Are you tired of deterring squirrels from keeping them away from your pets? Well, there are more aggravating circumstances of letting squirrels roll around your dwellings than just keeping your pets locked up inside. Let’s have a look at them as well as their solution.
Do coffee grounds help to deter squirrels?
Yes, you can get rid of squirrels by coffee grounds. These small, speedy creatures love hanging out in the garden until strong smells repel them. The smell of coffee is the key repellent.
However, several other ways to keep squirrels away from any space you want. In my case, these little rodents would congregate and feast on my plant all night. So, I decided to come up with a cheap yet effective solution.
Do coffee grounds keep squirrels away?
The coffee grounds have a strong smell, which squirrels find very unpleasant. The odor does not harm squirrels but is disliked by them. Thus, they will never come to an area that smells like coffee grounds.
You can save your precious plants by creating a 1/2″ to 1″ thick layer using coffee grounds. Spread them around pots and all over the soil surrounding plants. However, you need to repeat this process every two weeks and replenish the grounds more often after rain.
Why are squirrels dangerous for your plants?
Besides hunting for nuts and seeds in your yard, the following damages can give you a rude awakening.
- Squirrels will like to chew bird seeds if you have a bird feeder in your garden.
- They can damage plants by digging into their roots and bulbs.
- Leaves, fruits, and flowers are their favorite meal.
- They might build a nest in the conservatory, attic space, and basement, creating a lot of mess.
- They can carry diseases harmful to your plants, pets, you, and your family.
Which kind of coffee grounds are used to deter squirrels?
Well, any form of coffee will work. The size of coffee grounds doesn’t disgust squirrels. Instead, it’s the smell that keeps them away.
Coffee is often used as a soil amendment to deter pests. So if we look for handy means, any coffee can deter squirrels. In fact, used coffee grounds are a more convenient choice if you are a coffee lover.
If that’s not the case, you can ask for it at any local coffee shop. The barista might offer you used grounds for free, or in some cases, they charge a few dollars.
Advantages of using coffee grounds in the garden?
Here are some reasons you should consider using coffee grounds in your garden.
Coffee ground as a fertilizer
It contains some basic organic compounds such as nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and copper, contributing as a fertilizer in your garden. It helps in plant growth by providing a suitable, fertile environment and high water retention.
Beneficial for microorganism
Microorganisms such as earthworms like to feed on coffee grounds. It provides the necessary nutritional supply to invite more earthworms to your garden.
Earthworm burrows can improve water infiltration and soil aeration.
Compost bin ingredient
Coffee is the most essential ingredient of the compost bin. It helps in composting organic waste by lowering the acidic PH. Fresh coffee grounds have acidic PH, giving bacteria the essential nitrogen supply to compost material.
Cat Repellent
Being a squirrel deterrent, it can also prevent the soil from becoming a cat litter area. Many other animals, such as snails slugs, are also repelled by it.
Inexpensive deterrent
Pepper spray, ultrasonic animal repellent, and other techniques have also proved to be effective. Yet, coffee deterrent is the cheapest among all.
Fragrance
Coffee grounds smell better than other repellant sprays.
When should you not use coffee grounds?
Well, it’s mostly the pros, but we should be looking either way for better results.
Plant growth inhibitor
It would be best not to spread coffee grounds randomly in your garden. Instead, search for the kind of plant you are cultivating. Some plants don’t respond positively to coffee, and their growth is often stunted.
Many vegetables like slightly acidic soil, but tomatoes typically don’t respond well to the addition of coffee grounds.
Less effective
Coffee repellent is not always your answer. You can also look for red pepper flakes, decoying predators, deterrent sprays, and other alternatives that might work well in your case.
Final Thoughts
The best use of used coffee grounds is to deter squirrels out from your garden. However, you need to refresh the grounds every two weeks and more often after rain. Remember to search for soil preferences before spreading coffee grounds.
