Natural Garlic Repellent Insects, Mites & Diseases Reviewed by Expert Patrick Parker, Director of Plant Health Care Garlic Successful as Natural Insect Repellent Garlic has been useful as a spice for a very long time, and it is often utilized for an ever-growing list of curative properties. However, the most interesting use for garlic may not be the most well known. Garlic makes a powerful natural insect repellent. Garlic can be used to repel a variety of crawling and flying insects, including mosquitoes,” according to Patrick Parker , SavATree Plant Health Care Program Director. One treatment with garlic is effective for 2 weeks and can repel insects for up to one month. Moreover, garlic is easy on the environment. Parker states, “It is a natural extract and does not affect insects that are beneficial to suburban landscapes.” Garlic bulbs contain an amino acid that converts to a substance called allicin when crushed, blended or chopped. The characteristic odor released as a result of this process has powerful properties. “When garlic extract is absorbed by a plant, biochemical changes take place in its foliage which cause it to actively repel insects,” says Parker, “In short, plants are provided with a long-lasting case of ‘garlic breath’ that causes insects to move elsewhere.” However, the treatment is odorless to humans within minutes of application. Insects are naturally repulsed by the presence of the botanical extract. Therefore, they do not build up a resistance to garlic treatments. Garlic can also be applied to many sensitive trees, shrubs and turf that traditional treatments would harm. Parker added, “I get excited whenever a natural solution produces results that are effective enough to compete on a large scale with synthetic products.” Contact us today to schedule a consultation with an expert arborist.