Mouthwash And Beer: Effective Mosquito Repellents Or Old Wives' Tales?

Mosquitoes are a nuisance, especially in the summer, and finding ways to repel them is a priority for many. A popular home brew mosquito repellent that has been doing the rounds on the internet since the early 2000s involves a mixture of mouthwash, beer, and epsom salt. The recipe is often attributed to radio show host Paul Harvey. But does it work?

Beer is an insect repellent, but only effective for a few minutes

Beer can be used as an insect repellent, but its effectiveness is limited to a few minutes. Beer is known to contain alcohol, which is a known insect repellent. However, the alcohol content in beer is relatively low compared to other alcoholic beverages, and it evaporates quickly, reducing its repellent properties.

To enhance the effectiveness of beer as an insect repellent, it is often combined with other ingredients, such as mouthwash and Epsom salt, as suggested by popular recipes like the Paul Harvey mosquito spray. This recipe involves mixing a bottle of blue mint mouthwash, three bottles of stale beer, and three cups of Epsom salt. While this concoction has received mixed reviews, some people claim that it successfully repels mosquitoes and other insects for up to 2-3 months. However, the key active ingredient in mouthwash, eucalyptol, is typically found in much higher concentrations in commercial insect repellents, making it a less effective choice.

Overall, while beer can be used as an insect repellent, its effectiveness is short-lived due to the quick evaporation of alcohol. For longer-lasting protection, it is advisable to opt for commercial insect repellents or explore other DIY methods that utilize ingredients known to be effective against mosquitoes, such as garlic, onion, and essential oils.

Listerine contains eucalyptol, a chemical used in commercial repellents, but in a much lower concentration

Listerine is often considered a cheap, homemade alternative to commercial mosquito repellent products due to its eucalyptol content. Eucalyptol is a chemical commonly used in commercial repellents, but the concentration in Listerine is much lower than in commercial products. While commercial repellents typically use a 75% compound combination of eucalyptol, Listerine usually contains less than 1%. This low concentration is further diluted by the water and alcohol in Listerine, causing it to evaporate quickly and reducing its effectiveness as a repellent.

Listerine's low concentration of eucalyptol means that if it has any repellent effect, it will only be effective for a short time before wearing off. Some sources suggest that Listerine may provide a low level of protection for 30-40 minutes, but it is not a reliable choice for serious mosquito repelling. The rumour that Listerine is an effective mosquito repellent started with a chain email in the early 2000s, and there is little evidence to support this claim.

While Listerine may have some minor repellent properties due to its eucalyptol content, it is not as effective as other DIY methods or commercial repellents. If you are looking for a longer-lasting and more reliable solution, it is recommended to use a commercial repellent or alternative DIY methods such as vinegar or lemon balm.

The Paul Harvey DIY mosquito repellent recipe uses mouthwash, beer and Epsom salt

The Paul Harvey DIY mosquito repellent recipe has been used for about 20 years by most homeowners in the USA. It is easy to make, very cheap, and highly effective in keeping blood-feeding insects away. The recipe uses one bottle of blue mint mouthwash, three bottles (12 oz each) of stale beer, and three cups of Epsom salt.

To prepare the homemade spray, pour the beer and mouthwash into a container (an old saucepan or a bucket), add the salt, and stir until the salt is dissolved. Then, pour the mixture into a spray bottle and shake well before use.

When applying the repellent, spray it on backyard areas where you spend time outside, such as decks, patios, and front porches. If you are camping, spray it directly on the lawn grass and around and inside tents. The repellent is safe for children, pets, flowers, and vegetable plants. However, it is important to ensure that the treated area is completely dry before allowing anyone to enter. This mosquito repellent can keep blood-sucking insects away from sprayed areas for about 60-80 days. In regions with longer mosquito seasons, such as the tropics and subtropics, it is recommended to spray twice during the summer.

While the Paul Harvey recipe has received positive reviews for its effectiveness and pleasant scent, some users have reported mixed results. Some comments indicate that the repellent may not work as well in certain areas or against aggressive mosquito species. Additionally, it is important to note that the ingredients in the repellent, particularly the mouthwash, may not be as effective as those in commercial products. The low concentration of eucalyptol, a chemical commonly used in commercial repellents, in mouthwash is diluted further by the water and alcohol content, leading to a shorter duration of effectiveness.

The homemade repellent is safe for children, pets, flowers and vegetable plants

The homemade repellent is safe for children, pets, flowers, and vegetable plants. It can be sprayed directly on the lawn grass, around and on tents, decks, patios, alcoves around benches, and on and around front porches, among other areas. The repellent is also safe for use around ponds and pools.

The repellent is made from a mixture of beer, mouthwash, and Epsom salt. The alcohol in the beer is an insect repellent, but it evaporates quickly, so stale beer is recommended. The primary active ingredient in Listerine mouthwash is eucalyptol, which is used in commercial repellents, but it is present in a low concentration in Listerine, making it less effective. The magnesium in the Epsom salt may also contribute to the repellent properties of the mixture, as it is known to kill certain beetles.

The homemade repellent is easy to make, cheap, and highly effective in keeping blood-feeding insects away. It has a pleasant scent for people but is repellent to mosquitoes. The mixture can be used to wipe out blood-sucking insects from sprayed areas for about two to three months.

The repellent is claimed to be effective for 60-80 days, but some reviews say it is useless

The homemade mosquito repellent made from mouthwash, beer, and Epsom salt is claimed to be effective for 60-80 days. However, some reviews contradict this claim, stating that the mixture is “completely useless".

The repellent is made by combining a bottle of blue mint mouthwash, three bottles of stale beer, and three cups of Epsom salt. The mixture is then sprayed in areas where mosquitoes are a problem, such as backyards, decks, patios, and areas around pools or ponds.

While some people claim that this repellent effectively keeps mosquitoes away for up to 80 days, others have found it to be ineffective. One review mentions that the mosquitoes were still present after applying the repellent, while another states that the mixture left a white residue on surfaces and caused damage to plants.

It is important to note that the active ingredient in Listerine mouthwash, eucalyptol, is known to repel insects. However, the concentration of eucalyptol in Listerine is only around 1%, which may not be sufficient for effective mosquito repellent. Additionally, the water and alcohol content in mouthwash can cause it to evaporate quickly, reducing its effectiveness as a repellent.

Overall, while some people have found success with the mouthwash and beer mosquito repellent, the mixed reviews suggest that it may not be reliable for everyone.

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