Garlic Found to Have Surprising Effect Against Mosquitoes, Scientists Reveal

Washington (KNN) — A new study by a US university has found that garlic may play a significant role in preventing mosquito breeding and controlling insect populations.

According to international media reports, researchers from a private university in the United States discovered that garlic not only has traditional use as a mosquito repellent but also shows scientifically proven effects in disrupting insect reproduction.

The study identified a compound in garlic called “diallyl disulfide,” which is believed to interfere with reproductive behavior in insects and may help prevent their breeding cycles.

Scientists conducted experiments using 43 different fruits and vegetables, with flies used as a model organism. The results showed that while none of the tested foods significantly increased reproduction, garlic completely blocked mating and egg-laying activity in the insects.

Further research also revealed that it is not only the smell of garlic but its taste-related chemical properties that affect insect behavior. According to researchers, this effect activates a specific receptor called “TrpA1,” which responds to harmful tastes and disrupts feeding and reproduction patterns in insects.

The study further noted that similar effects were observed in various mosquito species, including those responsible for spreading dengue, yellow fever, and Zika virus.

Experts suggested that garlic could serve as a low-cost and widely available natural solution for insect and mosquito control. Professor John Carlson noted that the concept has even been referenced historically in the 1897 novel Dracula.