'It really does work' - Positive response to Scottish man's new midge fighting machine

After years of unsatisfying results from contemporary products and hours spent cursing the critters on the riverside, Kenneth Roberts decided to start making his own.

The dread of being eaten alive by midges while trying to enjoy Scotland in its rare sunnier months may well be over thanks to a Scottish fisherman’s recent invention.

Kenneth Roberts, 58, from Inverness, is a photographer and has a passion for spending time on the country’s rivers catching fish.

His hobby though comes with the difficult task of battling midges day and night which has given him extensive experience in using a plethora of existing repellents to fight off the pesky insects.

But after years of unsatisfying results from contemporary products and hours spent cursing the critters on the riverside, Kenneth decided to start making his own.

"I’ve probably spent the last four years mixing all sorts of incense to come up with the right combination,” the photographer said, “this one I have really seems to work. And no, I won’t reveal what it is, it’s a secret.”

The ingredients are not marked on the tin, but Kenneth’s product, called the Smokin Midge, is made up of completely natural ingredients according to the fisherman.

Kenneth Roberts, 58, from Inverness, is a photographer and has a passion for spending time on the country’s rivers catching fish.

It works by burning cones inside a tin which he has laced with a special mixture of incense to repel Scotland’s impenetrable midges.

The tin should then be strapped to the appropriate arm to make sure the smoke is blowing downwind from the mouth.

"I usually advise people to wear the product on their arm because midges love CO2 that comes from human’s mouths, and if the smoke is blowing near this, it will mix with the CO2 and put the midges off, that’s the idea anyway.

Healthier than fighting midges off with cigarettes

"Some of the inspiration for this product came from when I used to smoke, and I noticed midges didn’t bother me when I had a cigarette in my mouth, but they always traced me as soon as I finished it.

"The same happened to my friend who smoked about three a day, but when he came fishing, he would smoke 20 a day because he knew it would help fight off the midges.

"I like to think that the Smokin Midge is a much healthier solution to repel them!”

Huge demand

After selling a few of his products last year, Kenneth said customers seemed to take to it, and he planned to get his business up and running just before lockdown.

Despite thinking his production would be put on hold during the pandemic, demand increased and since May he has sold about one thousand of his midge-defying magic tins.

"I am working non-stop,” Kenneth said, still sounding a little stunned by the recent surge in sales.

"I thought during lockdown it would all come to a standstill, but because of the uptake in gardening and camping, and the fact that people are still allowed to do activities such as fishing, the demand is huge.

"I have had several requests from campsites, fishing shops and tourists shops but I just can’t do bulk at the moment. I am working all through the night so just supplying individuals but I will get there, I am getting more people on board to help.”

Kenneth said the demand has been huge since the midges arrived in May, but fortunately for him the pests will disappear soon until next year giving him time to prepare his products for next years customers.

Good reviews

Reviews on the Smokin Midge’s Facebook page have been flooding in since May as 2020 has been reported as one of the worst years yet for midges.

Joy Reece said: “I live in one of the worst areas for midges, cleggs and mosquitos and this is the best deterrent I have tried ever. Fishing is a pleasure and sitting with the dogs nearby is easier so I recommend this to all who enjoy outdoor pursuits.

"Tin can get a little warm but a great device.”

Another happy customer Scott Tully said: “I bought mine last year, great bit of kit. Does exactly what it says on the tin!

I have tried all sorts of midge sprays, and potions in the past but nothing has worked as well as The Smokin Midge. This is a must for all."

Kenneth said among the 1,000 tins he has sold so far, only three people have sent it back saying it was unsatisfactory.

"I am really pleased it seems to be helping people because I know what it’s like when you are trying to garden or fish and you are bombarded with the beasts,” he added.

"I am surprised no one has come up with this solution before to be honest because it’s not rocket science, but it seems to do the trick."

Cost and longevity

The Smokin Midge costs £19.95 which includes 50 cones for burning and each cone lasts about 30 minutes.

"Normally what I do is wait for about ten minutes while I am out until the midges have traced me, then I burn one of the cones, then once the cone burns out, I’d say you have about another ten minutes before they find you again, so all in all you have about 50 minutes midge free per cone!”

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