WASHINGTON – After several days of cold and rainy weather, chances are, you’re dreaming of summer.

But even warm, sunny weather has its downsides. For example, mosquito bites.

Researchers say a popular way to keep the pesky insects away isn’t as effective as previously thought.

BBC News reports researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that mosquitoes are put off by Deet, one of the most widely used active ingredients in insect repellents, the first time they experience it because they don’t like the smell.

However, after the first encounter, they are less capable of smelling Deet and are thus more likely to come back and bite you.

WTOP’s Veronica Robinson contributed to this report. Follow @WTOP on Twitter.