There’s nothing better than cracking open the window on a warm spring or summer day. But while letting in the fresh air is great for plenty of reasons, one thing is a huge problem – wasps.
These stinging insects can be a real fear for people, and they are hard to avoid during warm weather. But experts say there’s one natural ingredient that will help keep them away from your home this year. Even better, you’ve probably got it in your kitchen already.
Now is the ideal time to fight an infestation before it actually begins. Early spring is when wasps are at their most opportunistic, quietly settling into properties whilst people are still keeping windows closed.
Once a queen wasp finds a warm, undisturbed space, she’ll begin building her nest. Within weeks, the nest can grow in size and activity, often unnoticed, until it becomes a noisy, potentially dangerous problem.
But Chris Hutton, storage expert and owner of Adam’s Selfstore, has recommended using used coffee grounds as a natural, no-cost deterrent, since wasps are not a fan of the strong aroma.
Wasps have a surprisingly strong sense of smell,” Chris explained. “They rely heavily on scent to identify potential nesting areas, and they’re incredibly sensitive to certain odours, coffee being one of them.
“The smell released by smouldering coffee grounds overwhelms their senses and makes an area feel unsafe or unsuitable to settle in.
“They’re non-toxic, safe around pets, and don’t involve filling your home with strong chemicals.”
This trick has grown in popularity online in recent years, particularly among homeowners looking for greener, non-toxic solutions to pest control.
It’s also great for households trying to cut back during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
How to repel wasps with coffee
- After making your coffee, allow the used grounds to dry out completely
- Place a spoonful in a fireproof container, something like an old metal dish, ceramic ramekin or ashtray works well
- Carefully light the grounds with a match or lighter and let them smoulder like incense
- The slow burn releases a strong, smoky aroma that wasps find overwhelming
For best results, use the deterrent in areas where wasps might enter or explore: loft spaces, window sills, attic hatches, near extractor fans, or even the corners of quiet rooms.
This method also works in outdoor spaces too, so if you’re planning a BBQ and don’t want wasps to invade, bring the coffee grounds outside and burn them around your table.