A whole range of home remedies are propagated against wasps that rely on a deterrent odor effect. This includes garlic. However, whether the intense smell is actually an effective repellent depends on the situation.
Garlic is not particularly effective at fighting wasps
Notorious smell of garlic
The smell of garlic is like a hot potato. It has been used by us humans for thousands of years and either loved or hated. Garlic is a well-established part of traditional cuisine in many parts of the world, especially in the Mediterranean region.
The typical hot and spicy aroma of the tubers comes from sulphur-containing ingredients that are only released when cells are injured, i.e. when they are crushed or cut. Some people find the aroma very unpleasant - and wasps don't seem to be fans of garlic either. After all, the direction of the smell is completely outside of what they fly to for food reasons: namely, mainly sugary and proteinaceous things.
How to use garlic against wasps?
It is a fact that wasps do not like the smell of garlic. Whether he can effectively keep them away, however, is another matter. In general, the wasp home remedies, which are supposed to act as odor barriers, should be enjoyed with healthy skepticism. Because a wasp worker who has a state with around 7000 animals and has to provide for herself with the strenuous procurement of food, cannot afford to spurn a table full of cakes, open jam jars and grilled meat just because of a slightly disturbing smell.
Spreading sliced garlic across the dinner table is pretty much pointless. On the other hand, where you can use it effectively is in all problematic wasp situations that have nothing to do with your outdoor meals. For example:
- At resting places in the garden
- To prevent wasp nest building
- Against wasp stings
Whether you want to put garlic in a garden arbor or next to the garden bench to protect against wasp visits is of course a matter of taste in the truest sense of the word. The smell will keep wasps away to some extent, as long as there are no sweet smells of flowers or perfume in the air. But you may also be spoiled for peaceful relaxation.
Garlic can be useful to prevent wasps from nesting in certain places - for example in the roller shutter box or in hollow tree trunks.
To some extent, the juice from garlic cloves also helps against wasp stings. The antibacterial properties of the ingredients counteract the inflammation.