skip to main content

Home Decorating Conversations

Continuing saga on mosquitoes...

2 years ago

Today I mixed up a concoction and sprayed the yard.

I've used it in the past at our previous home, and totally forgot about it!!

My daughter reminded me of it when I was complaining about the pesky bloodsuckers.

It's equal parts beer, Epsom salt & Listerine, attached to a hose sprayer.

I started in the backyard. When I went out the patio door, I was swarmed by mosquitoes. That's where I began spraying. Sprayed the concrete, brick walls & hanging baskets of flowers & ferns. Then I made my way around the rest of the yard.

By the time I got back to the patio, I was literally a hot (& sweaty) mess. Ripe mosquito bait. I sat down to take my yard shoes off and realized there was nothing buzzing around me.

I'll go out this evening and check again to see if it actually worked.

Featured Answer

maddielee

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

Hope it works. And doesn’t smell like a beach bar with patrons who have excellent breath.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (16)

aok27502
2 years ago
Ok, I have to wonder how anyone came up with this concoction? But if it works, hallelujah!
Related Discussions
my atrium window saga continues... never buy atrium! photos...
Q
Comments (21)
We purchased 18 Model # 5700 Atrium windows from McCoy's for our new house we are building. Out of the 18 windows, 13 of them have issues. They won't stay in place when raised. When the store sent their technician out to check them a spring popped out of one and broke the top corner of the frame. The Technician told my husband that we should have bought a better quality of window. These windows might be poor quality but they weren't cheap. The window was replaced yesterday but when the installer went to open it, the spring came out. The store salesman and manufacture rep is supposed to come out tomorrow to check all the windows. We were told the store ordered new springs for the windows but that was two weeks ago and they are still not fixed. I don't recommend these windows.
...See More
not that crazy about crassulas:the continuing saga
Q
Comments (3)
Dave - hoping for real Spring finally...we still had nighttime frost warning for about a week even if daytimes were OK. It is warming up quite a bit since Monday, hoping to be able to bring all plants outdoors this weekend. I wonder if it grows as mother plant or not? Some say that they usually don't from leaves, pls. let us know.
...See More
The Saga of the Master Bedroom Continues
Q
Comments (51)
Hi Ingrid- I am so sorry to hear about your husband's illness. I hope he does as well as he can under the circumstances and that you and he enjoy many healthy, active and full years together! Both of those rugs are knockout gorgeous! and the ivory bedspread, gold headboard and pillow and green pillows are just perfect. Does the floor under the oriental rug in your bedroom have wall to wall carpeting? You know, many people don't even bother with a bedspread and just pull up the big fluffy comforter that has a washable comforter cover over the bed and pillows and race out the door in the morning! n.b. It is always important to fasten down the corners and edges of rugs to avoid trips and falls, a fortiori when an occupant may develop problems with balance and coordination. 3M makes the 3M Anchor Rug System that they sell at Lowes and Home Depot which is a modified Velcro system. I don't think you want the sticky stuff directly on the back of your carpet, so I would advise sewing a piece of linen on the corners of your rug and then affixing the system to the linen. This system works a bit better when the oriental rug is on top of a carpet, but again, I would advise sewing a piece of linen onto the edges of your oriental. https://www.amazon.com/Grippers-Carpet-Hallway-Runner-Gripper/dp/B01M7NEWHI/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_196_lp_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=8H5JE9JEWYC2QVZBAWVQ
...See More
OT......The Saga of The Straying Sock continues....
Q
Comments (19)
I had my own "Person from Porlock" moment in the middle of composing the above poem! The Man Who Changes the Smoke Alarm Battery interrupted me but luckily I had scribbled first thoughts on the back of an envelope, inspired by the nursery rhyme. I love these challenges. They keep my brain ticking over...
...See More
pudgeder
Original Author
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Grandson, (10 & prime mosquito bait) is trying to earn money.

He offered to clean the outdoor string lights on the patio. Okay, he didn't "offer" I told him I'd pay him. ;-) Took him about 45 minutes.

