For us, the smell of cinnamon can evoke memories of cozy mornings and warm baked goods. Ants, on the other hand, find the scent intolerable and will go out of their way to avoid it. Because of this, cinnamon is commonly touted as a natural home remedy for ant issues, but does it live up to the hype?
How it works:
Cinnamon does not kill ants, but it can deter or redirect ants when properly applied. Cinnamon contains a compound known as cinnamaldehyde, which disrupts ants’ ability to follow each other’s pheromone trails and sniff out food sources. Ants avoid areas where cinnamon is present.
While the idea of using household cinnamon might be appealing, standard culinary cinnamon is generally not potent enough to effectively deter ants. Ants may walk around a sprinkle of it on your counter, but cinnamon alone will not keep them from coming back. Highly concentrated cinnamon extracts and essential oils have shown some effectiveness. However, the results vary by species, are often short-term, and require frequent reapplication to maintain efficacy.
Use Caution:
If you choose to incorporate cinnamon into your pest control, there are some things to keep in mind:
1. Cinnamon is a repellent, it does not kill ants
2. Use cinnamon essential oil. Ground cinnamon is not strong enough to deter ants
3. Cinnamon essential oil must be reapplied every few days to be effective
4. Cinnamon essential oil is toxic to dogs and cats and must be kept away from pets
5. Cinnamon essential oil can cause redness, itchiness, burning, and blistering when in direct contact with skin.
Other Eco-Friendly Options:
There are also plenty of other environmentally conscious ways to protect your home against ant invasion if cinnamon isn’t your cup of tea.
Remove Attractants
Ants are drawn into your home by the promise of abundant food sources. You can discourage ants from scouting out your home by cleaning spills promptly, storing food in air-tight containers, and keeping counters, floors, and sinks free of food debris.
Eliminate Conducive Conditions
Damp or decaying wood is easy for carpenter ants to excavate. Reducing moisture can be an effective preventative measure against ants. Proper ventilation, repairing leaks, replacing damaged wood, and using a dehumidifier can eliminate excess moisture and fortify your home against would-be infiltrators.
Seal Gaps
Ants are persistent when it comes to finding an entry into your home. Caulk cracks, repair window screens, and install weather stripping to remove any opportunity ants might have to make their way inside. Modern Pest Services professionals are trained to identify and seal all potential entry points that ants might use to get into your home.
Consider Professional Pest Control
A well-established ant colony can be difficult to eradicate on your own, and repellents may not be effective if the nest is located within the structure of your home. Pest control professionals can take a holistic approach to pest control, known as integrated pest management (IPM), which uses multiple strategies to manage pest populations sustainably and effectively. As practitioners of IPM, Modern Pest Services not only offers organic pest control options, such as naturally derived treatments, but also provides:
- Professional Inspection: A qualified pest control professional can accurately identify carpenter ant infestations, locate nests (which can be hidden within walls), and assess the extent of the damage.
- Targeted Treatments: We have access to specialized treatments and application methods to effectively eliminate carpenter ant colonies.
- Long-Term Solutions: We will also advise on preventative measures to minimize the risk of future infestations.
While cinnamon might offer a temporary deterrent, a combination of preventative measures and the expertise of Modern Pest Services will provide the most effective and sustainable solution for your ant problems. For comprehensive and long-lasting ant control, including effective and organic options, contact the experts at Modern Pest Services today for a free inspection.