We’re lucky in Scotland to be home to some of Europe’s most magnificent animals – playful otters, cute red squirrels, elusive wildcats, regal red deer and majestic golden eagles.
Unfortunately it’s also home to an estimated 180,750 trillion Highland Mid ges, each one capable of giving a painful and itchy bite.
As if that isn’t bad enough, they tend to hunt in packs, with thousands descending from seemingly nowhere to feast on your skin.
There are numerous hints and tips to stop becoming their next victim, but there are plenty of other interesting things about the flying menace.
Here are 10 midge facts you might not know.
9. A high cost
An estimated 20 per cent of working forestry days in Scotland are lost because of clouds of biting midges chasing away workers - while the clouds of biting bugs are estimated to cost the tourist industry in Scotland around £268 million a year by similarly driving visitors away. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
10. Quick hatchers
Midges mate during the summer months and, once the eggs have been layed in boggy ground or vegetation, the adult insect hatches in less than 24 hours. Photo: Contributed