[Seia Ibanez]

Mortein​

Before the days of the trusty spray can (and long before Louie the Fly hit our TV screens), this is how Aussies kept their homes bug-free! You’d fill one of these Mortein pumps with liquid insecticide from a brown bottle, then manually spray away — coating the room, the walls, the table, and probably yourself in the process.

It’s hard to imagine now just how strong those sprays must have been, but back then, it was the only way to fight off mozzies, blowflies, and those persistent bush flies.

Credit: Australia Remember When / Facebook

Do you remember seeing one of these around your home? Maybe Mum or Dad had one sitting under the sink ready for summer? Share your memories of these old Mortein pumps (and how long you could last in the room after spraying )!

 

[Mister Data]

Much better than modern aerosol cans. No environmental unfriendly propellant gases!

 

[novezar]

I just "luved" the original "stick" Louie. That was with Ross Higgins as the voice over. An absolute Classic add of adds.

What about you ?

 

[Viellarde]

Much better than modern aerosol cans. No environmental unfriendly propellant gases!

But DDT!

 

[starrysnan]

Shortly after coming to Australia we went on a beach BBQ to Wattamolla in the National Park south of Sydney in the mid 60's. As soon as the food was ready to eat there were so many flies Mum and we kids took refuge in the car. Dad valiantly took up the fly spray (like this one) and sprayed everywhere around himself - I think some got on his steak too! It was a learning curve for us too as we all ended up getting sunburnt (it was a cloudy day and we didn't know you can still burn.

 

[Mister Data]

But DDT!

No DDT in Mortein these day.

It was the pump action in the old style spray that was better. Same reason I use a pump action deodorant instead of an aerosol one.

 

[Viellarde]

No DDT in Mortein these day.

It was the pump action in the old style spray that was better. Same reason I use a pump action deodorant instead of an aerosol one.

My parents' pump was green. May have been pre Mortein.

 

[Mister Data]

My parents' pump was green. May have been pre Mortein.

There were a lot more than just mortein.

 

[ronaldwally0]

I still have one of those cans but do not use it these days