This is not a medical site. Information on this page is provided on a
"best efforts" basis for interest only and does not constitute
personal advice.
It is essential that you discuss medical matters with your doctor.
Please read the site terms of use.
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Garlic has a reputation for helping to ward off mosquito bites,
can it do the same for midges?
Midges (genus culicoides) are common arond the world. There are some 1400 species of midge
known. Most of these are non-biting however a few do bite.
The Highland Midge
Most famous - or infamous - of these biting midges is the Highland biting midge,
Culicoides impunctatus.
Midges do prefer wet, uncultivated land - and there's certainly plenty
of that in the Highlands - however the pests are found throughout Scotland.
impunctatus is simply one of several biting species found across the country.
I speak from bitter - and bitten - experience!
The Biting Midge Problem
Midges like damp, warm conditions without too much sun. For this reason they are most
common during the early morning or evening near to areas of natural water such as rivers
or pools. They are often found in huge swarms and their bites can inflict considerable
discomfort.
It is the female biting midge that actualy does the biting. She is a bloodsucker and needs
to feed before laying her eggs. Midge bites are thus most of a problem during the late spring
and early summer.
Midge Control
Midges can turn a pleasant Scottish garden into a no-go area during summer evenings.
To help counter this, a number of companies are now producing home devices for midge
control - the same devices are often also sold for mosquito control. These generally work
by attracting nearby midges and then killing them. The number that can be
collected in a single evening by a "midge magnet" or "midge eater" is quite amazing!
Obviously this is not a portable solution. For those on the go, there are a number of
midge repellent creams and ointments available on the market. Many of these are the same
products as those sold elsewhere for repelling mosquitos.
Since garlic has a reputation for deterring mosquito bites, it may well be that it can
have a similar effect on the Scottish biting midge. A number of herbal barrier creams on
the market contain garlic extract for this purpose.
Unfortunately there doesn't yet seem to have been much solid scientific research into the
subject. This is a shame as midges are a serious problem here in Scotland. If it was
proven to be
effective, garlic could be a powerful natural weapon in the fight against them.
For much more information on the biting midge, see Scotland's Midges at wyrdology.
Garlic Central is not a medical site. Information on this page is provided on a
"best efforts" basis for interest only and does not constitute
personal advice.
Always discuss medical matters with your doctor.
Please read the site terms of use.
| 
