No-see-ums are most often a type of midge with a rather short lifespan. The larvae need moisture (not necessarily water) to survive so keeping things dry should be sufficient to remove the problem in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, use a repellant like DEET to keep them at bay. There is also an organic repellant, Mozzy-Off, made from plant oils that can be just as effective and not the irritant DEET is to some folks. It sounds like you had an allergic reaction to the bites - typically they are more of a nuisance than than a real problem insect. Anti-inflammatories will relieve pain and a hydrocortisone topical cream will reduce itching. You may want to check with your doctor if the symptoms persist -- your reaction sounds atypical.

If you have told us that these insects are biting you or harming your plants, I am not 'hearing' you. A better description would help us narrow the options down. There are many different kinds of swarming, non-biting gnat type insects by the way. They would be considered a nuisance rather than a pest. Certainly not worthy of spraying.

I use Dr Bronner's peppermint soap to kill aphids and I actually just used it to give my dog a bath and kill fleas. It has real peppermint oil in it which is what kills bugs. It has killed every bug I've used it on so far and is food and animal safe. I also use it to wipe down counters and the fridge. Smells good, and works! I was the only apartment that didn't have ants inside once I figured it out. I usually mix a couple table spoons in a large spray bottle and just go at it. You could just use peppermint oil if killing bugs is your only goal. I use the soap on myself and my house.

I don't know if it will allow me to post something again, but will give it a try. Here's what I found out about gnats. GNAT: common name for any one of a number of small, fragile-looking two-winged flies of the suborder Nematocera, order Diptera, which includes the families Tipulidae ( crane flies ), Bibionidae (hairflies), Ceratopogonidae (biting midges ), Chironomidae (true midges), Cecidomyidae (gall midges), Simuliidae ( black flies ), Culicidae ( mosquitoes ), and others. They often assemble together in large mating swarms. In England mosquitoes are called gnats; in the United States it is chiefly the smaller forms of Diptera, especially irritating because of their great numbers and their vicious biting habits, that are referred to as gnats. All gnats have long, hairlike antennae, which are particularly well-developed in the males. Gnat larvae are free-living, most feeding on plants. Larval plant feeders, e.g., the Hessian fly larvae, cause root, stem, and leaf galls to be formed by the host plant. Some species of fungus gnats (families Mycetophilidae and Sciaridae) are very common pests of mushrooms and roots of potted plants in homes and greenhouses. One group of dipterans (family Chloropidae) of the suborder Cyclorrhapha are commonly called eye gnats, or eye flies . Gnats are classified in the phylum Arthropoda , class Insecta, order Diptera. One particularly charming article said that they can fly in your eyes or ears, up your nose, or in your mouth. How well I know. Thanks for reminding me!! I also found what may be a useful page for assorted sprays (pyrethrin, permethrin, etc) and dusts for control over assorted lengths of time. Some are safe for use in veggie gardens, and all are safe for people and pets as soon as they have dried. Some come with a hose-end attachment as well. Hope it might help. pat Here is a link that might be useful: Gnat control