Keep Mosquitoes Away With This DIY Spray

4 Materials
$8
30 Minutes
Easy

Yes, I'm dating myself with this one! Paul Harvey had a segment years ago, where he shared this spray recipe.Over the years I think people have forgotten about it. So here it a reminder with photos on how to make it.

Only 3 ingredients are needed:Big bottle of cheap BLUE Mouthwash3 cups of Epsom Salts3 - 12 oz. cans of cheap stale beer

Mix all 3 ingredients together until salt is dissolved.

Start with the bottle of mouthwash

Then add 3 cups Epsom salts

Next add 3 cans stale beer

FYI, start with a large pitcher. I had to switch to a larger one due to lack of space - it's a lot of liquid! 

Stir well until salt is thoroughly dissolved

Pour into a spray bottle.

It makes quite a lot.Spray anywhere you sit or hangout outside, it won't harm plants or flowers.I spray it on my window screens from the inside out (so I don't get my windows dirty ;) I spray the deck and walkways throughout the gardens.

As long as it doesn't rain or get washed off it lasts a good amount of time - not necessary to spray each time you go out.

It does make a huge difference in keeping those biters away.Recently I had the Little's here for a few days and we spent a lot of time outside playing.Happy to report no one received a bite. 

Resources for this project:
See all materials
Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Hometalk may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page.More info
Debbie/Dragonfly Treasure
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
Go
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
3 of 123 questions
  • Paula Paula on Aug 03, 2021

    Do you ever use a mosquito killing bucket? Mosquitoes are easiest to kill as larvae. Put some hay in a bucket half full of water, allow it to "ferment". Add a mosquito dunk (Bacillus thuringiensis). Watch the mosquitoes die!

  • Jaw34053069 Jaw34053069 on Aug 04, 2021

    Does this only repel mosquitoes? What about fleas, ticks, and other yard/grass bugs?

  • Lisa Ibias Lisa Ibias on Aug 08, 2021

    Will this potion work for black flies too??

Comments
Join the conversation
3 of 279 comments
  • Sandra Sandra on Aug 24, 2021

    I did try it. Mosquitos still biting and it left a blue mess on everything I sprayed. I did this at my moms house, she was a little upset from the mess it left. Now I have to clean it off. Ugh.

    • Adasha Knight Adasha Knight on Feb 04, 2024

      I’ve seen this same recipe before but it was 6 bottles of stale beer and any color mouthwash with the Epson salt. The man sprayed his yard with it and swore he could lie naked in the grass!

      surely more liquid beer would make something happy?

  • Linda Linda on Jun 24, 2023

    Hey y'all ... some cheap brand of Listerine will work too. Doesn't leave a mess. Smell goes way quickly, and so do the bugs. We don't have a problem with black flies, etc. here, so I don't know about them. Put the Listerine product in a spray bottle. Just don't spray wood with it....spray into the air around you. You can also use Avon's skin-so-soft on your skin directly for mosquito repellant. It works great.

Next