With warm days and outdoor meals, wasps appear again in gardens, balconies, terraces and picnics. For those who want to avoid insecticides, there is a simple trick that has gained popularity: burning ground coffee to create smoke and ward off these insects.
The method is natural, cheap and easy to apply. According to the Spanish newspaper, simply use dry ground coffee, a heat-resistant container, and a lighter or match. When burning slowly, coffee releases smoke with an intense odor that can make the place less attractive to wasps, mosquitoes and other insects.
This trick doesn’t kill wasps. The idea is just to keep them away for a while, allowing you to eat or be outside with less hassle.
How to do the coffee trick
To try it, place dry ground coffee in a small heat-resistant container, such as a ceramic plate, metal bowl, or aluminum lid. The coffee must be dry to be able to smoke.
Then, bring a direct flame closer for a few seconds. The coffee should not burn with a naked flame, but should start to smoke slowly, similar to incense.
The container can be placed near the table, balcony, window or door. If you are eating outside, it should be in a safe place, away from children, animals, fabrics, towels or flammable materials.
Because it can keep wasps away
Coffee smoke contains volatile compounds and has a strong smell, which is unpleasant to some insects. This is why many people use this method as a natural repellent in outdoor spaces.
Wasps tend to avoid areas with smoke and strong odors. The same can happen with mosquitoes and mosquitoes, although the effectiveness varies depending on the location, the wind, the number of insects and the food exposed.
On windy days, the trick may work worse because the smoke disperses quickly. In very open spaces, it may be necessary to place the container at a strategic point, without compromising safety.
Wasps are attracted to sweet foods, ripe fruit, sugary drinks, jams and leftover food. Therefore, in addition to burnt coffee, it is important to keep the table clean and cover food whenever possible.
Drinks in cans or glasses should be checked before drinking because wasps can enter without being seen. This care is especially important with children.
You should also avoid leaving cut fruit, sweets or leftover meat exposed for a long time. The less food available there is, the less likely it is to attract insects to the table.
Other natural tricks
There are other homemade methods used to try to keep wasps away. Some people use cloves, mint, lavender, garlic, roasted onions or essential oils with strong odors.
Another option is to place something sweet, like pieces of melon or some jam, away from the area where you are eating. The idea is to attract the wasps to another spot, away from the main table.
Still, these tricks don’t always work the same way. The behavior of wasps depends on the species, the time of year, the presence of food and the existence of nests nearby.
Don’t try to destroy nests
If there are a lot of wasps on a balcony, garden or roof, there may be a nest nearby. In this case, you should not attempt to destroy it without adequate support.
Removing nests can be dangerous, especially for people with allergies or in hard-to-reach places. The safest thing is to contact specialized services or local authorities, depending on the situation.
Wasp stings can cause pain, swelling and, in people with allergies, serious reactions. In case of difficulty breathing, dizziness, swelling in the face or feeling faint, you should seek urgent medical help.
Simple summer trick
Burnt coffee can be a practical aid for outdoor meals, picnics, barbecues or late afternoons on the balcony. It does not replace basic hygiene and safety precautions, but it can reduce the presence of insects.
The trick is simple: dry coffee, a safe container and pay attention to the fire. If used carefully, it can make the environment more comfortable without resorting to insecticides.
With summer just around the corner, this is an easy solution to try at home. Wasps may not disappear completely, but the smell of burnt coffee can help keep them at a more comfortable distance.
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