We rarely have rain during winter but a lot during spring, summer (drizzle or worse the entire day till dawn) and autumn is also wet.
Seems as if the plants and trees have a hard time - suddenly - in the last years. I doubt it's the soil or the lack of water. Yesterday I noticed that the Christmas tree I planted and grew over 3 meters high suddenly died. Ants again or does something else cause it? It's hard to tell. Usually, these trees are poisoning to other plants. It makes me kind of sad because this tree reminds me of my passed-away dog.
I would never thought of tipping spots on plants with sanitiser.
I am sorry about the tree you planted in memory of your dog.
I figured the hand sanitizer is mostly alcohol and alcohol kills lichen, so why wouldn't it work? I hope I am right about it.