Midges Meet Magnetic Doom

Looks like it could be the beginning of the end for those nasty, blood-sucking horrors north of the border as Scottish scientists begin tests on an awesome midge-killing device.

The 'Midge Magnet' is claimed to be capable of clearing an area the size of a football pitch of midges by first drawing them in with carbon dioxide emissions before eradicating the little blighters with a poisonous spray. The CO2 presumably simulates exhaled air, which as well all know, the midgies just love.

The bad news is that you probably won't be stowing a handy 'Midge Magnet' in your pack just yet; the prototype version measures four foot by three foot... May be in the shops by next summer apparently.

See the Guardian web site for more information.