Garlic is the vegetable which has a rather specific smell, but what on Earth can’t you do to protect yourself from buzzing bloodsuckers? Does garlic repel mosquitoes? Let’s see if it’s worth it.
Can You Get Rid of Mosquitoes With Garlic Or How To Deal With Annoying Insects?
- Garlic is an effective repellant due to its sulfur compounds.
- There are quite a few options for its use, ranging from eating raw garlic to various oils and sprays.
- The effectiveness of garlic has been proven by scientific experiments. It works not only against mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes are one of the natural disasters in the summer and are often referred to as pests. The World Health Organization consider them the deadliest animals on the planet because of the diseases they carry. More than 3000 mosquito species are found globally. No matter if mosquitoes carry disease in your area, their bites are unpleasant, itchy and potentially allergenic. Accordingly, the issue of protection against these insects is quite relevant in the warm season.
Does Garlic Repel Mosquitoes And Why?
Garlic works well as a natural insect repellant for people, brittle trees, bushes, and lawns that traditional chemical treatments can harm. It is a natural compound that is effective enough to compete with some synthetic products since it contains the amino acid alliin.
When a clove of garlic is crushed, chopped, or finely cut, the enzymes convert alliin to the sulfur compound allicin. This cleavage product does not only give garlic its characteristic features but also has some specific properties. Thus, some people, insects and animals do not like the smell of garlic and therefore stay away because allicin is associated with potential danger for mosquitoes and could even be deadly for some of their types.
How To Use Garlic To Repel Mosquitoes
There is quite a challenge on how to get rid of mosquitoes with garlic.
- It is widely believed that eating garlic can repel mosquitoes, but studies have not confirmed this. When garlic enters our body, allicin — an active substance with a pungent odor — begins to emerge through the skin pores along with sweat and repel insects.
- Eating plenty of freshly ground raw garlic can protect you from mosquitoes, both from breath odor and from sulfur compounds excreted through the skin. However, the only way to eat that much raw garlic is to chop it up and eat it with spoons which might not be an option for social situations or could cause heartburn.
- There are also garlic pills to repel mosquitoes. They come in several options: the first is pills that are taken an hour before the expected contact with mosquitoes, and the second is accepted throughout the season. Application schemes are described in the instructions, and you can purchase the pills at the pharmacy.
- Garlic powder also works well against mosquitoes. It can simply be eaten, but as with fresh garlic, you will need a fairly large amount. It’s better to mix it with vegetable oil and rub it into the skin before going outside or burn it like incense.
- Let’s see how to use garlic to repel mosquitoes. Rubbing garlic oil into the skin seems like a better solution than mosquito repellent. Garlic oil also has a soothing and antibacterial effect, making the skin softer and smoother.
- To make a natural repellant, mix 2 chopped garlic cloves with 250 ml of vegetable oil in a glass. Sunflower or olive oil are considered neutral oils and could be used for the purpose. Let the mixture stand overnight so that the oil can absorb the smell of the garlic.
- Garlic tablets to prevent mosquito bites also work. They need to be burned like incense. The main thing is not to use the tablets indoors, this method is only for open spaces. A dried garlic or its peel can be a good substitute for it at home.
- Let’s talk about how to make garlic spray for mosquitoes. Everything is quite simple: you need to crush or finely chop a clove of garlic into 1 cup of hot water, let it brew for 12 hours, and you’re done. Pour it into a spray bottle and apply every few hours while walking in the park or forest.
- In addition, you can sprinkle the area with finely chopped garlic — then mosquitoes will never fly up not only to you but also to your house. Garlic tea, for example, is a well-known home remedy for pests such as aphids, fungus gnats, ants, and even voles.
Is It Effective?
Scientists continue to conduct research on the effectiveness of garlic as a repellant. At the moment, there is still a debate about whether garlic kills mosquitoes. However, all the studies have shown its effectiveness as a repellant. In addition, on an industrial scale, garlic-based sprays and repellent oils are produced and can be easily bought in stores and pharmacies.
FAQ
How much garlic do I need to keep mosquitoes away?
It all depends on how often you use garlic and what method you have chosen for yourself. On average, from one clove to 1 head.
Does eating garlic keep bugs away?
Yes, garlic is an effective insecticide against, for example, aphids, the Colorado potato beetle, and some caterpillars.
Is Onion a mosquito repellent?
Yes, because onions also contain allicin, one of the most common substances in mosquito repellants.
Does Garlic Repel Mosquitoes?
Garlic as a mosquito repellent is used widely and variably. This vegetable, despite its pungent smell, can become your true friend in the fight against mosquitoes. There are many options for use which you may choose according to your taste. By the way, are you confused by the smell of garlic or are you ready to try it as a repellant?
Also read:
- How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes
- Does Lemongrass Repel Mosquitoes
- Does Lemon Repel Mosquitoes
- Does Incense Repel Mosquitoes
- Does Garlic Repel Mosquitoes
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