Most people are enjoying the beautiful sunny weather the UK has been experiencing this week, but one of the biggest downsides is having to deal with mosquitoes trying to bite us. It might seem easy to just use insecticide sprays to keep these biting pests away, but they often contain harmful toxins that can linger on surfaces and cost a lot of money.
Instead, the experts at WW Nursery have shared that there is a simple way to keep mosquitoes away that are already sitting in your kitchen as all you need is some coffee grounds. They said: “Using coffee grounds to keep mosquitoes away is the best mosquito repellent. It’s extremely cheap, especially if you’re already a coffee drinker and have grounds on hand.
“It’s incredibly easy to do. It’s entirely natural and much safer than any commercial product.”
Coffee grounds have a strong, sharp smell that will block a mosquito’s scent receptors, which can confuse them and make it more difficult for them to detect humans to bite.
Mosquitoes will also avoid coffee grounds as the strange new scent can also signal danger to them, and they will be wary of going near the area.
However, coffee grounds not only deter mosquitoes but can also prevent them from breeding, as they contain compounds that can be toxic to their eggs.
Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, so sprinkling coffee into nearby puddles, plant pots, and watering cans will make it difficult for young mosquitoes to survive.
How to use coffee grounds to keep mosquitoes away
All you need to do is collect some dry coffee grounds and place them in a fireproof bowl like a glass candle holder. If you are using leftover coffee grounds, you will need to get rid of any moisture first. Place them in a bowl, cover with foil and wait for them to dry.
Light the grounds like you would when burning incense, and it should keep mosquitoes away during a picnic, barbecue, or outdoor gathering.
If you are indoors, place coffee grounds near windows or any other spot you have noticed mosquitoes to keep them away.
It tends to be best to mix coffee grounds with other strong-smelling ingredients they hate, such as bay leaves, lavender or even mint. You can mix them together in a dish or burn them.
You should also scatter coffee grounds in any standing water in your garden or around your home. However, be careful not to add them to birdbaths, as they could greatly harm birds if they try to eat them.