For many people, coffee is the reason they get up in the morning. Fungus gnats see it very differently. The pests take to their heels as soon as they see coffee grounds in their vicinity. Use this dislike to fight the unwelcome little animals. On this page you will find interesting information about the application and the mode of action of the intercepted coffee powder.
Coffee grounds are a valuable fertilizer and keep fungus gnats away
Which coffee grounds are suitable?
Regardless of whether you brew fresh beans in the coffee machine in the morning or use pre-ground coffee, almost any coffee grounds are suitable for fighting the fungus gnat. In addition to the coffee filter, you can even use the rest from coffee capsules. However, this is a bit more difficult to obtain.
application
- It is up to you whether you collect the coffee grounds first or immediately put them on the potting soil.
- The required amount depends both on your coffee consumption and the intensity of the infestation.
- Pour your coffee filter out onto a plate or place the coffee grounds in a large bowl.
- You have to cut open coffee pods and empty them as well.
- Distribute the coffee grounds on the chosen surface.
- Scatter the coffee grounds over a large area so that the bottom layer does not start to mold.
- Now let the powder dry.
- Once you have collected enough coffee grounds, pour them over the substrate of the affected plant.
- Make sure the soil is completely covered.
Pay attention to what?
Coffee grounds slightly change the pH of the substrate. For sensitive plants with high location demands on the soil, you should therefore only apply a thin layer. It is also necessary to cover the substrate of neighboring plants so that the fungus gnats do not jump onto them. Sand, for example, is recommended for this.
mode of action
Fungus gnats lay their eggs in the potting soil. The hatching brood later feeds on the plant. With the coffee grounds you deny the pests access to the potting soil and thus interrupt the propagation cycle.