YOU may have noticed an abundance of midges recently – and here's why.
Scotland is currently in midge season, when the two-winged flies emerge from their underground homes.
When is midge season in Scotland?
Midge season is between from late April or early May until late September or early October, and they are drawn out by certain environmental conditions.
Some years provide better conditions for midges, and their numbers can be higher and they may emerge sooner and go underground later.
They prefer to come out when the amount of light outside is limited – like dawn or dusk, or when there is significant cloud cover.
Midges also like moisture, so humid or rainy days can attract them.
They tend to congregate around wet areas, like marshlands, grasslands, river banks, ponds and lochs.
Wind discourages midges, as if it is too strong they are prevented from being able to fly. Wind speeds of around 5mph reportedly are too much for them.
The west of the Highlands, the islands and parts of the Cairngorms have substantial amounts of midges.
Their bites are generally harmless, although itchy, but if the skin is broken by a bite the wound can get infected.
