Can Coffee Grounds Keep Mosquitoes Away? We Tried It
As someone from the South, I’ve dealt with mosquitoes a lot and tried many ways to keep them away. When I saw a new, natural mosquito repellent trick using coffee grounds, I had to give it a try. The idea is simple: burn coffee grounds in a dish, like incense, to repel mosquitoes.
Here’s how I tested it: I took some coffee grounds and a cheap plate on a recent camping trip. When it was time for the campfire, I poured the coffee grounds on the plate and lit them.
At first, it smelled like roasting coffee, which was pleasant, but soon it turned into a strong burning smell, and I had to move away from the smoke.
According to content creator @that40yearguy, this trick worked for him when he stayed close to the smoke for about 30 minutes.
Mosquitoes seemed to stay away while he was near the burning grounds. However, I noticed that mosquitoes returned when I moved further from the smoke.
The idea is that mosquitoes dislike the smell of burning coffee grounds because it contains compounds like caffeine that are toxic to them.
The smoke also interferes with their ability to find people. This method can work briefly if you stay close to the smoke, but it might not replace bug spray entirely.
Parade has provided similar insights on practical tips for keeping mosquitoes at bay, and this trick is another interesting option to consider.
https://parade.com/food/burn-coffee-grounds-to-keep-mosquitos-away