Can you use Listerine as Bug Repellent? Will it Repel Mosquitoes, Flies, and Aphids? Scroll on for all the answers!
Using Listerine as Bug Repellent keeps mosquitoes, flies, and aphids at bay! In this article, we’ll show you how it’s a reliable choice for keeping those pesky insects away by using it properly.
Does Using Listerine as Bug Repellent Work?
You might be wondering if Listerine actually works to get rid of bugs. Yes, it does. Listerine contains Eucalyptol and Menthol, which are known for their bug-repelling qualities.
What you should know is that these compounds aren’t abundant, meaning Listerine can help get rid of bugs for a short while; it isn’t a long-term solution.
Note: Listerine is primarily designed for oral hygiene, not as an insect repellent. But you can use it as a quick home remedy to keep bugs away.
Bug Repelling Compounds in Listerine
You already know Eucalyptol and Menthol are the compounds but their concentration in Listerine is really low (around 0.09% for Eucalyptol and 0.04% for Menthol). Eucalyptol comes from Eucalyptus oil, which is excellent at keeping pests and mosquitoes away and Menthol is found in peppermint, another bug repellant.
This is the reason that the effects of Listerine are short-lived; you need at least a 10% concentration of these for long-term effects on bugs.
Using Listerine to Repel Mosquitoes & Flies
You can use Listerine in many ways to get rid of mosquitoes and flies in your home and garden.
- Spray Around: You can use a spray bottle and spray it around the garden, especially in the areas where bugs frequent.
- Make a Mix: If you don’t want to go for a spray, you can mix it in a bucket and pour the solution on the ground and stones.
Listerine wears off pretty quickly so you’ll have to use it regularly if you want to get rid of bugs. Instead, why don’t you use proper insect repellants instead of this quick-fix remedy?
You should go for CDC-recommended bug sprays, or repellants that have DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), or IR3535.
Listerine as Bug Repellent: Will It Work for Aphids?
If you want to get rid of aphids that are harming your plants, you should use a mix of Listerine and liquid dish soap. Here’s how to make it.
What You Need
- One teaspoon Listerine mouthwash
- One teaspoon Dawn liquid dish soap
- 1 small tsp cayenne pepper
- 1.5 liter Water
- An empty spray bottle
How to Make It
Pour out listerine, cayenne pepper, and a couple of squirts of dish soap into a large bowl filled with 1.5 l of water and give it a good stir. Now pour this mixture into a spray bottle. You can also dilute it a bit if there’s space at the top. Give it a good shake and spray it directly on the plants and areas where you see aphids. But don’t do it more than once a week.
Conclusion
Listerine can help you get rid of bugs in the garden, but for a short while. Instead of using it regularly, go with an actual bug-repellant spray that will have long-lasting effects. You can also go with these Mosquito Repellent Plants.
