How to deal with Ticks and Midges 

Hahaha! Ah still canne say it! 😂🐾👍

@@HoundsofHowgate purr+me+thrinn.

@@ClaireCelticMystic glad you found the vid helpful and good luck wae those itchy wee bits! 😉🙂🐾👍

Oft, I doubt they would let me! 😬😂

Thanks 🙂🐾👍

Thanks man! 🐾👍

Thanks! 🙂🐾👍

Haha, the power of Guinness! 🍻 Thanks Hanna! 🙂🐾👍

Cheers Martin! 🐾👍

Thanks Nicol! 🙂🐾👍

Hi there, thanks! Glad you enjoyed the vids! 🙂 Yeah, ticks are horrible! Hope you had yet tick twister to pop the wee critters oot! 🤜🕷️💥

No worries! 🙂🐾👍

Thanks! 😂🐾👍

Thanks Andy! 🐾👍

Thanks Ian! 🐾👍

Thanks Jason! 🙂🐾👍

Thanks! 🐾👍 Aye, barriers for the annoyance of midges and chemical clothing for ticks is my fav system for sure. That way your not putting anything directly on your skin too. Defo not DEET!

@@shadowchaser59 glad to hear you found it useful! 🙂🐾👍

Cheers man 🙂🐾👍

@@HoundsofHowgate You are very welcome. Im an English guy who moved up to Scotland and now Im going camping in the Highlands regularly with a mate of mine up here. The camps have all been brilliant but the two routine issues have been the rain and the midges. Solved the rain issues by always taking a poncho, drenching all my gear in Fabsil and packing a shemagh to dry kit off, but the midges.... dear lord. Im also a "midget magnet" ... my mate encourages me to come out of the tent because he knows that if I stand next to him they will all swarm to me. My personal observations are these ..... I think your barrier techniques are on point. (cover up) Your tactics of layering and being aware of what you are walking through is also epic. The impregnated clothes and treating your clothes also seems like an ace idea. The citronella incense sticks we tried failed entirely because the wind just blows the smoke away. I think they actually work in theory, but in reality even a gentle breeze blows the smoke away. A can of Raid was worth it. I am sure there is a special place in hell reserved for people who take a can of fly spray to camp, but its the nuclear option for clearing your tent and your trousers from midges and ticks. The one thing Im curious about is vitamin B1 (Thiamine), garlic and onion. Apparently stuffing yourself with certain foods and vitamins make you exude odours that drive away midges and insects (and ladies). I am going to try that. Seriously, thanks for the video. After the last camp we have gone back to the drawing board and decided to research this midge stuff because we got savaged so bad.

Thanks Sam! 🐾👍

Thanks Maureen! 🙂👍

Yeah, I find Craghoppers are all about the travel market while most outdoor clothes are almost geared towards a mountain alpine type market. I find personally that the travel stuff suits me more for long distance hiking. The fact that Craghoppers has the factory applied treatment that works against ticks is a massive plus too. Midges pay no attention to the treatment so you will still need your midge specific head net etc though. 🙂 But midges won't cause proper problems like ticks so even if you don't get the factory treated clothing still apply it yourself. You can buy bottles of the treatment to spray your own stuff. Of you check the links in the description you'll see the stuff I use. It's by a company called 'Lifesystems'. It's all the same though: you are just looking for a clothing treatment that contains the active ingredient. 🐾👍

No worries! 🙂🐾👍

Thanks man! 🐾👍

No worries! 🙂 Aye, ticks are a serious issue. I'm amazed there is not more mentioned about them and a lot more companies making anti-tick clothing. 🐾👍

Thanks Steve! 🐾👍

Thanks Dave! 🐾👍

Thanks! Really glad you liked the video and I appreciate the comments. Cheers! John & Moss 🙂🐾👍

People don't take ticks seriously enough. I'd have all this anti tick clothing on and then others would be in shorts and T shirt in long grass with sheep all around.@@HoundsofHowgate

No worries! Yeah, for sure; if you go in midge season and you are not prepared things can get real miserable real quick! Hope you have a good time when you visit and if you want to know anything more or recommendations for things to do or places to go then get in touch. 🙂🐾👍

