Aw, man, no matter how hard you try to protect your garden, those critters just keep sneaking in, don’t they? Even after you’ve built fences and screens and used all kinds of sprays, the animals and bugs still find a way to get to your precious plants and produce. It’s so disheartening after all the time and effort you’ve put in to nurturing your garden. But before you go for the heavy-duty pest control, you might want to try this simple trick using a common kitchen item – tea bags! Yep, those used tea bags you’ve got lying around can actually help ward off pests in your yard and garden. The strong scents and natural ingredients in the tea can repel things like slugs, aphids, and caterpillars. And since tea bags are biodegradable, they’re an eco-friendly, chemical-free solution. You can just plant them right in your garden plots or even spray some brewed tea directly on your plants.
Valeriy_g/Getty Images
Why Tea Bags Keep Pests at Bay
New Africa/Shutterstock The thing is, the natural scent of tea bags is really off-putting to all kinds of pests – from cats and mice to bugs. When you plant them around your garden or spray the tea directly on your plants, the strong smells keep those critters from wanting to hang around and snack on your stuff. And the more caffeinated teas, like black and green, are especially potent against insects. Caffeine might keep us humans alert, but for bugs, it’s basically an overdose that can be fatal.
So the type of tea you use can make a difference in how well it works as a natural pest deterrent. Teas with herbs and spices that are known to ward off pests, like lemon, thyme, rosemary, mint, and peppermint, will be extra effective. And if you’re a big drinker of black, green, or matcha tea, be sure to reuse those tea bags in your garden, since the high caffeine content really packs a punch.
