People are sprinkling used coffee grounds outside their front door this summer — and it's not as weird as it sounds

How To
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Ants absolutely hate this

used coffee ground in hand
(Image credit: Future)

Summer is really hitting its stride, but with the sunny weather comes unwanted pests, and the most pervasive of these can be ants.

Ants travel far and wide in search of food, and they famously spread the word when they hit gold. So all it takes is an open door or some alfresco dining for ants to swarm your home, and getting rid of them can be a nuisance.

Why ants hate coffee grounds

Used coffee puck in hand

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

You might think ants would love coffee grounds, considering these crumbs are the perfect size for ants to carry, and surely offer some nutritional value.

However, sprinkling some coffee grounds outside your front door, or around whichever entrance the ants have found to your home, will actually act as a natural deterrent.

Why do ants hate coffee grounds? According to GardenBuildingsDirect, they don't like the smell.

This also applies to vinegar, which experts say you can spray outside your home as an ant deterrent. "Ants dislike strong scents, and it disrupts their trails, making it harder to find food," explains the site.

There's a second reason why ants hate coffee, and it's about the texture of the grounds. "Ants don’t like the smell and acidity of coffee grounds, and they don’t like the feeling of them underfoot."

How to use coffee grounds to deter ants

Ants crawling along a floor against a wall

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

According to www.coffee-direct.co.uk, "Research shows that caffeine is effective in repelling slugs and snails when applied to foliage or the growing medium of plants. This is because of the naturally abrasive properties of coffee: soft critters tend to avoid rough surfaces."

So it's not just ants that will avoid your coffee grounds, but also slugs and snails.

To keep pests at bay, simply "create a barrier by sprinkling them around entry points and replace regularly."

However, be aware that "once they dry, they become less effective".

I'll be taking my used grounds straight from my knock box to my front yard to make the most of the residual moisture, but you could also add some water to re-hydrate grounds and get more use from them.

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Millie Fender
Millie Fender
Managing Editor, Homes

Millie is the Managing Editor of Homes at Tom's Guide. She's been reviewing home tech for over five years, testing everything from coffee makers to the latest vacuum cleaners.

With particular expertise in cookware and kitchen appliances, you'll struggle to find an air fryer Millie hasn't tested. She's traveled the world reporting on the latest home innovations and product launches, learning how to use pizza ovens from Pizzaiolos in Naples, and touring the De'Longhi factory in Venice. Millie is also an SCA-Certified barista.

When she's not reporting on home and appliance trends, Millie loves watching live music. She's currently learning the guitar - naturally, she plays a Fender.

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