Hate citronella smell? No problem! You can still repel insects naturally.

Many people prefer a natural insect repellent, but they dislike the smell of traditional citronella oil. 

Here's the good news.  You have several other effective essential oil choices to repel insects. Lemon eucalyptus (eucalyptus citriadora) is so effective it is recommended by some public health departments as an alternative to toxic harsh chemicals.  Don't let the refreshing lemon scent of this oil fool you.  It really will do the job, though you will have to apply it more frequently than the nasty chemicals.

Essential oil geranium (pelargonium graveolens) is another good choice.  If you read the ingredients on natural insect repellents, you will frequently find this essential oil listed.   If you are making an insect repellent blend, use very little geranium oil relative to lemon eucalyptus.  Try starting with a 6:1 ratio of lemon eucalyptus to geranium.

Another very effective repellent is essential oil catnip (nepeta cataria), though some people find the aroma of catnip oil even less desirable than citronella.  The good news here is that just a few drops of catnip oil in a blend will not markedly affect the aroma, but it may affect the effectiveness of your blend.

So what's the right blend for you?  A lot will depend on the insects in your neighborhood, as well as your own aroma preferences.  You can use your essential oil blend undliluted("neat") if you are diffusing it in an area, putting it on cloth or paper strips to hang around your patio, or putting a drop or two on the underbill of your cap to keep bugs away from your face.

If you prefer to apply your blend to your skin, start by adding about 30 drops of essential oil to each ounce of water in a small spray bottle.  Shake the bottle very well just before spraying.  As with anything you spray on your skin, try a small amount in a limited area to make sure you do not have an unpleasant reaction.  It may take a little time for any reaction to occur. Take care around your eyes and mouth.  See how the blend works for you and adjust your proportions according to your needs.

You can also spray your water-based blend directly on your clothing, though you may want to test for colorfastness in fine fabrics.  Test on a tiny spot on the inside of a hem or other place on the garment that does not show.