Are you looking for a natural and eco-friendly solution to keep pests away from your home or garden? THE coffee grounds may well be the ideal alternative. In addition to being an excellent fertilizer, it can also be used as natural repellent against various types of unwanted insects and animals. Find out how to use coffee grounds to protect your plants and living space.
Why use coffee grounds as a natural repellent?
Coffee grounds are not only cheap, but also easy to obtain. Indeed, just grab the one you get after making your morning coffee.
Moreover, it is a solution 100% natural and environmentally friendlyunlike commercial chemicals that can harm biodiversity and pollute the soil.
The main advantage of coffee grounds is its smell. Although we generally enjoy the aroma of coffee, some creatures are very sensitive to it and can’t stand the smell. Thus, by using coffee grounds as a repellent, you can create an odor barrier that prevents pests from taking up residence in your home or garden.
How to use coffee grounds to repel insects?
Insects are the main pests that we seek to keep away from our living space. Coffee grounds can act as a repellent against several types of insects, including:
- The ants
- aphids
- flies
- Cockroaches
- Slugs and snails
To use coffee grounds as a repellent, just follow these simple steps:
- Collect the coffee grounds and let them air dry.
- Once dry, sprinkle coffee grounds around insect-infested areas or directly on plants to protect them.
- Repeat the operation regularly, especially after rain, which tends to dilute and disperse the grounds.
Tip to enhance the repellent effect
If you find that the smell of coffee grounds is not enough to repel some insects, you can combine it with other natural ingredients to create a stronger mix. For example, add peppermint leaves, cloves or even citrus zest to coffee grounds to obtain an even more effective multi-odor repellent.
Keeping unwanted animals away with coffee grounds
Coffee grounds can also be used to ward off certain animals that come to rummage in your garden or invade your terrace. Among them are in particular:
- Stray cats and dogs
- Rabbits
- Birds (especially pigeons)
- Rodents (rats, mice, etc.)
To protect your plants and your outdoor space, simply follow the same method as for insects: sprinkle dry coffee grounds around the areas to be protected and repeat the operation regularly.
Beware of excess
Although coffee grounds are an effective natural repellent, they should be used in moderation. Indeed, too much marc can harm certain plants by suffocating them or excessively acidifying the soil. So be sure to dose the amount of marc you use and do not hesitate to seek advice from a specialist if you have any doubts about its compatibility with your plants.
In summary
Coffee grounds are a versatile natural repellent, which keeps both insects and unwanted animals out of your home and garden. Thanks to its characteristic smell, it creates an olfactory barrier that disturbs pests and encourages them to seek refuge elsewhere. To take advantage of its benefits, simply collect your daily coffee grounds, let them dry and then spread them around the areas to be protected. Do not forget to renew the operation regularly to guarantee optimal protection.