@@HoundsofHowgate Thank you so much,will do :) Blessings from Holland

Aye, defo worth it. Don't want a ball set full ticks: that's for sure! 😱🐾👍

Cheers man! 🐾👍 Aye, it's strange that folk don't seem to use Permethrin too much considering how much of a problem ticks now are. Like this year they are well bad! Haha, maybe a Masticating Juicer into some sort of cold press system? 😂🙈💩

@@HoundsofHowgate yeah I was surprised how many I ripped off me on the Scottish national trail. Scored a grand total of 14. Keep up the good work and happy trails 🤜

Aye, the old Skin so Soft. It's defo not as effective: good if you don't want to deal with chemicals as much though. Still an option to consider, ken. Maybe it works better on different folk. 🤔

That's lucky you don't have ticks there because they are really nasty wee beggers! Do you know how people keep black flies and mosquitoes away from their dogs? Mosquitoes can transmit some nasty stuff into dogs, can't they?

Thanks! 🙂🐾👍

Hi Alan, thanks for the tip on that other shirt. Luckily I've not had that wearing problem myself but a lot of factors come into it, don't they. And for sure, SO much better buying pre-treated kit! 🙂🐾👍

Thank you! 🐾👍 That's quite interesting about the tights. I don't think anyone should bother because if it works, it works. How much hotter do you get in tights? Also I take it ticks cant then bite through the material? Like tights have tiny wee square holes in the don't they? Your getting there with the walking! What an achievement it's gonna be! 👣👍

Depends on the denier! LOL. No problem with heat, my gaiters cause the biggest build up of heat. Another good tip I have read about is to put all of your walking clothes into the tumble dryer first, then wash them. Ticks hate dry conditions and can survive a washing machine cycle.

Thanks Tony! 🙂 No, if it goes near the Guinness it's goin' doon the hatch! 😂🐾👍

Hi Sebastian, thanks! 🐾👍🙂 Are you talking about the Permethrin treated clothes? I don't use skin sprays anymore however they are better than DEET in terms of harshness. As for the Permethrin treated clothes it, "has low mammalian toxicity, is poorly absorbed through the skin, and is rapidly inactivated by the body. Skin reactions have been uncommon." So it's pretty safe. Safe enough for then to say it is even okay to use on babies over 2 months old. For me, that being considered, and knowing that that ticks most definitely do often carry Lyme Disease and how bad that can affect you for the rest of your life, I'm personally happy to use a clothing treatment that has been scientifically tested as safe. Each to their own though and people have to make a personal judgement call on what they deem to be acceptable risks in using or not using particular methods and solutions. Thanks! 🐾👍

Thanks Camilla! 🐾👍 I think an edible tick treatment, tick collar and treated pack and kit all combine to make a good system. If your dog has long hair a tick collar is the least effective as it relies on skin contact for the treatment to be absorbed. I have a video that I need to edit and upload on dog tick treatment and prevention that will be up soon so watch out for that as I go into the specific product details etc. I wouldn't beat yourself up if your dog gets a tick though. It's pretty difficult to not get any as dogs being all hairy and low to the ground make it almost impossible to eradicate the issue completely. Just get the tick off as soon as you can. 🐾👍

Haha, aye, eBay is your snake belt friend! 😂🐾👍

Thanks! 👍 That clothing has insect repellent built in and as it's loose/baggy, the clegs, if they land, still don't reach my skin if they bite through. For me, covering up is by far the simplest solution. That's why I opt of travel clothing instead of the more specific 'alpine' style modern hiking gear. Even if I wear something else I'll spray it down with the Permethrin treatment I mentioned: seems to do the trick. I get quite a bad reaction to biting flies too actually. Red, swollen, really itchy. I've got an ankle bite from a Cleg that bit through my tucked in trousers and sock when I was strimming 6 weeks ago and there is still a scab there! Wee baskets. 🙂🐾👍

Moss has had less than 10 in almost 8 years: which is pretty good considering that we live in the countryside and that amount of outdoor stuff we do. 🙂🐾👍

Oh yeah, thanks! 🙂🐾👍

Aye, they are good. I've whipped quite a good few ticks off Moss with them no problem: even one on her eyelid! 😬 They sell them on Amazon and most everywhere else: O'Tom Tick Twister. 🐾👍 Ticks are defo not good. 🤜🕷️💥👏

Thanks! 🐾👍 Haha, like bare arse midge attacks mid dump? 😂👍👍👍

@@HoundsofHowgate that must b why old dumps and miding areas got cslled midges i guess. lol

uk you heard of the term 'midge raking'? For someone who rakes through bins and such? Haha, great term. 😂👍

@@HoundsofHowgate aye. m8 we did it as kids lol . i still do it detecting

Moan the snake belt! 🐾👍

@@HoundsofHowgate you should do the river ayr way,I'm hoping to get it done at some point soon

scotland defo on the list! 🐾👍

Thank you! 🐾👍 Aye, the system works well. I really would not like to get a tick. Not only for the risk of Lyme disease but just the mingingness of it! Aye, you can pick up a lot of that Craghoppers stuff really cheaply on the likes of Amazon and such, that's also a big plus: excellent value for money.

