I used to have a huge problem with them (they absolutely love me and I used to bring down all levels of deet spray with very mixed results, always coming home with lots of bites) until I found a blog from a woman in Fl a couple of years ago for a remedy that I swear by now (I might get only a bite or 2 a trip now). I buy this essence of citronella oil and I mix it 1 part to 9 parts vegetable oil and bring it down in a spray bottle. I just spray and rub in from knees down, if I'm going to be on the beach either in the early morning or early evening, and I'm good to go!