I've hit on the 1 way to keep wasps away from your summer outdoor dining this July – it's non-toxic, takes seconds, and always works

Summer is in full swing, and alfresco dining season is officially here. However, the party atmosphere can be somewhat scuppered by the arrival of particularly antagonistic and unwelcome visitors: wasps.

There are many old wives' tales about the many methods one can utilize to deter these hostile little fellows, but more often than not, they end up doing little more than providing an easy obstacle that wasps have zero trouble overcoming. If you're trying to tackle this vexing issue and wondering how to get rid of wasps, happily, this is a solution that genuinely works.

You might know that burning coffee grounds gets rid of mosquitoes, and does so remarkably well. But you might not know that this very same trick is the best there is for stopping wasps from thwarting your summer soirée plans. Here we look at exactly how you can deter wasps by burning coffee grounds.

How burning coffee grounds works to keep wasps away

This is a particularly great method of deterring these mean-spirited little bugs because whilst it is entirely harmless (it won't kill or harm any insects), wasps despise the smell of burning coffee grounds and daren't come even remotely close.

Once you do this once, you will never want to douse yourself in the harsh chemicals found in commercial big spray ever again.

Burning coffee grounds releases caffeine and diterpenes compounds, and a very strong, smoky, and bitter smell, which humans love, but wasps abhor. If placed at the end of a table, wasps will not want to come even close once they catch a whiff of the intense coffee scent.

'At a recent family barbecue, wasps were everywhere,' notes Head of Interiors at Homes & Gardens, Hebe Hatton.

'That was until my mother-in-law produced a bowl of smoking coffee. It's a trick she uses to repel mosquitoes, but it turns out to work just as well against wasps, as once the bowl was placed at one end of the table (away from us and the food), the wasps stayed away,' she explains.

'Everyone wanted to know how she'd done it, and turns out it was easier than you would think. Place a few heaped tablespoons of ground coffee (she said she always buys the cheapest just for this trick) into a heat-safe bowl, then take a match or lighter to the grounds.

'They won't dramatically set alight, there's no flame at all, in fact, they just start to smoke and smoulder. Just be sure to place it slightly away from your seating area as the smell is quite strong.'

How to deter wasps by burning coffee

• If you are re-using used coffee grounds from your cafetière, be sure that the coffee grounds are truly dry, else they will not light at all. My suggestion is to use old grounds so there is no wastage, rather than using fresh grounds, as this makes it super cheap as well as nifty.
• Use a heat proof dish. Your favorite hand painted dish is not the one this time. Ideally use a metallic dish; an old washed can of beans would be perfect.
• Place on a heatproof surface. Don't put the dish on a tablecloth or anything that won't like the intense heat.
• Add coffee grounds to your dish and use a match to light them until they start to smoulder. Once you see smoke rising, it is ready to go. You do not need to wait to see a flame. Think of it like incense, you aren't looking for a burst of flames, but a gentle smoulder.
• Enjoy a wasp-free summer!
• Note: Only use this method outdoors. Do not bring it indoors as it poses a safety risk, and it can make dogs and cats feel sick. Keep it outdoors only where it will not bother pets. Don't leave the burning coffee grounds unattended and ensure it is put out before retreating to bed.

Shop summer wasp deterrent essentials

One of the best and most natural, non-toxic ways to confront the issue of wasps attacking midsummer supper is to plant up around your outdoor dining area with the best wasp repellent plants, including marigolds and basil.