Big thumbs up for the snake belt to be by the way! 🙂🙌👍🐾👍🐾👍

I bought 6 bottles several years ago it still works

Aye, I'm the same. The fact that disease carrying ticks could crawl right ontae mah couple in the middle of the night (or intae mah ear) just rules tarps right oot for me. I was going to say maybe in different countries where you get more earth pitches rather that heather or grass it might not be so bad: but often these are big ass spiders and snakes and madness aboot there too! 👽😱

@@HoundsofHowgate them darn Critters everywhere ! 🤣

@@Foxtrottangoabc too right by the way! 🤜🕷🔥

Hi Peter, yeah, it depends as well. A lot of the time you have to take what you get with places to pitch if you are wild camping too. The tent I have means I keep all my kit inside the fly. But you can easily just put your stuff in bags or hang it up. There a lot of different wee techniques depending on your kit. The main thing I think is being prepared (as per this vid) and always being mindful of what you are doing. (Sounds like the Boy Scouts motto or something!) 🙂🐾👍

Have you tried it with the Peppermint oil? I seen this: www.menshealth.com/health/a19517679/peppermint-oil-for-tick-removal-dangers/ I've always read that it is safest to mechanically remove them by the head (tick twister etc) to minimise any further nasty stuff transmission risk. I believe eucalyptus is proven to act as a repellant. I don't know about the other two. What's been your experience with each of the oils as a method of removal? Like, how long does it take for the tick to unattach etc? I'm always curious about these things. Thanks 🙂🐾👍

@@HoundsofHowgate yeah I had considered that danger before, but which oil seems to depend on the tick, and it's worked every time for me so far. My first go-to is either eucalyptus or tea tree, then if those fail I'll use peppermint, or another essential oil such as cinnamon, lavender or clary sage. From my experience, ticks immediately back out when the eucalyptus or tea tree touches them. Same goes for leeches. I'll also be sure to put the tick in a labelled bag and photograph it for diagnosis if required

@@watch-Dominion-2018 that's interesting: good first hand experience there. Especially what you say about the ticks backing straight out. Cheers for the info! 🙂🐾👍

@@HoundsofHowgate but the article you linked does say that theres been no scientific studies on the effect of essential oils vs ticks. I'll have to be more vigilant about where Lyme disease is known to exist and do that chemical treatment on clothes you showed

Haha, aye but you will peel as it's a'oil! Skin protection ain't no joke kids. As for the snakes (selfies with adders aside) then ye have nowt tae worry aboot!.😉🐾👍

Aye....🙂🐾👍

Hahaha! Well there is that! 😂👍 🤜🕷💥

Aye, but did the stuck tae ye? 😉😆 Good to get a different experience story so folk can make up their own mind. Defo true about the recipe but. Best bet is to cover up in reality: just like wae the sun. Bit folk love gettin' them peely-wally limbs oot! Haha! 🙂🐾👍

@@HoundsofHowgate I never paid any attention or pay attention tae look. I knew when using smidge they wid walk on yer face but not bite. This summer I'll check if they dae stick. I also read reviews on Amazon uk on Avon skin so soft as it's gid tae get feedback from other users. You know what repells wasps? Have you found anything that makes wasps stay away? Like a spay. I know they fear smoke and fire as that is danger tae them. That tick spray is it toxic? Safe if some of spay you breathed in? I haven't hud a tick on me yet. Midges are here tae stay!

