Not all repellents are equal against midgies, and several products marketed for general insect use offer little protection. These are the ones with a genuine track record in Scottish conditions.
A Scottish-made repellent formulated specifically for Culicoides impunctatus. The active ingredient is Saltidin (Picaridin), which is highly effective and far gentler on skin than DEET. Doesn't damage plastics or fabrics. Long-lasting and pleasant to use — the gold standard for Scottish midgies.
Find Smidge on Amazon →Not marketed as a repellent, but a long-standing open secret among hillwalkers, gamekeepers and outdoor workers across Scotland. The original dry oil formulation offers genuine short-term protection and doubles as a skin moisturiser — useful in Shetland's bracing air. Ask any Shetlander.
Find Avon SSS on Amazon →A reliable DEET-based repellent with a strong track record against biting insects generally. Effective against midgies, though DEET can damage synthetic fabrics and some plastics — take care with outdoor gear. A good option when conditions are severe and you need maximum protection.
Find Jungle Formula on Amazon →* Affiliate disclosure: Links marked above are Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the running of Big Midgie. We only recommend products we'd use ourselves.
For fishing, outdoor work, or any prolonged exposure in high-risk conditions, a head net is the most reliable protection available. But there is one critical distinction that is almost never stated clearly in product listings:
A proper midge head net must also be paired with a suitable hat with a brim — without this the net rests against your face, which is both uncomfortable and ineffective as midgies will bite through fabric in contact with skin.
Look specifically for nets rated for Culicoides or with a fine mesh count stated on the packaging. Wear over a wide-brimmed hat or cap to keep the net clear of your face. For fishing and fieldwork in peak season, this is non-negotiable.
Find midge head nets on Amazon →These are the things that actually get used up here, passed between neighbours rather than written in product descriptions.
Understanding the mechanism helps you disrupt it. Culicoides impunctatus locates hosts through a combination of signals: carbon dioxide exhaled in your breath is the primary long-range attractant, detectable from several metres. At closer range, they respond to body heat, moisture, and specific skin chemicals.
Visually, they are drawn to dark shapes against lighter backgrounds — which is why light clothing offers modest protection, and why you seem to attract more attention than your surroundings on a bright overcast day.
The premium electronic attractors now available — which cost upwards of £2,000 — exploit this by emitting CO₂ and heat to draw midgies away from people and into a vacuum trap. They work on the same principle as the campfire: offer a more compelling target and redirect the swarm. A DIY version of this concept, at a more accessible price, is something we're exploring.