Six years ago when I had discovered Anthisan bite cream, I had been out rambling with a couple of friends and we happened to pass a garden centre built into our favourite reserve. The centre had laid dormant for a year until a new buyer came in as the previous owner had run it down to the point that the windows had caved in and we often found the building to be a temporary dry off area whenever a storm came by, often bringing out the midges! The centre had a wonderful cafe that offered yummy home baking against the mass tradition of tray bakes sourced from companies like Costco and Makro (you can always tell the professionals from the amateurs by the baking!). We were eager to take a rest anyway as it was mid afternoon and the midges were quite bad.
A friend of mine pointed out a gift shop whereupon my eyes were drawn to natural honeycomb beeswax unscented candles that were unusual looking and this product, Eureka Midge Repellent. If you are a native in Scotland, there are three stalwart products you use for midge repellent - the unwise and always available poor "Shoo" repellent that makes you smell like you've toppled yourself in original Shake n Vac carpet powder, Citronella wipes for your face that often made my lips tingle and produce a negative effect despite smelling like a lemon for most of the day, or if you are lucky to find a representative, you have stocked up wisely in Avon's Skin So Soft body lotion as there is a particular additive in the cream that wards off midges.
The Product, The Price & The Promise
Whereas Anthisan offers relief AFTER you have been bitten, and Oil of Primrose cream helps get rid of the bite marks on skin (as well as Aqueous and other cream potions), Eureka Midge Repellent is a life saviour and appropriately named! At the time, this product cost £3-99 for a small 50ml bottle and it lasted a good couple of years based on the fact that it is made up of 100% natural ingredients. Now in 2012, the bottle is still 50ml and priced at £7-00 available from the company who make it, www.bitefree.co.uk and up until a couple of months ago when I returned home after working away, I found the same product in my local independent health store, in two versions, "Eureka" original and "Eureka" sport. Having had the original formula before, I bought one of each of the products, the "Sport" edition being the same as the original, but allows you to use in wet situations - like walking or rambling in the rain!
General Design
The 50ml bottle of Eureka Midge Repellent is obviously quite pricey for the small amount you get on offer here, but it depends on a natural spray mechanism as opposed to an aerosol type dependent on gas to disperse the liquid. Here you get a much safer and traditional "Boots Travel bottle" type bottle which is not clear but white in colour and features a staunch dark pink thistle on its label with the words "Eureka!" in black lettering. A plastic clear pull of top additionally covers the push down spray button for safety and storage.
Being patriotic all of a sudden seems the best way to go methinks!
It is made by a Scottish company, just up the road from me here in Argyll, in a place called Lochgilphead and as well as buying something local from local producers "Eureka!" is a non chemical based product, featuring words of flowers in its contents - you can look up the website if you want to find out all about this product!
It has been marketed as a "Natural Midge Repellent that works!" and looking around the small container where words appear large and small for warnings (there aren't any) this is an ideal spray to consider for all types of people. Why?
• It is very safe to use on children.
• It can be used on any type of skin as it contains no alcohol.
• It contains natural ingredients therefore guarantees good confidence and practise.
The Scent
In some ways "Eureka!" does remind me of Shoo insect repellent on scent but the difference here is that it retains its freshness after a couple of minutes in one application. Yes it is very overpowering once it hits the air but it doesn't take my breath away and the fragrance is extremely flowery and herby. Lavender oil is the key here but as a known flower which sends people to sleep; "Eureka!" doesn't have too much lavender here which masks other fragrant properties. Once applied, the product's scent dies down but it is apparent that it is there. There are also hints of rose water and geraniums, fragrances which are always positive to my nose but for those who don't like flowers and herb smells in general; this could be an off putting factor!
However on the basis that Eureka Midge repellent contains no chemicals, citronella or no alcohol, I think the scent makes up for it and the original formula is ideal for anyone who is sensitive to chemical oils as well as the product being suitable for those with very sensitive skin.
I take the original formula if I'm going out to BBQ's or garden based parties in locations that I know midges will be present. If I know it's going to rain, the Eureka Sport product goes with me instead.
General Performance
The spray can be used on all areas of exposed skin. I found that the bottle disperses a light mist if sprayed four inches away from my body and additionally I sprayed my hair and scalp for ultimate protection. If sprayed directly onto skin, the content hits the skin like water and you have to rub it in before it falls off. The content is a clear water in look nevertheless and I usually spray it on just when I'm about to leave the car to go rambling or walking up hills. The preparation only takes a few seconds to come alive.
In wooded areas and in our garden (where I refuse to cut the grass until the sun dies down and when the midges come out) "Eureka!" appears to keep the pesky blighters away. After an hour though, I found that the strength of the formula needs to be re-applied, especially around exposed parts of skin like my arms and legs. On hair though, the formula has a longer lasting effect and doesn't need to be re-applied unless you think you may need it.
I apply it under clothing where I know I won't be exposing parts of skin outdoors like my legs and ankles, no matter how hot this wonderful summer weather gets to make sure that midges don't come near - past experience when hiking has shown that even midges can get to places you never thought possible!
I've also given this to friends to try and they adore the product too. It is noticeable around the daylight where a cloud of midges come towards you, realise the smell, think twice and suddenly fly off!!
One aspect which I must stress is that if you get this on clothing, it washes off easily and it doesn't stain either; another bonus to its water base and lack of chemicals.
Downsides
The only downsides to this product are that in both cases with the original formula and the Sport formula, the known fact that it does reek of flowery scents can be a downside for people who don't like flowery smells. However when I'm out walking anyway or doing work in the garden, the scent dissipates quickly helped out by the wind battling around your ears or even just a gentle breeze calms down the scent, so it's not as heavy as its initial squirt/spray conveys.
Another aspect is finding this product. I've had to send people a bottle of Eureka in the mail because not many shops stock the product. It is however available to buy off the company website who make this and there are other versions available too - the bottle shown on Ciao's category page, the "Sport" version includes oil for higher resistancy.
Another downside is that I don't know if this would work on mosquitoes. I'm assuming that it would, given that midges and mosquitoes are very similar! My problem was getting rid of midges and this is what this repellent does. On the website however it has been tested and it achieves protection against mosquitoes.
Out of all of this however, Eureka Midge Repellent merely repels the midges - it doesn't help out bites and you may find stinging if you try and spray already bitted, affected areas.
Final Thoughts
Eureka Midge Repellent is a god send to anyone who likes to experience the outdoors, or even has a large garden in which they need to work in and are known to harbour midges. Safe for children and safe for all skin types, Eureka Midge Repellent certainly does what it says on the bottle. The 50ml spray bottle is ideally sized to be popped into a bag or backpack, or hidden in a hidey hole in a car's dashboard and thanks to its all natural properties, this product doesn't have a short shelf life either. Thanks for reading! ©Nar2 2012
http://www.bitefree.co.uk/
Eureka - A Midge Repellent That Works!! 
