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7 July 2005
A Scottish company has solved the problems of the dreaded midge by harnessing the power of a tree in India.
NeemCo, which is based in Irvine, spotted the anti-midge properties of the Neem Tree and persuaded experts at the University of Edinburgh to look into its potential as a repellent for the pesky insect.
Researchers found that not only was Neem extremely effective in preventing midges from biting, but it also stopped clouds of them swarming around their victims and adding to the nuisance factor.
The breakthrough will bring relief to thousands of Scots and holidaymakers during the warm, humid summer months, when midges are typically at their worst. Studies have also shown that 49 per cent of tourists who have been troubled by midges in the past say the problem would put them off coming to Scotland again during the summer.
NeemCo has developed a repellent under their India Tree brand and is currently in talks with some major retailers to make the product available to people who want to enjoy the countryside without being driven crazy by midges.
Michael Mason, founder of NeemCo, said: The midge has finally met its match the Neem Tree has been shown to be the most effective midge repellent there is, and its completely natural.
Anyone whos ever tried in vain to escape from clouds of attacking midges and ended up covered in bites, with midges in their eyes, in their mouths and up their noses, can finally enjoy Scotland in the summer without fear of tiny bloodsuckers.
NeemCo also use Neem Tree extracts in a headlice treatment which, in experiments carried out at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, killed 90% of the lice tested within 24 hours. It was also shown to be effective against lice eggs, which often prove resistant to conventional treatments.
The power of the Neem Tree was discovered by a German scientist visiting India, who noticed that a plague of locusts had stripped all trees and vegetation in the area bare leaving only the Neem Tree unscathed.
Neemcos India Tree midge repellent is currently available from the companys website: www.neemco.co.uk
Issued by the BIG partnership on behalf of NeemCo and Nexxus, the West of Scotland BioScience Network.
For more information contact: Bryan Garvie - the BIG partnership
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