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.
Spreading coffee grounds throughout your garden will also attract insects, such as, worms. Worms provide tons of nutrients to help your garden grow and thrive.
Coffee Grounds
Not only do coffee grounds smell good, but they also work wonders when it comes to warding off unwelcome guests such as spiders.
Coffee grounds contain several key minerals for plant growth — nitrogen, calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium and chromium. They may help absorb heavy metals that can contaminate soil. What's more, coffee grounds help attract worms, which are great for your garden.
But did you know you can reuse this common kitchen waste item? Coffee grounds can contain nutrients and micronutrients like nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and other trace minerals. Recycling your old coffee grounds is an easy way to fertilize plants and help reduce your household waste.
How Often Should You Add Coffee Grounds to Plants? You can fertilize houseplants an average of 7 to 10 days in a row, but no more, as there is a risk of over-acidification of the soil. A cup of ground coffee should be added to the compost once a week.
It would be sensible to avoid spreading coffee grounds around seeds or seedlings as they may inhibit germination and growth. There is a more obvious reason why using coffee grounds alone for mulching could be detrimental. Like clay soil, coffee grounds consist of very fine particles that are prone to locking together.
Roaches are repelled by ground coffee. In fact, putting some ground coffee down in the corners or windowsills of your kitchen can actually help keep them insects away.
Coffee's bitter compounds are responsible for its repelling effects. These compounds make the coffee unpalatable to rats and mice. They will avoid areas where there is the use of coffee grounds.
Since coffee grounds have such a pungent and intense smell, mosquitoes do not like to come near it. Mosquitoes are repulsed by all types of coffee, whether it is fresh, used, or burnt. The most effective way to use coffee grounds for mosquito control is by burning them, as it creates a stronger aroma.
Not only do they repel mosquitoes, but also other insects such as wasps and bees. Coffee grounds are the bee's knees when it comes to staying bug bite free. Most bugs have a very strong sense of smell. Coffee grounds are very potent and even more potent once they are burned.
Coffee grounds are commonly used to keep animals including slugs, snails, rabbits and fire ants from eating plants in the garden, and to keep cats from treating garden beds like litter boxes.
Coffee grinds are an excellent solution for tick prevention that is safe and effective. Coffee grounds should be mixed into shower gel, spread evenly, and rubbed into their fur and skin. Rinse with water and usually dry.
Coffee grounds repel pests. Most pests do not like the smell of coffee, so they will stay away- Fungus Gnat is no different. If your coffee grounds are not repelling them, you're not doing it right. One thing you would have to do is to avoid spreading the coffee grounds on the face of your potting soil.
Other Natural Repellents
Mothballs — place them around the perimeter, and their pungent smell will repel snakes. Vinegar — mix it with water and spray often. Caffeine — sprinkle coffee grounds or instant coffee granules. Spices — chili powder and cayenne pepper work the best.
These things are great for nutrient poor lawns and lawns on clay or sandy soil. However, coffee grounds still contain some residual caffeine, which can cause harm to the micro fauna in your soil, and that's why it is not recommended to apply coffee waste directly to your lawn.
– Coffee. Coffee has been shown to keep raccoons away from visiting human settlements. So, you can sprinkle coffee grounds into the soil.
“the smell of the coffee repels snails, slugs and ants. You may also have success using coffee grounds to repel mammals, including cats, rabbits and deer.”
As it turns out, there are several smells that these pests cannot stand, which means you can use them to your advantage. But what exactly do mice and rats hate to smell? Mice can be kept away by using the smells of peppermint oil, cinnamon, vinegar, citronella, ammonia, bleach, and mothballs.
Smells that roaches hate: a quickfire summary
Oregano, rosemary, mint, eucalyptus, lemongrass and catnip are great herby options. Citrus oils work brilliantly too. And surprisingly, lower concentrations – 2.5 parts per hundred – seem to work best as deterrents. Just don't bother with lavender.
Ants are naturally repulsed by the smell and acidity of coffee grounds. But somehow, the coffee maker is one of the most common hotspots for an ant infestation. Warm, dark, and humid, a coffee machine makes the perfect hiding and breeding spot for these tiny creatures.
Sugar is by far the most attractive substance to a cockroach. They love sugar and can smell it from anywhere. This means you'll want to keep your sugar containers, fruits, and other sweeteners sealed in air-tight containers that are up off the floor.
The green fungus called Trichoderma, is very beneficial to the soil. The blue-green fungus is moderately beneficial. At any rate, moldy coffee is good to use directly in the garden, on your houseplants, or in the compost pile.
The shells also contain other minerals that help plants grow, including potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Eggshells are, therefore, an effective and inexpensive fertilizer for outdoor garden soil and houseplants.
Eggshell Benefits
As it happens, eggshells can provide all the calcium carbonate the soil needs, which helps to lower the soil's pH level and make it more alkaline as opposed to acidic. This is incredibly beneficial for plant growth because many plants prefer to grow in soil that has low acidity.