City to Test if Garlic Application Will Repel Ticks and Mosquitoes

Published on: 2018/06/21 - in Science & Tech

The City of Kingston has announced it will be conducting a pilot project to test the effectiveness of a 100 per cent natural garlic-based product to keep mosquitoes and ticks away from the dog park area of Grass Creek Park.

This natural repellent will be applied every three to four weeks throughout the summer and fall.  It is not harmful to people or animals and described as having a “powerful effect” on mosquitoes and ticks and

“These insects have a sense of smell that is 10,000 times more sensitive than ours and, lucky for us, they don’t like garlic,” said Operations Manager Troy Stubinski in a City release. “We are hoping this is effective because everyone wants to avoid coming into contact with ticks in particular as we know they are active in this area.”

Additionally,  the garlic-based spray will be applied along the side of the road and sidewalk at Centennial Drive between Crossfield and Atkinson to determine if it keeps geese from walking across the street and creating a traffic hazard as they do not like the taste of the repellent on the grass they eat.

If results from this pilot project are successful, the acquired information will be used by staff to identify resource and budget requirements for expanding the use of garlic-based repellent to other frequented locations in 2019.

More information about the project can be found at this City of Kingston page.

The City is also reminding residents that many parks have planned naturalized areas that are intentionally left to grow wild, advising visitors to stay on pathways when enjoying non-wild walks to avoid ticks.

Also check out KFL&A Public Health resources to learn how to protect your family and pets from Lyme disease carried by ticks as well as West Nile Virus carried by mosquitoes.
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Photo: Pixabay (cc)