Methods for repelling flying or biting insects from an area, a human, or an animal subject are provided. The methods include treating the area, or applying to a subject or to a device worn by the subject seychellene, .alpha.-guaiene, and .alpha.-bulnesene, or a mixture thereof. Additional compounds including .beta.-caryophyllene, isocaryophyllene, .beta.-caryophyllene oxide, .beta.-caryophyllene ketone, .alpha.-humulene, .beta.-patchoulene, .alpha.-patchoulene, .beta.-elemene, (+)-longipinene, (-)-isolongifolene, (+)-longifolene, and linalool, clove oil, and/or patchouli oil may also be used.