Garlic Mosquito Repellent: How to Use Liquid Garlic to Keep Mosquitoes Away?

Will garlic repel mosquitoes?

Yes, garlic will repel mosquitoes as it contains sulfur compounds, more specifically allicin that is released when garlic is crushed or chopped. When the compound is released, it has a very strong smell which conceals human smell and hence makes it hard for mosquitoes to find their hosts. There are a number of studies including one that is published in the Journal of Vector Ecology which shows that repellent actions of garlic can last several hours like some synthetic options such as DEET.

However, applying garlic oil may cause some repellent effects on skin, it has been shown in some studies that consuming garlic does not decrease the attraction to mosquitoes. Thus, the good news about garlic is that since it seems to be a natural mosquito repellent, if used, should be applied and not taken.

Garlic – A natural repellent for mosquitoes

Making use of liquid garlic to keep mosquitoes away is not new. Our ancestors from last generations were using garlic juice made by crushing garlic cloves to repel many pests and insects. Garlic juice contains allicin and sulfur in form of various diallyl sulfide compounds, which are repellent to mosquitoes.

The characteristic odor of garlic makes it a powerful insect repellent which also repels mosquitoes. The garlic being natural and environment friendly causes no harm to humans and pets.

How liquid garlic repel mosquitoes?

Garlic contains sulfur compounds which releases strong pungent odor that is highly unpleasant for mosquitoes. When applied or sprayed at outdoor spaces like garden, flower beds, grasses and lawn, they creates a barrier that mosquitoes find difficult to invade and hence they avoid garlic sprayed areas.

This strong odor from garlic interferes with the olfactory senses of mosquitoes and disrupts their ability to smell the body odor and carbon dioxide of their hosts.

Why should we use liquid garlic mosquito repellent?

The garlic mosquito repellent is preferred due to many reasons like:

• It is natural, chemical-free and eco-friendly
• It is safe for pets and humans
• Homemade garlic sprays can be prepared at home and used
• It is cost-effective

Process to make liquid garlic for mosquito control

How to make garlic spray for mosquitoes?

Follow the step-by-step process given below for making home made liquid garlic mosquito repellent spray:

Step #1: Prepare the Garlic solution

• Crush 10 to 12 cloves of garlic and blend it
• Steep the crushed garlic in 4 cups of water for several hours
• Now strain and transfer it into a container

Step #2: Dilute the Garlic concentrate

• Dilute the above garlic concentrate in 1:3 ratio with water
• Make up the volume an dfill it in a spray bottle for final use

Step #3: Treatment / Application

This spray solution of liquid garlic mosquito trepellent can be used at different places to keep mosquitoes away:

• Spray the garlic solution around the sitting areas and patios, flower beds, tall grasses, shrubs and bushes and any other mosquito prone areas in your garden and backyard.
• Spray around decks and barbeque table, outdoor lights, trash cans, chicken coops, and inside your garage and basement.
• Do not spray directly in birdbaths and ponds, as it may harm the fish, frogs, birds and other useful insects.

Step #4: Repeat as needed

• The impact or the effect of garlic may subside soon and may not lasts longer than a week or two. So you may need to reapply after every 10 to 12 days.
• Excess watering in lawns and rainfall may wash away the garlic spray and therefore need to apply again.

How to use garlic to keep mosquitoes away?

Garlic can be used in following ways to repel mosquitoes:

• Garlic juice or extract can be used as mosquito repellent sprays as discussed above.
• Garlic plants can be grown side by side with other garden plants as well as mosquito repellent plants, which gives an improved overall mosuito repellent effect.
• Garlic extract are infused directly while making candles along with lavender or lemongrass essential oil to give mosquito repellent effect.
• Garlic extract can be used directly on plants. According to Patrick Parker, Director of SavATree Plant Health Care Program, “When this garlic extract is given to plants they absorb it and undergoes biochemical changes in its foliage which is responsible for making the plants as active insect repellents. The garlic-breath from the treated plants causes insects to avoid coming near to them. This treatment can last upto 2 weeks and can repel insects, including mosquitoes for upto a month”
• There are certain claims made for adding garlic as a part of regular diet to keep mosquitoes away. Although no scientific proofs were available, but It is believed that eating raw garlic cloves or drinking fresh garlic juice can change the chemical composition of ones’s sweat and body odor which helps in repelling mosquitoes.

Garlic mosquito repellent for indoors

Garlic infused candles with a blend of lavender oil can provide effective mosquito repelling action when placed indoors and inside your home. It releases a mild scent of lavender with a subtle garlic smell that repels mosquitoes without any unpleasant or foul smell.

The garlic juice or liquid garlic extract can be mixed with cleaning agents for cleaning the indoor surfaces like kitchen floors and window panels.

Alternative uses of garlic in pest control

It is useful in repelling other pests and insects like ticks, ants, aphids, etc. It can be sprayed directly on garden plants to protect them from insects and pests without using any harmful and costly pesticides.

Garlic can also be grown or planted near crops to prevent insect infestations in farms by repelling pests and maintain overall plant health.

Conclusion

Garlic is a natural and effective mosquito repellent and is a safer alternative to chemical based insecticides like DEET and permethrin. With regular application garlic can be used as a promising and reliable alternative for people seeking natural mosquito control solutions.

Best garlic spray for mosquitoes are the ones that are homemade. These garlic mosquito repellent sprays are fresh, more effective and are easy to prepare and apply. When used in combination with other mosquito repellent plants, it allows you to enjoy at outdoor spaces without any fear of mosquito bites.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)