NOT ONE MOSQUITO!!!!!!
Jilly
2 years ago
Basically, they get so drunk, they can’t land on you. 😁
pudgeder
Original Author
2 years ago
Must be! But they're so chill due to the epsom salts, they don't care. LOL
arcy_gw
2 years ago
Let us know how long it lasts. Back in the day neighbors tried lemon soap in a similar manor and it worked for the long enough to have a gathering in their back yard. They do like to hide in tall grass.
pudgeder thanked arcy_gw
pudgeder
Original Author
2 years ago
I could still smell the Listerine this morning (never could really smell the beer) and didn't see any mosquitoes.

DGS reported that did have 3 bites on him last night. He wasn't sure if they occurred when he was on the patio or not. But 3 is better than the potential dozens!
Arapaho-Rd
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Saw THIS on Today's Homeowner show. Haven't tried yet myself.
pudgeder thanked Arapaho-Rd
bpath
2 years ago
At least your yard is now minty-fresh!
pudgeder thanked bpath
Feathers11
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Does that concoction not hurt the grass and landscape?

ETA found a few articles about this, and apparently doesn't hurt the landscape.
pudgeder thanked Feathers11
pudgeder
Original Author
2 years ago
It worked for several days... then it rained yesterday and now they're back. (Not as badly as the pergola is covered.) I'm going to apply it again later today while it's cool.
mtnrdredux_gw
2 years ago
That sounds like tremendous effort --- how big is your yard?
Jilly
2 years ago
Feathers, you reminded me — we used one of the Off sprays last year, and it killed the grass where we were standing! After one time! I’ll never use that again.
mtnrdredux_gw
2 years ago
The tests conducted "in these studies contained much higher concentrations of the essential oil than that found in Listerine Antiseptic — 40 percent to 75 percent concentrations as opposed to Listerine's .092 percent."

USA today discusses the use of Listerine (IDK about beer and Epsom salts but this may be of interest). https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/07/11/fact-check-listerine-products-dont-kill-mosquitoes/5409389002/
Arapaho-Rd
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
The Old Farmers Almanac says rubbing skin with apple cider vinegar or try drinking a beverage called Switchel / Haymaker's Punchthat uses apple cider vinegar as an ingredient. This might keep them from biting but won't clear your yard.
mtnrdredux_gw
2 years ago
My jaded opinion - if any of this really worked, using simple, cheap ingredients, someone would have made a business out of it. But since everything I read debunks these myths and concoctions as providing no or very short lived relief, no one is going to create a product based on fraud.

Related Stories

DINING ROOMS See 5 Bright Dining Rooms That Encourage Indoor-Outdoor Flow

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Features such as sliding glass walls and continuous flooring bring dining and living into the backyard

DECORATING GUIDES Taupe: A Sophisticated Backdrop for Today

By Debbie Snider

See Why Versatile, Stylish 'Greige' Continues to Warm Our Walls

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Bid Bad Garden Bugs Goodbye and Usher In the Good

By Matt Kilburn

Give ants their marching orders and send mosquitoes moseying, while creating a garden that draws pollinators and helpful eaters

A Honeymoon Cottage for Edward and Bella

By Becky Harris

As 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn' premieres, we scout out some getaways for the pale pair

GARDENING GUIDES Plant Native Annual Flowers for a Garden Surprise Every Year

By Curtis Adams

These 15 well-adapted native annuals can add spontaneity to gardens around the country

GARDENING GUIDES Northeast Gardener's August Checklist

By Paintbox Garden

It's hot in the August garden! Cool off with airy grasses and tactile plants that catch the breeze

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Renovation Detail: The Blue Porch Ceiling

By Rachel Grace

Ghostly legends spurred the Haint Blue porch ceiling trend in the South, but you can pick this color just because it's pretty

GARDENING GUIDES Zen Weeding: The Smart Way to Weed Your Garden

By Susan J Tweit

Be mindful about keeping weeds from taking hold in your yard by knowing when and how to get rid of each type

EARTH DAY How to Help Your Town’s Beneficial Birds and Bugs

By Annie Thornton

Make a habitat using local materials to provide a home to the creatures that help our gardens

GARDENING GUIDES 3 Ways to Revel in Summer Garden Sweetness

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Patiently observe what works and doesn’t work in your landscape

Sponsored

Remodel Repair Construction

9 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractors in Westerville

More Discussions

No Thankyou cards

26

Packing for Scotland!

33

Bunny, how is your leg?

41

Shopping for others, Annie D needs these

15

What’s in the water in Texas?

6