How do I protect myself naturally from the no-see-um bug?

the "no see um bugs" are very annoying everywhere even here in the desert,along with "skeeters" we have these horrible biting gnats. No such thing as natural barrier(only screened in porch) for them you can make sprays from these oils and spray around before & while you are sitting outside but they don't last in air falling to ground doesn't help since they are flying insects. Putting them directly on you is best,use 100% pure natural essential oils on you/your skin before you go out & sit Essential Oils That Repel Insects Mosquitoes: Citronella, peppermint, lemon, eucalyptus, basil, clove, thyme, lemongrass, geranium, and lavender;Fleas: Cedarwood, citronella, eucalyptus, tea tree, lemongrass, lavender, orange, and pine;Ticks: Rose geranium, juniper, rosewood, thyme, grapefruit, and oregano. putting the oils directly on you is the most effective way to keep them off of you. You can also plant these plants around but unless you are rubbing them on you then won't really help keep the "skeeters" off of your body.THe plants in your garden areas will keep them from landing on plants but it's the moisture control in your yard that matters more.Don't forget to spray your head ,ears& neck the citronella candles help but mostly in enclosed areas but spending the money on the oil for your skin is more economical.

This is maybe going to sound strange, but I use apple cider vinegar. We have a LOT of bugs in early spring. No see um's are awful here. I wet a cloth with the vinegar and wipe my face and especially my hairline. It really does work, although I smell like a pickle. But I don't want to use bug spray as I don't want the chemicals.

Here are a couple sites with lots of remedies.

https://www.mosquitomagnet.com/articles/no-see-ums-facts

https://www.pestwiki.com/get-rid-of-no-see-ums/

Avon Skin So Soft or vinegar works too.

Johnson and Johnson makes a baby lotion with VitB, E and other additives that bugs hate and it keeps them off. It is very expensive, BUT we found the store brand same baby lotion with Vit E and B in it keeps them off too. It works for all our bugs, maybe it will for your type? Hope this helps Michael