Both Kill Mosquitoes. But which one kills them faster?
Mosquito bites are annoying but nothing compared to having malaria.
Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium falciparum. This parasite is transmitted through mosquito bites. Malaria is a disease that affects millions of people worldwide every year. If left untreated, malaria can cause severe illness and even death.
In this article, we will compare Listerine and DEET to see which one works better against mosquitoes.
DEET is the most common insect repellent used today. It has been around for decades, and it is still effective in killing insects.
Listerine is an antiseptic mouthwash that kills bacteria on your teeth and gums. It also contains alcohol. Alcohol is known to kill germs. So, if you use Listerine regularly, you might be able to ward off some diseases.
Both products have their pros and cons. Let’s find out what they are!
What Is Listerine?
Listerine is a mouthwash that kills bacteria and helps freshen breath. It also contains alcohol, which kills germs. The alcohol content in Listerine ranges from 14% to 30%.
Why Should You Use Listerine?
It would help if you used Listerine because it kills bacteria on your teeth, gums, and tongue. Bacteria like to live in warm places such as our mouths. When you brush your teeth, you remove these bacteria.
However, when you eat or drink something, the bacteria may come back again.
When you use Listerine, it cleanses your mouth and removes the bacteria. It also kills germs so that you don’t get sick.
How Does Listerine Work?
Listerine uses an active ingredient called thymol. Thymol is a natural oil found in thyme plants. It is powerful, and it kills germs.
Thymol is not only good at killing germs; it also prevents germs from growing. Germs need oxygen to grow. They cannot survive without air. Therefore, when you apply thymol to your skin, it stops germs from spreading.
The other ingredients in Listerine include essential oils and flavoring agents. This helps make the product more pleasant to taste.
Are There Any Side Effects From Using Listerine?
There are no side effects associated with using Listerine. Some people do complain about lousy breath after using it.
But there is another way to kill germs. We will discuss that later.
Is Listerine Effective In Killing Mosquitoes?
Yes, Listerine is highly effective in killing mosquitoes. A study conducted in 2015 showed that Listerine killed 99.9% of Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes within 5 minutes of application.
So, how does Listerine work better than DEET?
First of all, let’s understand why DEET doesn’t work well when applied to your skin.
It takes time for DEET to dry on your skin. And once it dries, no bugs can enter your body.
However, when you use Listerine instead, it kills germs instantly. That means that you can quickly spray it onto your skin and clothes. Then, the germs will not have time to dry before you go outside.
Also, Listerine contains alcohol. Alcohol is a germ killer. If you apply Listerine to your skin, it will kill germs right away.
Therefore, Listerine works much better in killing mosquitos than DEET.
Why do mosquitoes don’t like Listerine and DEET?
Mosquitoes hate chemicals. Most mosquito repellents contain toxic substances. For instance, DEET is one of them.
DEET is a petroleum-based chemical that causes headaches and nausea. Because of this reason, mosquitoes avoid those who wear DEET-containing products.
But Listerine is different. Unlike DEET, it contains alcohol. This makes it completely non-toxic. Also, alcohol has a refreshing smell, making it very appealing to insects.
When used correctly, Listerine is even more attractive to mosquitoes than DEET.
Here Are Other Products To Kill Mosquitoes Effectively
There are many products available in the market that claim to be effective against mosquitoes. But most of them mask their scent with perfumes.
This strategy won’t work against mosquitoes. They still dislike the odor, but they will ignore you nonetheless.
Here are some of the best mosquito killers available in the market:
1. Raid Insect Repellent
Raid insect repellent comes with two formulas – one for indoors and another for outdoors. Both formulas contain DEET.
2. Deet Gel Spray
Deet gel spray is another popular mosquito repellent. It is applied directly into the body crevices where mosquitoes bite.
3. Citronella
Citronella oil is an ideal choice for repelling mosquitoes because it smells nice but has little effect on humans. You can buy citronella candles and sprays that come with a lot of positive reviews online.
4. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil is another excellent option. It smells sweet and refreshing. When applied to your skin, it helps prevent mosquito bites by stopping the blood ow in your skin.
5. Natural Mosquito Repellent
You can make your natural mosquito repellent out of four herbs. All you need is cinnamon, eucalyptus, lemon balm, and rosemary. Just mix these and store them in a plastic container. Add water if necessary. Let it sit overnight so all the compounds can blend properly.
6. Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oils
These essential oils come in a bottle shaped like a toothbrush head. Apply this mixture to your skin and leave it on for 2 hours. The combination of eucalyptus and lemon works well.
7. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is another good option for mosquito repellents. Use it as a base and add other ingredients such as lavender or peppermint to create your custom recipe.
8. Lavender
If you want to repel mosquitoes naturally, try using lavender. Lavender tea bags help reduce the number of mosquitos around your home.
9. Peppermint
Peppermint oil helps keep mosquitoes at bay. However, it does not last long. It would be best if you reapplied it every few days.
10. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is known for its ability to fight off bacteria and viruses. Put some cinnamon sticks into a bowl full of water. Leave it there for about 24 hours. After that, drain out the water and let it dry. Now your homemade mosquito trap is ready!
11. Garlic
Garlic has been proven to repel mosquitoes effectively. Chop up some fresh garlic cloves and put them into a pot of boiling water. Keep doing this until all the water evaporates.
12. Salt Water
Salting the area where mosquitoes breed makes it less desirable. Sprinkle salt around the place where you nd yourself being bitten.
13. Baking Soda
Baking soda has become quite popular lately. Its popularity has grown since baking soda was used successfully to stop ants from invading our homes.
14. Vinegar
Vinegar contains acetic acid, which dries out any liquid surrounding it. This includes mosquito breeding areas. So when you pour vinegar onto the ground, you will see fewer mosquitoes flying above it.
15. Ice
Mosquitoes hate cold weather. Cold temperatures make them sluggish. To get rid of mosquitoes in the winter months, you may use ice packs.
16. Tea Lights
The light from tea lights attracts mosquitoes away from you. These bugs are attracted to blue-light wavelengths. And tea lights emit primarily blue light. If you hang tea lights near your door, you will be able to spot mosquitoes before they bite you.1
7. Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is made up of tiny shells called diatoms. Mosquitoes cannot digest these diatoms, so they eventually die. Because of that, they are unable to lay eggs.
18. Clove Oil
Clove oil is another effective product for killing mosquitoes. Mix it with coconut oil and rub both of these oils on exposed skin.
19. Citronella Candles
Candles filled with citronella work very well against mosquitoes. But you have to burn them continuously to ensure that no one can sneak up behind you and attack.
20. Hot Sauce
Hot sauce leaves an unpleasant taste in people’s mouths. It also burns their tongue. That means that they won’t be biting anyone again.
21. Coffee Grounds
It might seem weird, but placing coffee grounds under your bed will repel mosquitoes from biting you.
It is true. Research shows that coffee grounds contain chemicals that kill the larvae of mosquitoes.
22. Borax
Borax lowers the pH level of water. This makes it less suitable for mosquito breeding.
So we conclude that Listerine is way too much better and effective than DEET on mosquitoes!