Garlic may be used as a natural insect repellent.
People use garlic not only for the flavor it adds to food, but also for its medicinal qualities. Garlic has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiprotozoan and insect-repellent properties. A few homemade insect repellents involve the use of garlic. Does this Spark an idea?
Garden Use
Garden sprays that contain garlic extract contain sulfurs that can organically repel various insects on plants. Studies show that garlic oil destroys certain types of mosquito larvae. The smell can also keep mosquitoes away from the area for weeks.
Topical Human Use
Studies suggest that garlic can repel insects when you apply it topically to the skin. A field study in India found that a mixture of 1 percent garlic oil, petroleum jelly and beeswax keeps mosquitoes away for up to eight hours.
Oral Human Use
A Swedish study discovered that eating 1,200 mg of garlic every day for eight to 10 weeks reduces the number of tick bites significantly. A separate study found that a one-time consumption of garlic could not repel mosquitoes.
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