I'm currently living in an area of the world where mosses are very active, and bring their associated risks of dengue and chickungunya fevers. I detest DEET, and try to avoid applying it to my skin wherever possible. Over time, and as my skin has darkened, with low grade daily exposure to the sun, I am less sensitive to mossie bites, but always make sure I am wearing preventative solutions. Always.
Because of our dislike of DEET, we have sort of developed a home brew anti mossie solution, which works for us. In a 100ml spray top bottle, add 15ml citronella oil, 15ml tea tree oil, 15ml polysorbate 20 ( which isn't essential, but holds the oils in a more even suspension), and top up with water. If we are actively being bitten still, we would add a splash of Dettol or Savlon to the bottle, just to aid any scratched sites. The measurements are all rough, but work for us. Oils can be bought at the chemist or on the internet, but essential oils only, or they will already be diluted. The solution isn't fragranced, but smells lightly of citronella, which neither of us find unpleasant. Too heavy handed with the Dettol, and one smells like a hospital.
In the early days here, I also used to start on a slow release anti-histamine tablet on the long haul flight, which dampened down any flaring reaction to bites, and reduced any infected sites to virtually zero, as they just didn't itch. I don't do that any more.