Does Listerine keep mosquitoes away?

Can Listerine mouthwash be used in place of bug spray to repel mosquitoes? No, you cannot use Listerine in the place of a bug spray. According to Dr. Karlan Robinson, it does repel mosquitoes, but those effects don't last very long.

wcnc.com - VERIFY: No, you shouldn't use Listerine as a mosquito repellent

Can I store ammunition in my gun safe?

The National Rifle Association (NRA) recommends that guns be stored unloaded until you need to use them. Keep your ammunition in a locked safe that...

Last updated Mar 30, 2021

Is there a food shortage coming in the US?

Q: Will there be food shortages? A: There are currently no nationwide shortages of food, although in some cases the inventory of certain foods at...

Last updated Mar 25, 2020

Promotion

No, you cannot use Listerine in place of bug spray. According to Doctor Karla Robinson, it does repel mosquitos. However, it does not have lasting effects.

Example video title will go here for this video

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A social media post making the rounds claims you can use Listerine mouthwash as a repellant for mosquitoes. A WCNC Charlotte viewer emailed the VERIFY team and asked if the social media post is true. We reached out to a Charlotte-based doctor to clarify these claims.

THE QUESTION

Can Listerine mouthwash be used in place of bug spray to repel mosquitoes?

THE ANSWER

No, you cannot use Listerine in the place of a bug spray. According to Dr. Karlan Robinson, it does repel mosquitoes, but those effects don't last very long. Robinson told the VERIFY team that it hasn't been studied as a topical treatment and recommends using regular or organic bug spray to keep those pesky insects away while outdoors.

WHAT WE FOUND

According to Robinson, the ingredients Eucalyptol and Menthol are key components to help repel mosquitos. On a bottle of Listerine, those ingredients include .09% of Eucalyptol and .04% of Menthol. "The ingredient itself is effective, but the amounts in Listerine aren't as high as you would see in a typical insect repellent that does, in fact, have long-lasting effectiveness," said Robinson. According to data from the CDC, products with these ingredients provide reasonably long-lasting protection. However, the agency states products with less than 10% on the label may offer limited protection. "Listerine is mostly alcohol and water and evaporates fairly quickly when on the skin, so the effectiveness of this being a true repellant isn't as long-standing as you would think the other traditional insect repellents could be," said Robinson. VERIFY is dedicated to helping the public distinguish between true and false information. The VERIFY team, with help from questions submitted by the audience, tracks the spread of stories or claims that need clarification or correction. Have something you want VERIFIED? Text us at 704-329-3600 or visit /verify.

What is the hardest food to prepare?

1. The Fugu Puffer Fish. A Japanese delicacy, this deadly dish's organs contain a neurotoxin 1,000 times more powerful than cyanide. The most...

Last updated Jul 18, 2020

What does KA-BAR stand for?

According to company records, the letter was only partially legible; "ka bar" could be read, as fragments of the phrase "kill a bear". In 1923, the...

Last updated Nov 4, 2022

Promotion

What job has the lowest life expectancy?

A 2021 study on Occupation-Based Life Expectancy found that people working in non-skilled general, technical and transport domains lived on average...

Last updated Feb 4, 2022