While the notion that eating garlic repels mosquitoes is a common belief, the evidence is inconclusive. It's not the smell of garlic on your breath that deters mosquitoes; rather, garlic's antimicrobial properties are the likely culprit.
Garlic's Antimicrobial Properties
Some studies suggest that garlic, like onions and other members of the alliaceae family, contains natural antimicrobial properties that mosquitoes and other pests find unpleasant. These properties are believed to be more effective as a topical repellent than through consumption. The sulfur compounds in garlic are thought to be the active ingredient in repelling insects.
- Topical Application: Crushing garlic and applying it topically might offer some level of mosquito deterrence, although this isn't a widely accepted or proven method.
- Limited Effectiveness: The effectiveness of garlic as a mosquito repellent is not as strong as commercially available repellents. Multiple sources emphasize the limited scientific evidence supporting this claim. For example, ABC News states that while garlic is a "classic" remedy, mosquito control experts find its repellent properties weak. https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/mosquito-mythbusting-real-repellents-stand/story?id=10543307
Myth vs. Reality: Eating Garlic
The idea that consuming garlic will repel mosquitoes is largely a myth. A study referenced by the University of Sydney indicates that eating garlic does not reduce attractiveness to mosquitoes. https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2018/01/09/what-can-i-eat-to-stop-mosquitoes-biting-me-.html While the smell of garlic might temporarily mask other scents that attract mosquitoes, it's not a reliable or scientifically proven method of protection.
Effective Mosquito Repellents
For reliable mosquito protection, consider using EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. These have been scientifically proven to be effective.
