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try a little device called Therma-Cell. They sell them at most outdoor stores including wal-mart. It works better than anything I have found. It is portable so use it in the woods when camping, hiking, fishing, etc. and it also keeps flies away.
I moved from IL so SoCal in 1993. I knew the weather was better, but the best surprise was when I found out we don't have mosquitoes! (no fresh water lying around for them to breed in)-geekd
I still don't understand why SoCal does not have mosquitoes - SoCal certainly has yards with fresh water lying around for them to breek in. :-?