If you are somebody who feels like you are in the constant battle with pests in your outdoor living areas, it is natural to consider every type of deterrent out there — even the ones that seem outlandish.
While many budding gardeners may be concerned that coffee grounds can attract pests, the reality is quite to the contrary. In fact, when implemented correctly, coffee grounds can be an effective way to repel certain pests such as wasps, snails, and mosquitoes. With years of experience in pest control in Vancouver, Atlas Pest Control can help explain why this is the case.
As our question: “Do coffee grounds attract pests?” — no! The opposite is true. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), coffee grounds are an efficient way to keep pests out of your garden. Not only is this option more environmentally-friendly than the average pest repellant on the market, but it is also easier to source and even easier on the wallet.
As a human, you understand that, whether you like it or not, the smell of coffee is very strong. For insects with heightened sniffers, this is especially true. Like some humans, insects are not usually big fans of the smell, which causes them to stay clear of its source, as insects do not want to settle somewhere that it smells unpleasant.
Which Kinds of Coffee Grounds Should I Use?
The type of grounds you can use will really depend on the kind of coffee you enjoy! Whatever you do, don’t go out and buy coffee just for the sake of having grounds for your garden. Whether you enjoy a light roast or a dark roast, or anything in between, all types of coffee are passable for the garden.
One thing to note: it is essential that you use coffee grounds and not whole beans!
Do I have to Burn the Coffee Grounds?
If you go into a rabbit hole of researching coffee grounds online, you may see many suggestions calling for you to burn the coffee grounds. While this has not necessarily been scientifically proven, some gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts insist that the smoke works to repel insects as smoke can be a signal of damage to them, which can cause them to stay away from the surrounding areas.
If you do decide to burn your coffee grounds, start by ensuring that your grounds are dry. Then, burn the grounds as you would incense, on a bowl or on a flat piece of aluminum foil.
What Kind of Pests Will be Repelled By Coffee Grounds?
The following insects have been reported to be disgusted by the scent of coffee grounds:
Slugs
Bees
Wasps
Fleas
Ants
Snails
What are the Other Benefits of Using Coffee Grounds in Your Garden?
Coffee grounds have other positive effects on your garden aside from keeping pests away, such as:
Coffee grounds can help your plants and flourish, which in turn can help with pest control
Coffee grounds are especially helpful for plants that thrive in acidic soil, such as rhododendrons, azaleas, and evergreens
Coffee grounds can act as mulch which will discourage the growth of weeds
Things to Consider
Just like most things in life, the old adage “too much of a good thing” can also apply to coffee grounds in your garden. As coffee grounds are very acidic, it’s important that you practise restraint when adding them to your soil, ensuring that they never make up more than 15 to 20% of your soil’s total volume.
If you do not indulge in a cuppa at home, don’t be afraid to reach out to your local coffee shop! Many establishments will be happy to share their coffee grains with you for free, as it is a mutually beneficial practise that also helps them cut down on the amount of waste that is sent to the landfill.
If you are looking for advice on pest removal in Vancouver, Atlas Pest Control can help you find the solutions you need. Whether you are dealing with a problem that can be efficiently treated by coffee grounds or something much larger, we can find a way to help get your garden under control.
Coffee grounds are effective at repelling pests because of the strong smell. The smell of coffee is repulsive to many bugs and will keep them away from treated areas. Coffee grounds can be used fresh or used, but unused coffee grounds are more effective at repelling pests.
Fresh coffee grounds do not typically attract bugs. However, the intense aroma of coffee grounds can deter certain insects, including mosquitoes and ants.
Why coffee grounds? Since the bears have a strong sense of smell, such a pungent treat is extremely attractive and stimulating to them. The bears roll around in coffee grounds like a cat in catnip!
Are co*ckroaches attracted to coffee grounds? Because co*ckroaches eat just about anything, these uninvited houseguests may feed on coffee grounds. German co*ckroaches are attracted to the odor of ground coffee beans, although the food has no nutritional value to the insects.
Ants especially don't like them - both grounds and the acids damage their exoskeletons. Use spent grounds to keep ants out of the house by laying down a 2 inch wide line around the foundation and entrances. It also works for many kinds of worms, snails, slugs and other insects.
Certain compounds found in coffee, such caffeine and diterpenes, can be highly toxic to insects ( 6 , 7 ). Because of this, you can use coffee grounds to repel bugs. They are effective at deterring mosquitos, fruit flies and beetles, and they may help keep other pests away too ( 8 , 9 ).
You can use your coffee grounds to repel mosquitos, fruit flies, beetles and other pests. To use coffee grounds as an insect and pest repellent, simply set out bowls of grounds or sprinkle them around outdoor seating areas. You can also keep pests out of your garden by scattering coffee grounds around your plants.
You may love your morning coffee, but ants could do without it. Another natural way to deter ants, sprinkle coffee grounds outside and around your garden. The smell repels them and they'll be looking for a less caffeinated place to hang out. Want to keep your home clean and clear of ants?
Turns out coffee can be as good for your lawn's health as it is for yours. Just spread some grounds around your sleepy grass, and it just may perk right up. It isn't really the caffeine that stimulates healthy grass growth, though, but rather the nitrogen in the coffee grounds.
According to the EPA, coffee grounds are a safe and effective way to keep pests away. Coffee grounds can help repel not only mosquitos but also other annoying insects like wasps and bees.
They can help get rid of bad smells, scrub up dirty messes, or protect your pets. Neutralizes Odors — The nitrogen found in coffee is not only beneficial in the garden, but it also helps inside your home as well. Most importantly, it can help absorb and eliminate odors in the air.
Squirrels are not the only garden-dwellers that dislike coffee. Snails and slugs, ants, mosquitoes, skunks, and chipmunks are also repelled by coffee grounds.
Coffee grounds are rich in nutrients, especially nitrogen. They also have some amount of other nutrients like potassium and phosphorous. Overall, this means that adding coffee grounds to your garden can work fairly well as a fertiliser. Coffee should be spread in a thin layer, rather than being clumped in one place.
Some common pests that affect coffee plants include coffee berry borer, coffee leaf miner, and mealybugs. Common diseases that affect coffee plants include coffee leaf rust, American leaf spot, and coffee berry disease.
Introduction: My name is Terrell Hackett, I am a gleaming, brainy, courageous, helpful, healthy, cooperative, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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