I guess this Zika thing has people seeking out all kinds of ways to repel personal pests
Last night on the News here they were showing and giving instructions on how to make herbal repellent at home
That is a first for me on the news
While I almost never watch TV I was surprised
They showed how to make three , one had an apple cider vinegar base (also new to me )

Do you use or make herbal repellent?

I just made a batch a couple of weeks ago for friends who are bug magnets. They say it really works for them.
One lady said she usually has a swarm of bugs following her when she mows her yard but after applying the lotion I sent her she only had two sweat bees land and they flew off without biting her.

We use peppermint spray for red wasps- smells good and they hate it.
I have been known to hang a rag soaked in mouthwash to keep skeeters and gnats off my screens- will have to try the vinegar...

A grocery store in San Antonio got really clever and put a lot of big lemongrass plants by the entrance and a big sign...mosquito repellant or mosquito plants, something like that. I watched one woman put 5 of the gallon plants in her cart! I've wondered if adding lemongrass to my tea helps. I've got Swamp Gator Natural Insect Repellent and sometimes add my own stuff with it, too. I cut up artemisia that's overgrown, scatter it around the yard or rub it on me. I used up another herbal spray from some store, don't know where I got it, but hope I can find it again. Found this list of plants that repel in some way, but I don't know, applying garlic to my skin doesn't really appeal to me too much!
http://bestplants.com/plants-t...

Linda here is the list of herbs I used in the bugs away lotion I made for friends who report it really keeps the bugs away
Lemon balm
Mint any kind will do
Lavender
Rosemary
Cinnamon

You could try it as a tea to spray on instead of making a lotion

I am a mosquito magnet. Seriously. Tormented since I can remember...
I have tried EVERYTHING. In my garden; on my skin, and the CLOSEST remedy so far is a commercial product called 'Repel' which contains been oil & lemon eucalyptus.

to the site, Laz! I agree, oil of lemon eucalytus is excellent! As far as oils, I also use lemongrass, Texas cedarwood, cinnamon leaf and citronella java, either added to a commercial spray or I put together my own! Our recent rains gave us a break from the dang skeeters. Last couple of days when I go outside, the skeeters haven't even shown up. But I know, it won't be long until they come back in force, maybe worse than before!

Yup, magnet here too. Basils are helping- they draw the hummingbirds which eat the skeeters! Its supposed to be a repellant also, but I tend to sweat it off too fast... (hummingbird salvias with my basils)