Disclosed is a method of repelling noxious insects comprising the step of exposing said noxious insects to a composition containing from 0.1 to 90 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition, of at least one of 2-(1-hydroxyalkyl)cycloalkanones represented by the following formula 11:
1
wherein n is an integer of 3-10, R
1
is hydrogen or a straight-chain saturated hydrocarbon radical having 1-6 carbon atoms; R
2
is hydrogen or methyl group and R
m
′ represents m′ of the same or different, straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated, hydrocarbon radicals R which, as a substituent group, can be bonded to carbocyclic atoms; m′ is an integer of 0-8, provided that m′ should be at least 2 when n is at least 4 and both the R
1
and R
2
are alkyl groups; the sum of the carbon atoms of R
m
′ does not exceed 12; and, further, when n is 4, R may be an isopropylidene group which intramolecularly bridges between the third and sixth carbocyclic atoms.