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.