Insect- and mite-repellent compositions comprising at least 2 enantiomers selected from the group of 1-[(S)-sec-butyloxycarbonyl]-2-(S)-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperidine (referred to hereinafter as S,S), 1-[(R)-sec-butyloxycarbonyl]-2-(R)-(+)-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperidine (referred to hereinafter as R,R), 1-[(S)-sec-butoxycarbonyl]-2-(R)-(+)-(2-hydroxyethyl) piperidine (referred to hereinafter as S,R), 1-[(R)-sec-butyloxycarbonyl]-2-(S)-(+)-(2-hydroxyethyl) piperidine (referred to hereinafter as R,S), excluding the racemate mixture thereof.