently contain their own anti-venom.

 

It certainly seemed to help reduce the swelling.

[roseyweb]

Avon Skin so Soft and avoid bare skin, especially back.

 

They are evil bastards, I swell up like an egg yolk.

 

My misses is from kielder and its the locals secret, the green one apparently

[Mark Bolam]

She will know then.

 

'Dry oil body spray' it's called.

 

The best thing is you can spray it all over everything and unlike the DEET products won't degrade plastics and stuff, and possibly have more sinister health effects.

 

Hard to find in the shops, but Amazon have plenty for about £5 a bottle.

[Gnome]

Chopsticks and the eyes of a hawk.

[StephF]

Deet breaks down nylon so just a heads up if your using it neat good clothes or climbing equipment.

 

Useful info! thanks

[StephF]

Research done on deet say it is 100% non toxic to humans, also I personally have not found the'skin so soft' affects kielder midges, although they did not like it on W coast scotland! (different type of midge?)