Cedar - this is the best softwood for longevity as it is naturally impervious to rot and the cedar oils deter insects.

While it also smells repulsive, Dr. Wood noted that many alkaloid molecules were very bitter to taste and were produced by some plants to deter insects from eating them.

Sometimes, finding methods that will deter animals and insects is a hit-or-miss proposition.

Sobrassada is made with a choice of pork loin, pork bacon (locally called xuia), minced and mixed with paprika, salt and black pepper at the ends (to deter insects).

Smoking prevents the tanned hide from becoming stiff if it gets wet, and deters insects from eating it as well.

A female was observed placing leaves of the flaky-barked tea-tree (Leptospermum trinervium) underneath its feathers, leading the observers to wonder whether they were being used to deter or kill insects.

If Kai sited the secondary camp high enough up in the foothills to avoid the worst predatory life, the force-screen would be sufficient to deter poisonous insects and dangerous smaller animals.

In the late 1980s, Peter von Fragstein of the University of Kassel, Germany, began researching remineralization with many different rock types as a slow-release fertilizer and to deter insects.

When we tend to our plants, we won't worry so much about the weather: developments in glass and plastics will mean light covers will collect the sun's energy and deter many detrimental insects.

There's even a scientific rationale behind Dracula's aversion to garlic - a regular intake of garlic releases sulphur compounds in sweat which deter insects such as mosquitoes and gnats.