they like O blood more than A blood people. Citronella, lemon grass, some other oils you can use to deter them from you or a room/area. I lived at a place one year that got swarmed with them and didn’t sleep for nights because they were all through the place biting me through multiple layers of covers which i was fully under. Then I learned about the oils and that a good breeze also helps so they can’t attack you. not sure how you would use that for walking the dog, but definitely helps to have fan blowing the air around. some people say garlic pills help, i never tried that.
That is not borne out in our household.
Type A mr. mm gets swarmed and while I get chased, not like him.
My sister thinks blood sugar levels play a role. She’s diabetic and gets swarmed as well.
I also understand that B vitamins are supposed to help.
Know anything that works for those $*@&#*$&# black flies aka punkies, that are out now?