@@bushcraftandastronomer.3775 I'm not sure about wasps to be fair. I've never really bothered about 'em. Usually I just let 'em buzz aboot and they don't annoy me. Not sure if swipin' at 'em annoys 'em and makes 'em come fur ye mair or that. That tick spray is just fur the clothes. It's not a vapour but a liquid when ye apply it so you'd have to be doing something mad tae get it in the gub. Once it dries it's fine against the skin. It will be one of those ones like with a lot of chemical products that it's about exposure, absorption and dose vs. toxicity in relation to the species. I did look to see a while back to see if it was safe for kids clothes etc and apparently it is. Maybe not babies but defo toddlers: canne mind exactly what they said. (Just looked it up: 2 months old plus is okay). There was something about pets. Dogs are okay for putting it on their clothes but mabies not cats? Something like that: I think it's real toxic to cats. But aye, it's just for the clothes and totally fine once dried. It has little systemic absorption anyway, "It has a low mammalian toxicity and is poorly absorbed by skin". When applying though it defo a good idea to do it outside and cover the mooth when spraying just in case. DEET is effective for certain besties but that is absorbed a lot by the skin: like 17% of what is applied or something. I mean that stuff can melt your watch strap and all sorts! Smidge repels ticks as well I believe. I don't like putting stuff on my skin though, so I just treat my clothes and make sure to be tucked in and covered up like I was saying in yon vid. The less exposure to any chemicals the better really. Kinda like a reward vs. risk thing. The clothing treatment and cover up for me is the best compromise between effective protection or none at all. Midges don't bother me cos I tend to cover up but it's the ticks attaching to your clothes until they find a way in and then the nastly stuff they can transmit to you that is a cause for concern for me. I knew a lassie wae Lyme disease and it really was not good and intermittently causes her problems for a while since she got it; like loads of different issues. Really not good. Did I say in the vid that big Ray Mears has it? Funny cos I used to think sometimes when watching his stuff that he wis breathin' affy heavy for what he was doing and stuff and that might be the reason!

@@HoundsofHowgate never knew Ray Mears has that. Aye big problem with ticks but when I wis a kid you never heard of ticks in 1970s and 1980s. I've started to wonder if midges took blood that hud Covid-19 from somebody wid it effect them in any wiy? A cat hud coviad-19 and died from it and it's a horrible virus!!! I believe virus is 100% man made! It wid be gid if covid-19 would kill millions of midges a day! Like a deadly plague!

@@bushcraftandastronomer.3775 aye, tickets were not as much of a problem in the past for a couple of reasons I believe. 1st is that sheep used to get dipped twice a year and the stuff was pretty potent. So all the ticks would attach to the sheep and die off. Essentially like a wooly tick sponge or mop of the countryside. Some laws or regs came in and I believe sheep are just treated once a year and the gear isn't as potent so it's not as effective on killing off the ticks. Plus due to certain political and cultural type things and so on and so forth, sheep farming isn't what it once was. Less smaller sheep farms and more bigger lowland farms (plus it's complicated with EU subsidies for different things etc) but anyway that has had an impact. 2nd would be that the sporting estates and things of that nature have really died off so the countryside isn't managed in a way it was once. The environmental effect of that (more suitable tick habitat) plus an ever increasing number of deer (to carry and spread ticks) means that it's a bit of a double whammy. 3rd that I forgot about is that the climate is warmer these days so that leads to a better environment for ticks to thrive. It will be many many factors. Even invasive species, people travelling more around the country now with easy transport and such: all these sort of things will contribute to ticks and the spread of Lyme disease. Plus I suppose outdoor pursuits weren't as much of a popular thing in the past so you never heard of ticks and folk getting Lyme disease as much either.

Permetherin repels midges on clothing, yes. As midges can't really bite through clothing though, it is really something for your exposed skin you want for midges. Unless you are prepared to completely cover up, that is. Then it wouldn't matter if the clothing was treated for midges or not. I know what you mean though: like a treatment that almost emits something that keeps them completely away from you. So no, it doesn't act like that.

Maybe getting a million midge bites and a bollock set of ticks? 🤔🐾👍 P.s. you wear the shirt by itself: not over a shirt and padded gilet.

🙂🐾👍

Hi Amber, sure, you can DM me on Instagram, Facebook or mail me on my contacts page of my website. 🙂🐾👍

Oft! Pure mingin' so they are! 🤜🕷💥

Hahaha 😂👍

😂

I tried to set aboot 'em wae mah Nunchucks but the are evasive wee gets. 😬

As long as it's a dirty begger! 😂 Aye, I'm more about practicality and function rather than being a fashion hiker will a bollock set full o' ticks, haha! 🐾👍