Biting Midge Habitat
The biting midge is a problem over most of Scotland, however this problem is shared out unevenly. You're more likely to suffer from midge bites if you're out in their natural habitat. Unfortunately this habitat often coincides with some of the most beautiful partsof the Scottish countryside.Don't let the posibility of midges put you off sightseeing and tourism in Scotland. However if you are going to be visiting a "midge friendly" location then it might be best to stock up on midge repellents, creams etc before you go!
Where Do Midges Live?
Midges can be found almost anywhere in Scotland, however they're usually less common in cities and urban areas. They prefer open land.The ideal habitat for midges is uncultivated open land near water with plenty of shade. Midges like it warm but not too hot, so they tend to avoid the sun if possible. A damp humid atmosphere such as that found near rivers and ponds is a definite plus. Given the abundance of both shade and water in Scotland it's easy to see why the biting midge is so common up here!
For the egg laying part of its life cycle the female midge usually chooses the water's edge, perhaps the bank of a river or a semi-marshy area. When the eggs hatch these areas can be thick with midge larvae which later go on to become clouds of the wee beasties.
Different species of biting midge have slightly different tastes - some prefer gardens, others marshes, etc. Unfortunately one of the nastiest, the Highland Biting Midge C. impunctatus, is also one of the most tolerant in terms of habitat. This vicious wee beastie can be found swarming in almost any shady area near water.