Jason Salim was searching for an earth-friendly way to make money last year when he discovered the power of garlic.
Now the 24-year-old Norton, Mass., entrepreneur is using the legendary vampire repellant to ward off another kind of bloodsucker.
His heady concoction of garlic extract and soybean oil can rid a field of pesky mosquitoes for weeks.
“I can’t believe no one’s thought of it,” says Salim, who owns Mosquito Foggers.
Using garlic to kill mosquitoes is hardly a novel concept. The pungent bulb contains chemicals long known to destroy the soft-bodied insects and may overwhelm their sense of smell.
Organic gardeners often treat their properties and small ponds with garlic extract, along with other natural bug deterrents.
But few entrepreneurs have tapped into the sales potential of the odiferous plant as an alternative to harmful chemicals.
And fewer have tried to market it to homeowners.
Photo by Charlene Mcneil.
Angela on September 10th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Before moving, I could have used something like this. There was woods on 2 sides of the house, and swamps not far into them. Every summer we were swamped (no pun intended) with those darn mosquitoes.
cassy on September 10th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Im imagining your home Angela, and I like it! You can feel peace when your surounds with trees in your home. Works can easily be done if the place your working is quiet. Although mosquitoes are really in this kind of place but there are mosquito repellant that can be use. And i think this mosquito foggers that Mr. Salim invented is the best to use, especially it can rid a field of mosquitoes for weeks.