I don't have an answer but if anyone does I'd be glad to hear it - they seem to be everywhere at the moment presumably because of the weather being so mild.

it is because its mild . there is also a lot of ladybirds so its not all bad . id be inclined to keep them of yourself as you cant stop them loitering wear they want to be . they do seam to like still water if that helps or drains . anything with moisture . i watched a program called moonshiners the other day . these are people in the usa making there own corn alchahol which is ilegal so they look for water hidden away in the shade . they coverd the bottle but i recognised it as listerine mouthwash . they put it in a fine spray bottle and sprayed thereselves to stop midges etc . im thinking if they know whats a good repelant then theres a good chance it is .

Make sure you've no standing water anywhere - maybe a pot or bucket or something standing about with water in it, that will attract them, even an overflowing drain or blocked gutter pipe holding water.

great minds bamboo x .