How to get rid of midges

Although they are effective, before using insecticides try the trusted natural methods. They usually get good results and are much less harmful to the environment.

When midges move in with you, they give you a hard time. Basically, these little flying insects reproduce at a very quick rate; a female can lay up to 300 eggs at a time. Therefore, it is important to try and prevent this from happening.

Midge traps

Place an open bottle next to your kitchen sink or fruit basket with beer or syrup to attract and drown the midges.

Do the same as the previous method but this time with a plateful of cider vinegar mixed with washing up liquid. The midges will be drawn to the sugar, slide to the centre of the plate and drown.

Water-based spray solutions

Place a small plate with half a lemon with cloves inside and the odour will repel the midges from the room.

A spray solution can be made from boiling eucalyptus leaves in water and sprayed directly on to the midges.

Essential oils are very effective and emit a pleasant and fresh aroma: peppermint, geranium and lavender can all be used in a spray or mixed with water.

Protecting your plants

Soil is also a fertile breeding ground for midges. Put a match stick into the soil around the plant (the sulphur will deter the midges).

Spray a mixture of black tea and water or even lemon and washing-up liquid directly on to the plants.

It is possible to get rid of midges outside - here are some simple techniques that will help you to do this:

• Lemongrass smoke coils: placing it in the middle of the table will repel the midges due to the smoke.

• Remove stagnant water: think about emptying buckets full of water and try to prevent puddles from forming.

• Avoid pungent odours: make sure you pick up your dog's waste because midges are attracted to dirt.

• Cover your bins: think about fitting an airtight lid on your outdoor bins.

• Insect-killing lamps: midges are attracted to the blue light that the lamp emits and are killed when they fly towards it and come into contact with it.

The importance of cutting your grass regularly

Use your lawnmower regularly as these bugs lay their eggs in tall grass. Don't leave piles of grass in the garden; the midges will have a field day playing and mating!

If you have a compost tray, make sure it is fully closed and that the content of the tray is mixed regularly to make sure that the compost is even and not emitting any smells that will attract the midges.

1. A clean sink: don't leave food waste or dirty water in the sink which will help deter midges. Keep food in the fridge.

2. Empty the bins as soon as they are full: throw your bins away directly into large waste bins and then disinfect them with bleach or other disinfectant products.

3. A clean and tidy kitchen: clean your work surfaces regularly, also make sure there are no open sugar bags or unsealed biscuit packaging inside your cupboards.

4. Clean your plug holes: midges feed off organic waste and multiply in stagnant water. From time to time you can pour used coffee grounds, soda crystals or bicarbonate of soda down the drain with boiling water (only do this occasionally to reduce environmental damage).

5. A fan is a great ally: by creating a flow of air with a fan, the midges will not come close as they won't be able to fly through the air current.

6. Protect your fruit bowl: if your fruit bowl is infested with midges, put corks inside it. Say goodbye to clouds of midges each time you go to eat some fruit! This method works equally well with unpeeled garlic cloves.

7. Let carnivorous plants help you: as their name suggests they feed on insects. There are many different types, all of which secrete substances that attract insects and when the insects land on them, they capture and eat them.

8. Midge-repelling plants: certain plants repel midges: basil, lavender, elderflower and mint, so get yourself some of these plants for indoors and outdoors.

Adhesive tape and aerosol insecticide sprays

Effective, although not aesthetically pleasing, adhesive strips attract and trap midges. Insecticide sprays are effective but make sure animals are taken outside and food is stored away. These products are much more toxic than the ones discussed before and should be used in well-ventilated rooms.

Large infestations

If you haven't managed to get rid of the midges after trying all of these methods, you will therefore have to resort to using a smoke bomb. Follow these steps:

1. Store all food away and take animals outside.

2. Place the smoke bomb on a chair in the middle of the affected room and set it off (either light the wick or press the button).

3. Leave the house for four hours then air the room for one to two hours.

4. Vacuum clean all the fabric in the room (curtains, rugs...).

With this extreme method, the midges are rapidly exterminated by the smoke.