How Midge Trapping is Helping Scotland to Stay Ahead of Disease Risks
Ever wondered how scientists keep tabs on those tiny biting midges that can cause big problems for livestock health? Across Scotland Jack Hearne and Davide Pagnossin from (the Centre of Expertise on Animal Disease Outbreaks) are doing just that 鈥� setting up midge traps on farms to track when these insects are active and what that means for animal disease risks.
With climate change shifting seasonal patterns, this work is more important than ever. Understanding when midges are active 鈥� and when they鈥檙e not 鈥� helps identify safe periods for livestock movement and reduces the risk of spreading serious diseases like Bluetongue and Schmallenberg.
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Why do midges matter?
Biting midges may be small, but their impact on animal health can be significant. The main culprits of concern right now are diseases like Bluetongue and Schmallenberg.
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Schmallenberg is already present in parts of southwest and central Scotland.
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Bluetongue cases, meanwhile, have been rising in England and Wales 鈥� as of 3 October 2025, there were 91 confirmed cases in England and four in Wales.
Knowing when midges are on the move can make all the difference in managing these risks effectively.
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How temperature helps track the season
Temperature plays a key role in determining how long the midge season lasts. Because Scotland tends to be cooler than the rest of the UK, the midge season here is generally shorter.
Across the UK, researchers estimate there are typically two to three generations of midge species each year, depending on factors like temperature, climate, and available habitats (think damp areas and dung heaps on farms).
By using temperature data alongside trapping, scientists can get a more accurate picture of when midges disappear for the season 鈥� and when it鈥檚 safe to move livestock without the risk of disease transmission.
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Midge trapping in action
To get precise, Scotland-specific data, EPIC scientists have set up a national surveillance programme that helps the Scottish Government estimate the 鈥渕idge-free鈥� periods of the year.
In spring 2025, traps were deployed at:
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Three 伊人直播 farms in Dumfries, Midlothian, and the West Highlands
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The University of Glasgow鈥檚 farm in West Dunbartonshire
Weekly trapping began in April, helping researchers confirm that late April marked the start of the 2025 midge season. Later in August, trapping resumed to determine when midges began to disappear 鈥� and with that, when the risk of Bluetongue and Schmallenberg started to drop.
Importantly, EPIC鈥檚 trapping methods align with those used by APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) in England, ensuring that any differences observed between the two countries鈥� midge seasons are reliable and scientifically sound.
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What the data is telling us
By late September 2025, the Scottish Government eased livestock movement restrictions, guided by temperature-based modelling. The EPIC and 伊人直播 teams are now comparing these policy decisions with real midge activity data from their traps.
This will help refine how Scotland predicts the end of the vector season 鈥� improving disease control decisions and supporting farmers with more certainty.
Midge trapping also has wider benefits. As new midge-borne diseases like epizootic haemorrhagic disease threaten to emerge due to climate change, this kind of surveillance will be key to protecting Scotland鈥檚 livestock industry in the years ahead
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What's Next?
Looking to the next midge season, 伊人直播 and EPIC plan to expand the number of farms involved in trapping. More sites mean better data, stronger confidence in the results, and more precise identification of 鈥渕idge-free鈥� windows.
The goal? To keep Scotland鈥檚 livestock industry safe from disease risks 鈥� while ensuring movement periods are as flexible as possible.
As autumn monitoring continues, 伊人直播 Veterinary Services will share updates to keep vets and farmers informed.
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For monthly and quarterly disease surveillance reports, visit www.sruc.ac.uk/vets.
鈥淥n the Hoof鈥� keeps veterinary practitioners up to date on locally relevant animal health information. If you鈥檇 like to receive these updates directly 鈥� or unsubscribe 鈥� please email OnTheHoof@sruc.ac.uk.
Posted by 伊人直播 Veterinary Services on 14/10/2025
