Nexxus Scotland

Scottish midge repellent finds favour in Australia

04 November 2011

An insect repellent developed by Advanced Pest Solutions (APS) for outdoor enthusiasts in Scotland has undergone successful trials in Australia and the company is now looking to appoint distributors there and break into the biting insect market in the southern hemisphere.

Smidge that Midge was originally developed as a "Scottish Solution for a Scottish Pest" but the product's properties have been finding favour around the globe and Scottish Development International is currently helping APS to identify export opportunities. 

Dr Alison Blackwell (pictured centre with Graeme Boyle, Nexxus on left and Till Bachmann, Chair of Nexxus East Steering Group on right), Director of APS which was initially based in Edinburgh and has since relocated to Dundee said, "Since we launched our insect repellent in June 2010, we have been delighted by the interest in it.  Over the past year we have seen an 85% increase in trade sales and the number of retail outlets which now stock the product has increased by 300% to 282, including outlets such as pharmacies, campsites, hostels, hotels, national organisations such as the National Trust for Scotland, outdoor shops such as Tiso and garden centres. 

"We have also completed an agreement to supply Amazon, which is expected to substantially increase online sales, previously only possible through our midge forecast website."

The company's foresight in developing the product, and its subsequent success, saw it receiving the 2011 Nexxus Innovation Award (East) on 3 November at an annual event celebrating Scottish life science expertise.  Director of Nexxus, the networking organisation for Scotland's life scientists, Graeme Boyle said, "Scotland is acknowledged as having some of the most scenic open spaces in the world but people are sometimes put off enjoying them for fear of the dreaded midge.  This product will encourage more tourists, holidaymakers and outdoor enthusiasts to head for Scotland and its hills and will do much to bolster the Scottish economy."

Dr Blackwell said, "Receiving this Award is a great endorsement of our product.  Scientists in Scotland are fortunate in that there is such a supportive environment here with a wealth of agencies and people willing to provide advice and assistance.  We're certainly very grateful for this."

Recent EU legislation to control the use of biocides in the EU has had a marked effect on the insect repellent market with many substances, including essential oils such as neem, citronella and tea tree, being prohibited for regulatory reasons in products making repellency claims.  Smidge that Midge's unique formulation however meets all legislative requirements, is effective, safe, sweat and water resistant and repels not only midges but also other biting insects such as mosquitoes, horse flies, flies, fleas and ticks.

Runners up in the 2011 Nexxus Innovation award were Eulysis for their Single Vial System and UWI Technology for their UWI Label.

For further information contact Jan Clark, Marketing Communications Manager, Nexxus T: 0141 330 1987, E: j.clark@nexxusscotland.com.

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