Listerine Uses In The Garden (7 Tips & Tricks)

It’s amazing how many surprising uses different household items have. Take Listerine; it’s great as a mouthwash, but did you know that you can use it in your garden, too?

You can use Listerine to do things like disinfect your tools or fight off insects. Read on to learn seven incredible Listerine uses in the garden.

1. Use Listerine To Disinfect Your Gardening Tools

The main job of mouthwash, of course, is to disinfect your mouth. Well, you can use those same disinfectant properties on your garden tools.

In particular, you should be careful to disinfect pruning tools. Your shears can transport diseases from a sick plant to a healthy one if you don’t clean them between uses.

But you don’t have to buy a special disinfectant if you have Listerine already on hand. You don’t even need to dilute it. Either dip the tool into a cup of mouthwash or soak a cotton ball and rub the tool down.

2. Control Aphid Infestations With Listerine

Aphids might not destroy your garden, but they can definitely be annoying. These tiny insects can multiply and feed on your plants.

This can lead to yellowing and curled leaves, dead shoots, and poor growth in your plants.

The good news is that it doesn’t take much to kill aphids. So, if you want to avoid pesticides that are too harsh, try using mouthwash!

One of the ingredients of Listerine mouthwash is methyl salicylate. Some studies show that this compound does deter aphids.

At the first sign of aphid infestation, fill a spray bottle with equal parts Listerine and water. Then, spray your plants’ leaves and stalks. This should help remove those pesky pests.

3. Listerine Attracts Ladybugs

Mouthwash doesn’t only deter insects; it can even attract helpful and pretty bugs, too! The methyl salicylate in Listerine attracts ladybugs just as it deters aphids.

Ladybugs have a charming appearance, but they’re also helpful. They actually eat aphids.

So, using Listerine in your garden fights off infestation in two ways. It deters most aphids, the ladybugs will take care of the ones that stick around.

4. Remove Fungal Infections And Mildew From Plants With Mouthwash

A very common and very annoying problem in gardening is Podosphaera xanthii. The common name is powdery mildew.

It appears on your leaves as an unattractive white powder, but it doesn’t just affect appearances.

Powdery mildew can affect the growth of leaves and fruits, and even kill certain plants. Luckily, you have a remedy waiting in your bathroom cabinet!

Mix one part Listerine with three parts water in a spray bottle. Apply the mixture to your plants every two to three days until the powdery appearance is gone.

You can also use the mixture as part of your normal garden maintenance to prevent the mildew from returning.

5. Use Listerine To Deter Cats From Peeing In Your Garden

This is a great hack even if you don’t have cats yourself. Feral cats love to leave their mark in gardens, which can lead to some unpleasant smells.

In order to stop any cats from urinating on your plants, try using peppermint-scented Listerine. Cats hate the smell of mint and will avoid it whenever they can.

It’s best to dilute the Listerine before you spray it, though. You don’t want any cats to accidentally ingest pure mouthwash as it can be harmful to them.

Start with a ratio of one part mouthwash to three parts water. If the smell of mint is too diluted, try a 1:2 ratio instead. Then, spray the mixture on the plants you want to protect from feline visitors.

6. Repel Mosquitoes Using Listerine In Your Garden

Another animal that detests Listerine is the mosquito. These irritating bugs love to bite during the summer if you don’t have protection.

If you find yourself without bug spray, try using Listerine as a temporary fix. It contains eucalyptus oil, which works to repel mosquitoes.

Be careful, though; this is an emergency-only solution. The concentration of eucalyptus oil in Listerine is not high enough to stop the bugs for long.

But when you need temporary relief, Listerine is good in a pinch. Pour some into a small spray bottle to use until you can get your hands on some commercial bug spray.

7. Mouthwash Can Extend The Life Of Cut Flowers

One of the joys of gardening is having fresh, beautiful flowers at a moment’s notice. Bringing in flowers from your garden can brighten up the inside of your home.

While cut flowers can’t last forever, there is a way to extend their life in a vase. Adding two tablespoons to a large vase of water can help make your cut flowers last longer.

This is due to Listerine’s antibacterial properties. It kills the bacteria in the cut stem that leads to rot.

In Conclusion

Listerine isn’t just for cleaning out your mouth. You can use it in your garden to disinfect, fight bugs, and even get rid of harmful mildew.

If you ever find that you’re out of your usual cleaners or bug spray, just turn to your medicine cabinet. Your mouthwash is there to save the day!