A KIELDER campsite is tackling its midge problem by using machines to extract thousands of the bugs from the air.

The debug operation at Kielder Village Camping and Caravan site comes after swarms of midges bugged England players 4,360km away in Vologograd, Russia during the World Cup game with Tunisia last Monday.

Yet debug spray wasn’t enough for the players, who found midges in their eyes, ears and mouths during the match.

Determined not to be defeated, manager at the Kielder site, Steve Webb, has brought in three specialist machines to extract midges. The flying bugs are a part of everyday life during the summer months at Kielder, but Steve is hoping to change that.

“The machines are something we are doing to assist customers. Many have complained about the midges and want their money back,” he said.

“It’s a tough nut to break. Midges are present in almost all our reviews, but I feel people are reviewing the site on only one aspect.”

Steve, who has been tackling the problem since he took over at the site five years ago, added: “We needed to do something as best as we could.

“We never hide the fact that midges are a problem here.”

The machines are developed to attract female midges from a large area, and ensure their colonies are significantly reduced. The machine works by extracting midges from the air using a strong vacuum fan.

Steve also plans to purchase more machines in the future to tackle the problem.

One machine is able to fill up overnight, and is capable of covering an area the size of a football pitch. Machines are currently located in prime positions around th site, with one in between the tents.

However, the machines don’t come cheap, at between £700-£800 each.

“So far the policy is working. We have devoted followers from the local area who are fully behind the midge removal plan,” Steve said.

The campsite also offers various repellent products to customers to prevent bites.