When I first read this tidbit of advice on how to get rid of mosquitoes, I have to admit I was excited since I was sure I probably had some Listerine in the bathroom. Take Listerine and put it in a spray bottle. Then spray around where mosquitoes reside. Voila! No more mosquitoes!
Since I wanted a tad bit more information, I googled it and wouldn’t you know the first link is to Snopes. Snopes is the place to learn to truth about urban legends, old wives tales, and in general Internet rumors. Apparently it does work and will kill the mosquitoes it is directly sprayed on but says “false” to the claim that it will help repel mosquitoes.
I may try it anyway. I mean we already use Listerine, so all I need is a spray bottle. If it knocks out even 10% of the local mosquito population, then I’ll be happy.
Since my original post, I have used the generic form of Listerine around our front porch to see if it deters mosquitoes. The smell seems to last for about a day and that’s about how long there seems to be a decrease in mosquitoes. It could be just my imagination but definitely seems we are bitten less after spraying the mouth wash around our home.
Update:
I’ve a follow up to this post that you can find here where I talk about why Listerine is suppose to work on mosquitoes.
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April 30th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
had never heard that one before, but when it comes to mosquitoes, i am willing to try anything!
May 1st, 2008 at 8:28 am
what about ants? does listerine attract ants or other bugs?
After weeks of searching for a solution, I’ve decided to try the Skeeter Defeater. half because of its name and half because i hope it works.
http://www.skeeterdefeater.com
May 1st, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I think everything attracts ants here! LOL. There will be no food, nothing and the ants will just be having a field day.
I’ll have to check into skeeter defeater. Like the name, too. It is much cheaper than the mosquito vacuum contraptions we’ve seen before at Sam’s Club and have seriously considered getting.
May 24th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Just noticed you were talking about the Skeeter Defeater. I am the Marketing Director for the company, and just wanted to thank David for trying it out, and for Housewife for considering it. I think it works great, but of course, I might be a bit biased (although you are right about the price being less than the vacuum products).
As for Listerine, I’ve heard that it does actually serve as a good mosquito killer. I don’t know what other effects it has on the environment or landscaping (I’ll ask our chemists). The thing I can’t get around is how do you deliver it, or spray it, effectively?
June 11th, 2008 at 11:06 am
I heard that there is a recipe for mosquito repellent using water and listerine Thank you
September 26th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Just for those who would really like to know about the ants….and other buts. There is a really wicked bug spray called Viper which worked wonders on my ant problem. Had had an exterminator who couldn’t seem to kill the ants…always wanting to come back and charge me more for one more thing he wanted to try. My brother got this off of the internet and it is great. Shouldn’t spray it indoors, but I did mix a weakened version of it up and used a paint brush to dab it on all the base boards..haven’t seen a spider or ant in three months.
November 7th, 2008 at 12:49 am
i have tried several methods to get rid of mosquitoes but i failed. Then I log on to net and search for mosquito control methods. i found this Listerine business. I have to admit that it is the best method I have ever found to control nasty mosquitoes. Now I am a happy man.
November 7th, 2008 at 12:53 am
I am really impressed. Now I am a free man thanks to LISTERINE
November 7th, 2008 at 12:57 am
What else you want, if you have listerine you will be free of mosquitoes.
November 7th, 2008 at 12:59 am
Listerine, a magical thing which make you a comfortable person by removing mosquitoes.
November 7th, 2008 at 1:04 am
ultimately I found the solution for mosquito problem. It is called ‘LISTERINE’.
November 7th, 2008 at 1:06 am
Get rid off mosquitoes and enjoy your life but use listerine
March 28th, 2009 at 11:14 am
thank you so much for these great tips hope you will help me next time on other bugs!
May 16th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Great to know. As for the ants…try using self-rising cornmeal sprinkled near the anthills. They take it down to the queen and
she, literally, explodes as the leaven on the meal rises within
her stomach. Gross but it works!
May 22nd, 2009 at 8:06 am
Does anyone know the receipe for the listerine for bug control?
May 26th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
i heard somewhere listerine gets rid of misquetoes
but it does hurt your lawn i sprad it on my lawn and then the next day my lawn was brown in that spot so i didnt ever buy listerine again i use other misquito repellant stuff and it helps
actully just get those type of candles ask walmart or target for candles that help keep misquetoes away when you are outside
thankyou and please do try
May 30th, 2009 at 4:11 am
At a softball game this week, the mosquitoes were killing everybody (players & fans). One of my friends decided to try the Listerine to see if it really works. OFF didn’t seem to work for anyone and we asked my friend for a little bit of that Listerine, which we ended up spraying on our bodies. IN LESS THAN 30 SECONDS, the mosquitoes left us alone. I spent 2 hours at the park and while other people had a constant battle with the “creatures”, my friends and I really enjoyed the game.
If you hate mosquitoes, try Listerine!!!!
May 31st, 2009 at 6:55 am
Whos advice is this? Before she starts writing she should investigate a little deeper because that advice is dangerous. Any one who has even remotely looked at massage therapy or aromatherapy could tell you that messing about with eucalyptus oil can result in severe burns to people and will kill fish and small reptiles if dumped into streams and ponds. Sure it kills mosquitos but it KILLS EVERYTHING ELSE TOO. Geranium oil works the same way, in small (and I mean miniscule) amounts rubbed on skin it will repel mosquitos for about an hour but it too is highly toxic. If you want mosquitos out of your yard naturally plant a border of marigolds, geraniums, mums and eucalyptus. Just keep in mind all of these plants will kill small children and pets. Please do not go buying these oils and rubbing on your skin or dumping on your yard or waterways. Bleach works too but we all know not to go throwing that around!
June 11th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
THIS IS THE BEST IDEA IN THE WORLD! :)))))))))))))