Club 80-90 Forums

After a recent trip to Scotland, I noticed there seemed to be a few insects inside the van. It got me thinking to whether they could be coming in the vents while travelling and what could be done to stop it.

Don't go to Scotland!
If it is the midges you will be hard put to stop the little blighters. Midge proof mesh will keep them out but will soon clog with road dust etc. I never used to use the vents but relied on fresh air via the windows which I made midge proof screens for. The little sods still bit me to ribbons once getting out of the van though.

Hahaha, I was forced there to attend a wedding. Scenery was nice though.
I was thinking about some sort of mesh, but like you say the concern was about how often it'll need cleaning. It wasn't a major problem, just an annoyance.

Citronella candles can provide a good deterrent if you accept that there is no way to stop them all getting in. We use those cheap wee tin later s with a citronella tea light in. Also if you have an awning then an insect repellant coil can work well. And if you can keep them out, there’s Avon Skin So Soft, or any number of proprietary anti mozzy lotions, sprays, and finally a midge net.

Or just stay away from the beautiful Highlands...

A bug zapper also helps to catch those that make it past all physical barriers. I have a 6v battery-powered one (below) that I have since converted to run off the leisure battery. Seems to finish the little blighters off.

Is it good for midges though? Usually anything smaller than a mozzy has to do gymnastics to get themselves zapped.

Seems to work well in the evenings, and certainly overnight everything makes a beeline for it. Its better than that high frequency noise you suddenly hear when you're under the duvet.

Ralph

Don't confuse the mozzies that we get down here with the nano beasties that plague parts of Scotland for some of the year. They hunt in clouds, get through normal insect mesh, and make the camping/outdoor life utterly unbearable. Having had them ruin a tour of the highlands a few summers ago, I've vowed only to go back out of midge season.

Avoid Scotland seems to be the most effective solution

CovKid wrote:Avoid Scotland seems to be the most effective solution

Suits the rest of us. Any other nice places we should ask people to avoid? I’ve heard the Lake District is full of big hills that wreck engines, while Northumberland has castles that can drop bits on vans...

Sliding door and tailgate nets are available, an absolute godsend when its hot .. we have often slept with sliding door open as the netting does give some privacy and comfort.

Martin

Are they midge proof though? If not they are a waste of time in Scotland, the midges go straight through standard netting.

I've had them coming in the vents too, On night near Appin when we had to decamp at 4AM with the windows open and the fan on full to clear them.
Never found a really good solution though.

They're attracted to CO2 so don't use the propex if you have one.
Avoid parking in damp shady spots with lots of vegitation nearby.
If you can find a slight breeze that's enough to keep them down.

Best bet is to just have a wife who’s a kinda lightening rod.

Only surefire method is to go outside of midge season.