MIdges and mosquitoes
soulboy
Posts: 429
I live in Sheffield and this year there has been an increase in the number of mosquitoes in the garden. Worse though is the appearance of swarms of midges or gnats.
I have developed and cultivated the communal gardens to a small block of four flats, a very large back garden and a small front garden.
I've put the increase down to the very wet and humid weather we've been having this year, as well as the mild and wet winter that will have allowed more insects to survive and breed.
However, while there's always been a few mozzies in the back garden in particular, congregating under a large oak and a couple of cherry trees, there's not been a problem previously with midges. The latter have also started congregating around the porch and front steps.
The midges are a real nuisance as they are the biting type and in the late afternoon/evening I often have to abandon any work I'm doing in the garden to avoid getting bitten, or as I did recently, sweat under a hoodie.
I wonder if other people have seen similar increases in these insects? There is a colony of bats somewhere nearby but I haven't seen or heard them this summer and the swifts have also been mostly absent. So there's definitely been less predation of these insects.
I realise there's very little I can do about the back garden insects but I'm thinking of investing in a small portable (battery-operated) infra red insect lamp for the porch. Does anyone have any experience as to their effectiveness?
Posts
If you type "Avon jollop" into the search box you can join in the moaning, complaining and solutions offered. I can't offer any explanation as to why there are more but this stuff definitely works at keeping them away...can't promise you won't get eaten by soulgirls though!
Avon skin so soft works. Biters are definitely worse this year. I even have to put the stuff on when I pop out to the wheelie bins!
I'm able to use more of my garden now that I can go down the end of the garden after midday.
I agree about the Avon Skin so Soft - it is brilliant. And I think that the problem of midges and mozzies is worse this year because of the rain and, even on dry days, the high humidity.
One thing to be careful of is standing water: anything that fills with water can easily be used by the critturs to breed, so ensure that there is no standing water, if possible. If you have a water butt, then a few drops of Armillatox or Jeyes fluid will deter them.
Thanks for the replies and recommendations. I'll certainly be trying the Avon product when I get the chance. Plant Pauper, you are shameless! But some attention from the opposite sex would be most welcome.