Q: I have been told that a mixture of mouthwash, Epsom salts and stale beer can be sprayed around your landscape to keep mosquitoes away. What do you think?

A: I think this is an excellent recipe for hogwash. For mosquito control, I don’t believe it would have any effect. Mosquito repellents work by confusing smell sensors of the insect. Just a few chemicals are capable of doing this, including lemon eucalyptus oil, picaridin, and DEET. Keep an eye out for dirty pigs and spray your concoction on them.

See Does Your Mosquito Repellent Work?