Every summer, like clockwork, the mosquitoes roll in. And if you’re anything like me, you want to enjoy your deck, poolside, or patio without being eaten alive. Well, let me let you in on a little secret I’ve been using for 15 years — a homemade outdoor bug repellent I heard about on an old Paul Harvey segment. It’s simple, cheap, plant-safe, and it works.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 BIG bottle of cheap blue mouthwash (think dollar store kind — the bluer, the better)
- 3 cups of Epsom salt
- 3 stale 12 oz beers (yes, the cheap stuff — warm, flat, leftover brews are perfect)
Instructions:
- Mix all the ingredients in a large bucket or container.
- Stir until the Epsom salt is completely dissolved.
- Pour into a garden sprayer or spray bottle.
That’s it. Spray it anywhere you like to sit outside — around your deck, patio furniture, pool area, flower beds, even around your garden — and watch the mosquitoes disappear. It won’t harm plants or flowers either.
How long does it last?
Roughly 80 days. Seriously. I spray twice each summer and I’m good. I’ve sat out back in nothing but my underwear at night and haven’t been bitten once. Mosquitoes and bugs hate it — and they don’t come back.
The minty smell is actually kind of nice, and it doesn’t stink like chemical sprays. The stronger you mix it, the longer it lasts. Every friend who’s tried it can’t believe it — but it works, plain and simple.
So next time you’re getting chewed up in your backyard, skip the DEET — go blue, beer, and salt instead. Thanks, Paul Harvey.
Now you know… the rest of the story.