Add This Common Kitchen Ingredient To Your Potted Plants To Help Deter Mosquitos

Adding garlic cloves to your potted plants is an effective and natural way to deter mosquitos and other pests. The strong aroma of garlic is not only delightful in cooking, but also serves as a potent insect repellent. When garlic cloves are placed in the soil of potted plants, they release sulfur compounds as they decompose. These compounds create an unwelcoming atmosphere for mosquitos and many other unwanted insects, making your garden or patio a less appealing environment for them.

Garlic has a long-standing reputation as a natural pest deterrent, which extends beyond just mosquitos. This remarkable bulb can also keep Japanese beetles at bay, which are notorious for damaging various plants. The pungent scent of garlic can repel wasps and even banish lizards, offering an all-in-one solution for pest management. The versatility of garlic makes it an ideal companion plant, as it can protect not only itself but also nearby flora. Using garlic in this manner enables gardeners to cultivate a healthier outdoor environment without the need for chemical insecticides.

To achieve optimal results, it's essential to properly integrate garlic cloves into your potted plants. When planted, garlic can thrive alongside other herbs and flowers, benefiting from the nutrients in the soil while simultaneously enhancing the overall pest control strategy of the garden. Garlic cloves can be placed directly into the soil or used to create a companion planting scheme, offering a dual benefit: protection from pests and the potential for harvesting fresh garlic later.

According to a 2010 study published in the Journal of Applied Entomology, research has shown that the essential oil in garlic contains sulfur compounds that mosquitos, especially the kind that spreads yellow fever, really don't like. In fact, scientists found that mosquitos react to 14 different compounds in garlic oil, with seven of them being particularly effective at keeping them away. 

To make your own garlic mosquito spray at home, start by peeling an entire head of garlic. Place the peeled cloves into a blender or food processor with about 1 cup of water. Blend for about a minute until the garlic is finely pureed. If you don't have a blender, you can also chop or crush the garlic cloves by hand and mix them well with the water. Next, add roughly 3 cups of additional water and 2 tablespoons of liquid soap to the mixture. Blend again for a few seconds to ensure everything is combined, then transfer the mixture into a clean jar.

Let the garlic mixture steep for at least 12 hours so the sulfur compounds have time to fully infuse the liquid. Once it's done steeping, strain the mixture through a muslin cloth or fine mesh strainer to remove any garlic solids. Transfer the garlic solution into a spray bottle and apply it around your potted plants or directly to plant leaves.