Ants are a common and frustrating pest, but this simple tip will stop them coming back.
Discovering a swarm of insects in your home can be deeply unsettling, particularly when you’re unsure of where they’ve come from. The question most of us ask when confronted with seasonal household pests, such as ants, is how to eliminate them quickly.
That’s precisely what fans of Mrs Hinch were discussing in the Facebook group ‘Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips’. One worried homeowner sought advice after returning home to find “hundreds” of ants emerging from beneath the washing machine and kitchen cupboards, prompting a wave of responses.
Many suggested using a widely available spice that Nicole Carpenter, president of Black Pest Prevention, says “creates an unfavourable environment for ants, making them want to leave your space.”
Fellow Facebook group members shared their tried and tested remedies, with one user claiming: “Cinnamon works. I did it and they never came back.”
Another commented, “They hate cinnamon, it got rid of ours.” A third added, “We live out in the country, and for some reason, I get them in the kitchen every few years. I use cinnamon and they are gone in a day and don’t come back.”
Pest specialist Nicole clarified that while this warming, aromatic spice can be deployed to repel ants from your home, it’s worth noting that “the scent of cinnamon itself doesn’t kill ants”
Nevertheless, it functions as an effective deterrent owing to its powerful aroma, which disrupts the pheromone trails ants rely upon to locate food.
That said, it must be applied correctly to achieve the best results, reports the Express.
How to deter ants with cinnamon
Cracks and gaps in the foundation, walls, and around windows and doors are typical entry points for hungry ants.
It’s worthwhile inspecting poorly sealed or damaged door and window frames, which can offer straightforward access for these unwelcome visitors.
If you spot ants entering through these areas, mix cinnamon with a small amount of water and apply it using a cotton bud along their route into your property.
While cinnamon is frequently compared to vinegar and essential oils, which serve as alternative natural ant repellents, it functions differently to other substances.
According to Ismael Girard, CEO of Pest Agent, the key ingredient in cinnamon that may disturb ants is cinnamaldehyde.
He explained: “This substence tampers with ants’ pheromone trails, making it harder for them to navigate toward their food sources or return to their colonies.”
Ants are typically attracted to spaces like the kitchen, where they can easily locate food sources to transport back to the rest of their colony.
Consistent cleaning, appropriate food storage, and immediate cleanup of spills and crumbs are essential to avoid attracting ants.
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