Does Listerine Repel Mosquitoes?

Listerine is a great way to ward off bad breath, but can it do the same for mosquitoes?

It wouldn’t be the craziest thing to think Listerine would effectively repel mosquitoes. After all, many types of Listerine contain ingredients that are proven to repel mosquitoes, such as eucalyptol, found in eucalyptus, and menthol, which is derived from peppermint.

The question is, does Listerine contain enough of these compounds to repel mosquitoes?

Does Listerine Repel Mosquitoes?

The short answer is no.

While Listerine contains ingredients that are used as effective and natural mosquito repellents, the concentration isn’t high enough to work.

According to the CDC, for a product to be effective at repelling mosquitoes for more than an hour or two it must contain 10% or more of the active ingredient. Unfortunately, Listerine only contains a little over 0.1% of ingredients proven to repel mosquitoes.

While some anecdotal claims suggest it works when sprayed on the skin, it evaporates too fast to have any lasting effect on mosquitoes. In addition, Listerine could potentially result in skin irritation when used topically, so it should only be used as directed.

Do Mosquitoes Hate the Smell of Listerine?

While there are many opposing websites and social media claims saying Listerine is an effective mosquito repellent, there is one thing we can all agree on: mosquitoes hate the smell of Listerine.

Mosquitoes are very sensitive to scents, so they tend to stay away from anything that’s too powerful. That’s why, in larger doses, certain essential oils repel mosquitoes. Listerine technically contains some of the compounds found in mosquito-repelling essential oils such as eucalyptus and peppermint.

However, even with mosquitoes hating those smells, Listerine wouldn’t keep them away for too long. Listerine just isn’t strong enough and evaporates quickly.

Get Rid of Mosquitoes Today!

While Listerine isn’t the best household item to use to get rid of mosquitoes, there are many effective ways to naturally get rid of mosquitoes, including:

• Essential oils – Kill mosquito larvae and repel mosquitoes with essential oils. Some are more effective than others, but if you have lavender oil, citronella oil, or lemon eucalyptus oil, you can make an effective mosquito repellent!
• Insect-repelling plants – If you have space for a garden (or a few indoor house plants), plant some basil, thyme, or lemongrass to keep mosquitoes away. These are just a few plants proven to keep mosquitoes at bay.
• Remove standing water – There’s a saying about an ounce of prevention right? Well, prevent mosquitoes from breeding in your yard by removing any standing water! Think overturned toys, pet bowls, puddles, and drainage dishes for plants.

Repel Mosquitoes With Mosquito Magician

Even though Listerine may not be the next big thing in mosquito repellent, there are plenty of ways to repel mosquitoes with natural active ingredient products that are safe around children and pets, when used as directed.

Check out our mosquito repellent and enjoy those Summer days a little bit more.