Most households end up throwing away coffee grounds. We’ll show you why that’s a bad idea and how you can use them to keep mosquitoes and wasps away.
Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in Germany. No wonder, because it doesn’t just wake you up and taste good, but studies have shown that it can also have a positive effect on your health.
The remaining coffee grounds can also be used in a variety of ways, for example as a fertilizer in the garden or as a hair and scalp treatment.
Good to know in summer: coffee grounds can also repel mosquitoes and wasps.
Get rid of mosquitoes with coffee grounds – here’s how
Coffee grounds can be used as protection against mosquitoes and other insects. All you need to do is light them on fire. The resulting smoke drives away insects and therefore acts as a mosquito repellent, especially during outdoor activities and events.
REPELLING MOSQUITOES AND WASPS STEP BY STEP:
- Collect the coffee grounds in advance and leave them on a baking tray or plate to dry thoroughly in the sun for a day so that they burn well later.
- Alternatively, you can heat them in the oven at 80 degrees for about half an hour or put them in the microwave for 5 minutes at medium power.
- When grilling, place the dried coffee grounds in a grill tray or on a sheet of aluminum foil and then light it with some charcoal or kitchen paper. Allow the resulting smoke to spread.
- If you want to enhance the effect of the smoke, you can also add fresh sage or rosemary and light it on fire.
What’s behind the anti-mosquito trick with coffee grounds
Burning intensifies the already strong smell of coffee or coffee grounds and spreads it over a large area. This reliably repels mosquitoes and other insects.
Another positive effect: compared to chemical mosquito repellents, the use of coffee grounds is natural, inexpensive and even sustainable. You can also clean your barbecue grill the next day with some coffee grounds.
