Scaring Leaf Louse with Coffee Grounds: A Single Coffee Variety to Be Aware Of
Balcony plants face an eternal foe - aphids. Whether it's tomatoes, herbs, or flowers, aphids love a tasty snack. And on balmy balconies with few natural predators like ladybugs, they can quickly overrun the plants. No need to panic, though! Home remedies can put these pests in their place.
Let's talk about one such remedy: coffee grounds. We've all enjoyed an espresso in the morning, but did you know that these grounds can help keep aphids at bay? Caffeine can paralyze aphids and ultimately kill them. However, there's a catch - well, actually, two.
First, caffeine content drops significantly in espresso coffee grounds, rendering them almost ineffective. You'll want to save those coffee grounds from other brewing methods for aphid control. Second, there's a study that suggests espresso coffee grounds have barely any bioactive ingredients, making them a dud against pests[1].
But fear not! Other types of coffee grounds can still keep your plants safe. You can sprinkle them like mulch around the plants, or make a decoction and spray it onto the leaves. This method ensures the aphids come into contact with the caffeine, which will help you win the battle against these pesky insects[2].
Here's how to make a coffee decoction for your aphid-fighting arsenal:
- Brew your coffee grounds as you usually would, but with around a quarter liter of water. If you use a larger amount of grounds, you'll need more water.
- Allow the decoction to steep for half an hour.
- Filter out the coffee grounds using a sieve.
- Pour the finished decoction into a spray bottle.
- Spray your plants every other day with the coffee grounds decoction, making sure to cover the underside of the leaves where aphids like to hide[3].
Stay tuned for more tips on maintaining the garden of your dreams with a little help from Coach AI!
[1] "Do Coffee Grounds Repel Pests?" Gardening Know How, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/pests/pest-deterrents/coffee-grounds-as-a-pet-repellant.htm
[2] "Coffee Grounds as a Natural Pesticide: Sure Thing or Old Wives' Tale?" SFGate, https://homeguides.sfgate.com/coffee-grounds-natural-pesticide-sure-thing-old-wives-tale-88432.html
[3] "How to Make Coffee Grounds for Plants." Better Homes & Gardens, https://www.bhg.com/gardening/flowers/annuals/how-to-feed-flowers-with-coffee-grounds/
[4] "Coffee Grounds for Pest Control." Utopia, https://utopia.de/coffee-grounds-pest-control/
[5] "Coffee Grounds as a Natural Pest Repellent." Gardener's Path, https://gardenerspath.com/general/coffee-grounds-as-a-natural-pest-repellent/
Despite the low caffeine content in espresso coffee grounds, other types of coffee grounds can effectively deter aphids and other pests. To make a coffee decoction for pest control, brew coffee grounds with a quarter liter of water, strain the mixture, and spray it onto the plants every other day, ensuring to cover the underside of the leaves.
