Coffee powder is one of the many household remedies against wasps that are being promoted everywhere. Experiences with this show sometimes more, sometimes less success. How it really works depends on the correct application. The side effects are again a matter of taste.
How does coffee powder work against wasps?
Coffee powder can work against wasps by lighting it on fire, releasing unattractive roasted aromas and smoke. Use a fireproof metal container and pay attention to safety. However, the smoky smell is not pleasant for everyone.
The fine nose of wasps
Wasps have a very keen sense of smell. And they also need it given the amount of special food they have to find every day for themselves and their offspring. Their menu includes not only clearly smelling sweet jams, fallen fruit or grilled steaks, but primarily fine, fragrant flower nectar, honeydew and insects.
Most home remedies for wasps are aimed at their sensitive sense of smell. Plants such as basil, lavender and lemon verbena, citronella or clove oil are said to form repellent odor barriers against the stinging insects. The fact that these smells are unpleasant for wasps has also been proven experimentally.
Coffee aroma is too roasty for wasps
Wasps also find the roasted aroma of coffee powder unattractive. But to really rub it in their faces, it's not enough to just scatter it or put a pot of freshly brewed coffee on the table. In order for the odor barrier to be effective, the powder must be lit. To ensure that you do not suffer any damage, please note the following things:
- Use a very (!) fireproof container, preferably made of metal
- Place on non-combustible surface
- If possible, place it so that it cannot tip over and is out of reach of children
- Try out whether the smell doesn't bother you
If you stick a match into a pile of coffee powder, it will start to glow. This creates a lot of heat, which ceramic ashtrays cannot withstand in the long term. So that the container doesn't blow up in your face while you're drinking coffee, you should use a metal container if possible. It is best to place it on a rechaud, a stone coaster or on a wall next to the terrace.
Apart from the coffee aroma that is released when the powder burns, the resulting smoke also drives away the wasps. However, not everyone likes the smoky smell that develops. So test out whether you can tolerate it while eating. In general, experts recommend not just relying on odor barriers to drive away wasps, but above all to prevent the attractive smells of the food from getting in by covering them to get very airborne.