## 1 Introduction  
Insect bites, particularly those inflicted by mosquitoes, pose not only discomfort but also significant health risks due to the transmission of life-threatening diseases. Vector-borne viral diseases resulting from insect bites contribute to the morbidity and mortality of thousands annually, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), not accounting for malaria [1]. Mosquito species in particular (e.g., _Aedes_ spp., _Anopheles_ spp., and _Culex_ spp.) are vectors of viruses and parasites, causing lymphatic filariasis, dengue, malaria, and West Nile fever, among other diseases [1]. Over 60 mosquito species that have been identified in Greece, but the most frequent are _Culex_ spp., _Aedes_ spp., and _Anopheles_ spp. [2]. In the absence of vaccines for most of these diseases, prevention through insect bite-avoidance measures becomes imperative. Strategies for prevention may be implemented by environmental interventions such as spraying areas where mosquitoes are found and eliminating stagnant water; residential measures like installing screens on windows and doors, employing fans or air conditioners, and using mosquito nets during sleep; as well as personal protection measures such as wearing appropriate clothing and applying insect repellents [3]. Insect repellents play a pivotal role in modern prevention strategies against diseases transmitted by insect bites [4]. These repellents are usually mixtures of substances, characterized by their high volatility and lipophilicity, offering an effective means to prevent disease transmission [5]. Based on their mechanism of action, insect repellents are divided into (i) \"true\" insect repellents that prevent the contact of the insect with the skin, (ii) those that remove insects after first making direct contact with them, (iii) deterrents that prevent an insect process such as blood intake, (iv) odor-masking agents that make humans less attractive to insects, and (v) visual factors that inhibit insect attraction through visual messages [4]. Currently available insect repellents are either synthetic or plant-based. Chemical repellents, such as N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET), ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate (IR3535), N,N-diethyl phenylacetamide (DEPA), 3-phenoxyyl (1 RS,3 RS;1 RS,3 SR)-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethyl-cyclopropencarboxylate (permethrin), and hydroxethyl isobutyl piperidine carboxylate (icaridin), are produced extensively, given their pivotal role in preventing arthropod bites in endemic regions. However, despite their effectiveness, classic chemical repellents like DEET and IR3535 are associated with high toxicity both for humans and the environment, necessitating cautious use [5; 6]. Moreover, prolonged use has led to the development of resistant strains, posing ecological challenges [7]. Consequently, attention has shifted toward plant-based repellents as natural alternatives to mitigate these drawbacks [7]. Plant-based repellents, with a history spanning centuries, offer safer alternatives to their synthetic counterparts, being perceived as environmentally friendly and less harmful to humans. Recent years have witnessed a growing interest in these repellents due to their efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and consumer preference for natural products [4]. Plant-based protection methods range from burning plant materials for smoke generation to using indoor plants and incorporating essential oils into topical preparations. The mechanism of action of essential oils relies on the binding of their chemical compounds to odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) at insect antennae, eliciting repellent effects [8]. Lavender (_Lavandula angustifolia_, Lamiaceae) essential oil (INCI _Lavandula angustifolia_ oil), for instance, has demonstrated comparable efficacy to DEET in repelling insects, making it a common ingredient in insect repellent formulations [7; 9; 10; 11]. Similarly, clove (_Syzygium aromaticum_ (L) Merr. [PERSON], synonym: _Eugenia carophyllus_ ([PERSON].)