Use Listerine to fight… mosquitoes?

Some of you have possibly seen the e-mails going around that tout Listerine as an effective mosquito repellent. I decided to try it myself and… it seems to work. Most mouthwash products contain eucalyptus oil, which is known for its insect repelling properties. The only caveat: because the concentration of eucalyptus in the mouthwash is much lower than in commercially available repellents, the Listerine must be sprayed more frequently to keep up the effect.

Instructions:
Make a solution of half mouthwash and half water in a spray bottle.
Avoid spraying eyes and nose (not toxic, but irritating).
Spray body or any area, like your deck, where you don’t want mosquitoes.
Repeat roughly every hour.

Read a NY Times article on Listerine as repellent here.
One more disclaimer: mosquitoes are drawn to the heat of your body and the odors you give off through your skin. Some people just happen to give off more attractive odors to mosquitoes. In those people, this is less likely to work. I hope it works for you!