Finnish mosquitoes are legendary. They are huge, aggressive, cunning and hunt in packs.
They lay in wait for you everywhere you go. The forest teems with them, though if you walk very quickly you escape most of them, but the minute you stop they surround you. Everyone here walks in the forest dressed in long trousers and long sleeved shirts regardless of the weather.
By your door they lie in wait, not to pounce on your immediately, but to get inside. Houses here have two doors and in between a small porch where you take off your shoes and hang your hat and coat. The mosquitoes' plan is to get through both doors and then wait until 2am to bleed you dry. You never dally at the door, but move as quickly as possible into the porch. With a bit of luck you have managed to stay ahead. After taking off your shoes and coat you can then check the little porch for any of the airborne rabble. Once clear you open the second door but again moving as swiftly as possible in case you missed one of the monsters.
In a car the procedure is much the same. As soon as you slow down you must wind up the windows because they will surround the car before you completely stop. Again you must be organised before opening the door and you get in and out as fast as you can. Even so the mossies are too quick and there is always two or three that make it inside, but you can usually pick those ones off.
Blessedly insect repellent does work. It is incredibly strong, but despite that the airborne horrors buzz around trying to find a spot you missed.
I watched four young French tourist arrive dressed in t shirts, shorts and jandals and thought to myself 'They won't last long'.
They lay in wait for you everywhere you go. The forest teems with them, though if you walk very quickly you escape most of them, but the minute you stop they surround you. Everyone here walks in the forest dressed in long trousers and long sleeved shirts regardless of the weather.
By your door they lie in wait, not to pounce on your immediately, but to get inside. Houses here have two doors and in between a small porch where you take off your shoes and hang your hat and coat. The mosquitoes' plan is to get through both doors and then wait until 2am to bleed you dry. You never dally at the door, but move as quickly as possible into the porch. With a bit of luck you have managed to stay ahead. After taking off your shoes and coat you can then check the little porch for any of the airborne rabble. Once clear you open the second door but again moving as swiftly as possible in case you missed one of the monsters.In a car the procedure is much the same. As soon as you slow down you must wind up the windows because they will surround the car before you completely stop. Again you must be organised before opening the door and you get in and out as fast as you can. Even so the mossies are too quick and there is always two or three that make it inside, but you can usually pick those ones off.
Blessedly insect repellent does work. It is incredibly strong, but despite that the airborne horrors buzz around trying to find a spot you missed.
I watched four young French tourist arrive dressed in t shirts, shorts and jandals and thought to myself 'They won't last long'.
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