can anybody help me with the names of some herbs i can grow to deter insects

garlic and chives

Marigolds, garlic and onions are the standard for deterring insects. I was at Lowe is the other day and they had rosemary for sale. It smelled wonderful and I bet would also make a great deterrent. Get any Rodale book on herbs and using them.
Good luck

Citronella.of course, or citronella grass. It is what is in candles. Another thing you might try is cypress mulch. I remember that at one time while working in L&G at Wal-Mart they used to sell a type of cypress mulch that is sole purpose was to ward off pests.

Mint, yes. But also stinky old fashioned Marigolds, garlic, tansy, yarrow, cat nip, penny royal, nasturtiums, lemon balm & feverfew r some of my favorites. I like to mix them in the rows. There r a lot of good books published by Rodale & others that r probably in the library if u have a local one. Some choices invite benificial insects, some repel the bad guys. Some r even trap crops so u can get all the bad guys in the same place, off ur food to deal with them easily.

mint will deter flyies and mozzies ..
not sure of any others

cheers