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I just returned from a vacation in florida.

I can tell you that skin-so-soft definitely works against no-see-ums (or midges). It doesnt seem to have any effect at all on mosquitos.

I sprayed the oil on a table covered in both mosquitos and no-see-ums. the mosquitos flew away and the no-see-ums all died right where they were.

'flew away' is working, for some values of 'working'

Have you tried Lemon Eucalyptus oil? The CDC (and EPA) seem to support the claim that it is a similar strength as DEET[0].

[0] - http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/r050428.htm

Ha my grandma had that when I was growing up too. We'd spray it on when we went camping. Can't say I've ever known it to work, when we went fishing we'd always lather ourselves in DEET instead.