Burning coffee grounds as a mosquito repellent has gone viral on social media, but experts say there's no scientific proof to support this claim. Alissa Berro, a mosquito control expert in Pinellas County, states that while a 2015 study showed fewer mosquito eggs in water containing coffee grounds, there's no evidence that burning coffee effectively repels mosquitoes. Instead, proven natural repellents include citronella and oil of lemon eucalyptus, the latter showing similar efficacy to DEET in studies. For effective mosquito control, the CDC recommends wearing long, loose-fitting clothing, eliminating standing water, and using EPA-registered insect repellents with ingredients like DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, OLE, PMD, or 2-undercanone. Despite the allure of new hacks, sticking to these established methods is the best way to prevent mosquito bites and stay safe.
Enjoying the read? Subscribe for free to one of the fastest-growing newsletters and get weekly coffee news (TL;DR updates) delivered right to your inbox.