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Are you tired of pesky voles digging up your garden and ruining your plants? Do you want a simple and natural way to keep these little critters away from your yard? If so, we’ve got some great news for you: coffee grounds can help to repel voles!
How Do Coffee Grounds Repel Voles?
That’s right, folks. Not only do coffee grounds provide a delicious and energizing drink, but they can also be used as a natural vole repellent. But how do coffee grounds repel voles? Here’s how it works:
Save your used coffee grounds from your morning brew and spread them around the areas of your garden where you want to keep voles away. This can include flower beds, vegetable gardens, or any other areas where voles tend to dig and burrow.
As the coffee grounds break down, they release a strong and unpleasant smell that voles don’t like. This smell will help to keep the voles away from the areas where you’ve spread the coffee grounds.
The coffee grounds will also help to keep other pests away from your garden. For example, coffee grounds can help to deter slugs and snails from your plants. So not only are you keeping voles away, but you’re also protecting your plants from other pests.
And as an added bonus, the coffee grounds will also provide a boost of nutrients to your soil as they break down. So not only are you keeping voles away, but you’re also giving your plants a little extra TLC.
What’s the Difference Between Voles and Moles?
Have you ever been out in your garden, admiring your beautiful plants, and suddenly noticed strange tunnels and mounds of dirt? You might start to wonder what kind of critter could be causing this chaos. Fear not, because we’re here to help you determine whether the culprit is a vole or a mole.
First things first, let’s go over the basics. Voles are small, mouse-like creatures that can often be found in gardens, lawns, and fields. They have short, stocky bodies, small eyes, and round noses. On the other hand, moles are long, slender creatures with pointed noses, large front paws, and tiny eyes.
So how do you tell the difference between the two? One key difference is the type of damage they cause. Voles are known for their underground tunnels and surface runways, which can be destructive to plants and lawns. They also love to munch on the roots of plants, which can lead to wilting and death.
Moles, on the other hand, create raised, tunnel-like paths called “molehills” as they burrow through the ground. These paths are usually less destructive to plants and are more of an eyesore.
Another way to tell the difference is by looking at their diet. Voles are herbivores and primarily eat plants and vegetables, while moles are carnivores and mostly eat insects and worms. So if you notice a lot of holes in your garden and an absence of plants, it’s probably a vole. But if you see molehills and an abundance of worms, it’s probably a mole.
How Can I Get Rid Of Voles Using Coffee Grounds Permanently?
Here’s your step-by-step guide on how to get rid of voles using coffee grounds:
Step 1: Gather your materials.
For this project, you’ll need:
- A bag of coffee grounds (used is fine)
- Water
- A watering can or spray bottle
Step 2: Mix the coffee grounds and water.
In a large bowl or bucket, mix together 1 cup of coffee grounds with 1 gallon of water. The coffee grounds should start to dissolve in the water, creating a dark brown liquid.
Step 3: Apply the mixture to your garden.
Using a watering can or spray bottle, apply the coffee ground mixture to the areas of your garden where you’ve seen vole activity. Be sure to get the mixture on all the plants and soil, as this is where the voles will be.
Step 4: Wait and watch.
Now all you have to do is wait and watch. The coffee grounds will act as a natural repellent for the voles, and they should start to stay away from your garden. If you do notice any vole activity after a few days, simply reapply the mixture to keep them away.
Step 5: Repeat as needed.
To ensure that the voles stay away for good, you’ll want to reapply the coffee ground mixture every few weeks. This will keep the area smelling strongly of coffee, which the voles won’t be able to stand.
And that’s it! With just a few simple steps, you can use coffee grounds to get rid of voles permanently and keep your garden looking beautiful. So next time you have a vole problem, don’t reach for the chemicals. Instead, turn to your trusty coffee grounds for a natural and cost-effective solution.
What Other Smells Do Voles Hate?
Did you know that there are other smells that voles absolutely loathe? If you’re looking for a natural, non-toxic way to keep these little critters out of your garden or yard, read on to discover five smells that voles hate!
Peppermint: Voles can’t stand the strong, refreshing scent of peppermint. You can plant peppermint around the perimeter of your garden or yard, or use peppermint-scented oil or candles to keep voles at bay.
Citrus: Just like with peppermint, the sharp, citrusy scent of oranges, lemons, and limes is a major turn-off for voles. You can use citrus-scented oils or candles, or even just place slices of citrus fruit around your garden to keep voles away.
Garlic: Voles can’t stand the pungent aroma of garlic, so planting garlic around your garden can be an effective deterrent. You can also use garlic-infused oils or hang garlic bulbs near areas where you’ve seen voles.
Fox urine: Believe it or not, the smell of fox urine is one that voles really can’t stand. You can purchase fox urine online or at a hunting supply store and use it to create a natural barrier around your garden or yard. Just be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging, as it can be a strong scent for humans as well!
Other Ways to Use Coffee Grounds Around the Garden
If you’re a fan of sustainability and finding new ways to reuse and repurpose everyday items, you’ll love discovering all the different ways you can use coffee grounds in your garden!
Plant Nutrients
First things first: coffee grounds are a great source of nutrients for plants. They’re high in nitrogen, which is essential for healthy plant growth, and they also contain other minerals like potassium and phosphorus. But coffee grounds aren’t just good for your plants’ diet, they also have a number of other uses in the garden.
Mulch
One of the most obvious ways to use coffee grounds in the garden is as mulch. Simply spread a thin layer of coffee grounds around the base of your plants (making sure to leave a few inches of space between the grounds and the stem) to help retain moisture in the soil and suppress weeds. Coffee grounds can also be mixed into the soil to add an extra boost of nutrients to your plants.
Pest Deterrent
But coffee grounds aren’t just for plants, they can also help deter pests. Slugs and snails aren’t fans of the sharp, abrasive texture of coffee grounds, so scattering them around your plants can help keep these pesky critters at bay.
Compost
If you’re an avid gardener, you’re probably familiar with the importance of composting. Well, guess what? Coffee grounds are a fantastic addition to your compost pile! They break down quickly and add an extra boost of nutrients to your compost. Just be sure to mix them in with a balance of green (nitrogen-rich) and brown (carbon-rich) materials to create optimal composting conditions.
Natural Fertilizer
Coffee grounds can even be used to make your own natural fertilizer. Simply mix equal parts coffee grounds, water, and crushed eggshells (which are high in calcium) in a jar and let it sit for a few days. The resulting mixture can be diluted and used as a liquid fertilizer for your plants.
For Chickens
Did you know that coffee grounds are also great for chickens?
Chickens enjoy having coffee grounds, so if you find yourself with some spare coffee grounds, why not give them some to munch on? However, make sure to do so in moderation. Due to coffee grounds containing nitrogen, too high amounts are bad for chickens.
As you can see, coffee grounds are a versatile and useful addition to any garden. So the next time you brew a pot of coffee, don’t toss those grounds in the trash, put them to good use in your garden instead!
Use Coffee Grounds to Repel Voles Today!
So there you have it, coffee grounds are a simple and natural way to keep voles away from your garden. So next time you’re brewing a pot of coffee, don’t toss those grounds in the trash, save them and use them to keep those pesky voles away from your plants!