I will be honest, no, I have never found a homemade natural concoction that can stand up to the blood suckers we have here.
As a matter of fact, about 3 weeks ago, one of the mosquitoes got me at a car wash, where I was helping my husband detail his truck, I forgot to take spray and ended up with my legs and ankles, eaten up.
I did not even realize I was scratching one of my legs so badly, that I actually ended up with a huge scrape on my shin, that ended up infected and I had to go on heavy duty antibiotics! I still have a terrible thick scab on the my leg.. Not pretty.
At our child's daycare they used to use natural vanilla extract with water to make a spray and that worked pretty well.
I have a sensitivity to strong odors, Avon''s skin so soft gives me migraines
So I have had to make the decision to either, spray the chemicals on me, or totally spray down our yard.
I also do special events and there is no better way to have people leave early than to have then fighting off mosquitoes, so again, I usually spray down the yard.
I use this product. It really works, but you MUST follow the directions. I can spray this and for months, not have a problem. "Cutter Backyard spray". You attach it to a water hose.
Do this days before an event. I usually spray it in the early evening so it can really settle into the yard, all night.
Remember mosquitoes love moist or wet areas. So you must make sure there is no standing water. Also no use spraying up in the air, misquotes breed and live down on the ground, so spray the edges of the yard and house. And around the bottoms of shrubs flower puts, trees etc.
If I am away from home, I have to use commercial sprays, like "Cutter." I spray the creases of my body wear I sweat and places you can find a pulse. Crook of your arm, ankles, neck. Of course you have to remember to take it with you or actually spray it on your body.. learn from my mistake.. ....