Mosquitoes can make outdoor time in the yard a hassle.
Although many see Listerine as nothing more than a mouthwash, some gardeners and homeowners turn to this mouth rinse to aid in combating pesky mosquitoes in the yard. Learn the facts about using Listerine as a mosquito repellent so you can determine if it's a home remedy that might work in your situation. Does this Spark an idea?
The Facts
Listerine is a brand of antiseptic mouthwash that contains a blend of four antibacterial essential oils as its active ingredients -- eucalyptol, menthol, methyl salicylate and thymol. Some of these essential oils, namely eucalyptol, menthol and thymol, come from plants reputed to have a repellent effect on mosquitoes, reports Dr. Mark Fradin in "The Annals of Internal Medicine."
Efficacy
Anecdotal evidence indicates that Listerine may serve to repel mosquitoes, but no scientific studies examine the effect of this mouthwash on these flying insects. Combined, the essential oils constitute less than 0.3 percent of the total volume of ingredients in Listerine. This may make Listerine less effective as a mosquito deterrent than commercially available essential oil-based lotions or spray, which typically contain as much as 30 to 40 percent lemon eucalyptus oil, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Considerations
If you opt to use Listerine to keep the mosquitoes away, spray it full-strength on your decks, patios or yard; stick with the original formulation rather than going with one of the flavored versions, recommends Joey Green, author of "Joey Green's Gardening Magic." Never spray Listerine directly on children or in the eyes, as doing so could lead to excessive irritation and burning.
Tags: essential oils, eucalyptol menthol, Joey Green