Midgies in top end

Have aread of this, It might help.

All about Sandflies and Biting Midges

Hi Carreen,

If you are geting a hanging mosie net make sure it is an army one. One easy way of telling if it is an army one is the colour. They are, you guessed it.......green. They are also long like a bed and hang above a cot on 4 ties. The civilain ones and not that much clop. Try a good army surplas store or if you know someone in the army they might ste---- one for you.

Great to see such forward planning Careen - you are right to be concerned - being from 'way down south', our first trip up there a few years back was a bit of a challenge, re the insects. A search on this forum will turn up plenty of good advice - apart from the usual prevention measures (nets as you say, plus clothing options and the lotions and sprays, don't forget the antihistamines in case one of your group has a significant reaction. Our biggest learning factor was that when the locals call them "no see-ems" they mean it - you may get bitten and you won't even know, until the lumps come up later.

Carreen,
We use a combination as I seem to be attractive to both midges and mossies.
1. A tropical strength spray for the skin.
2. Mortein coils and Mortein odourless mossie zapper tablets burned over a candle setup.
With me its a case sometimes of using just one solution or all three when they get really bad.
They are all available at supermarkets.
Enjoy your trip.
Jim

As well as anithistamine medication I would suggest you add a good soothing anti septic cream to your first aid kit too. Discuss this with an experienced chemist. As has been said, the worst thing about midgies is that you do not know you are being bitten until the lumps appear! Once the lumps are there if you start to itch it is nearly impossible to avoid scratching! In the tropics any small sores from insect bites etc can quickly get infected and become a serious problem. As ignorant first timers at Rainbow Beach we ended up looking like victims of a ghastly plague! Now we know!
Midgies seem to appear and disappear so a place may have none one year and be infested another year! So you are unlikely to find them everywhere.
Mosquitoes are a more serious health risk really but your nets and window screens plus repellant as required should be fine to deal with them. Lynne

Hi Carreen,have the same issue with my camper trailer,I learnt a trick in Africa when I worked there, we used to soak our mozzie nets in 100% deet solution,then hang to dry, that would sort out the bugs that landed on it and stop them getting thru, but deet can be a bit harsh for some people.when I was working up in the kimberleys an old bushy told me to get some permethrin from the rural supplies and do the same thing with the nets,,it works a bloody treat, its safe for humans (in a dry state)yes I have checked the MSDS for it)the bugs that land on it dont last long, midgies are tiny I know but they have to be pretty good at getting thru the screen without touching or bumping it on the way,which sorts them out.
We live close to mangroves in nth qld and I spray the fly screens with the same stuff, but dont dilute as per directions,stronger the better.
No need to go to the rural supplies shop for this stuff,I have found it at big w in the pestcides section, its called chem spray ant spider killer ,comes in a small bottle with a green box about $10/$12 from memory. have used it on camper screens for past 2years and hasnt affected canvas at all .
Trust me it works ,I am surprised no one else knows about it.
Have an awesome trip up north,just dont forget the bushmans
cheers
ED

Hi Carreen.
I'm a magnet to all those sorts of insects.
I got massacred at Derby out on the pier as the sun was setting & the tide was coming in.
Can't see them but it feels like tiny feathers falling all over you.
I was O.k & wondered what they were.
I had a reaction the next day Hubby didn't.
I what a mess . A mass of little raised pimple like things & with cream colored goo seeping out. I then found out that I was attacked by midges,( the Feathers)
It took 8 months for the last of the bites to go.

I was advised that a month before going back or to anywhere in the tropics to start on a course of vitamin B tablets & stay on then whilst in the areas. I've written down all the recipes for concoctions which I've seen on the Forum.
There was a post about this way back but too late for me! Good luck, just before you buy the tea tree lotion, just make sure you aren't allergic to it. I am.
Take care, safe travels.
Bye for now Ma.