Gardeners are being urged to place bowls of coffee grounds on their patios this month as a natural method to repel pests and absorb unpleasant smells. The technique, which combines coffee grounds with bicarbonate of soda, has been endorsed by gardening specialists at WWNursery.
How the natural remedy works
Leftover coffee, with its coarse texture, can soak up odours, while bicarbonate of soda is known for its neutralising properties. Households can blend the two ingredients in a bowl and use them throughout the house and garden, such as in the fridge, bin or vehicle to neutralise smells, or on patios and windowsills to ward off insects.
Most insects, including spiders and mosquitoes, have a highly developed sense of smell and are repelled by the potent scent of coffee grounds. The gardeners at WWNursery said: "As unlikely as it sounds, the solution is coffee grounds! Coffee grounds are a safe and effective way to keep pests away. Coffee grounds can help repel not only mosquitoes but also other annoying insects like wasps and bees."
Expert advice on odour absorption
According to experts at TheKitchn, coffee contains nitrogen, which helps neutralise odours rather than merely masking them, just "like baking soda, but with a much cosier scent". They explained: "The grounds naturally absorb all kinds of funky smells and leave behind a very light coffee aroma."
The specialists suggested: "While I used this trick for my kitchen trash, you can easily use it all over your home, from the fridge or freezer to soak up food smells, to your car if it's starting to get musty, or even near litter boxes and pet areas." The US Department of Agriculture advised: "Sprinkle fresh coffee grounds or baking soda loosely in a large, shallow container in the bottom of the refrigerator and freezer."
How to prepare the natural solution
Simply place the used grounds on a plate or baking sheet to dry completely, as wet coffee can get mouldy quickly. Once dry, place the coffee into a bowl or small container or bag and add two or three spoons of bicarbonate of soda. Place the bowl wherever you need a little help with odour or pests.
