In Did You Know This Seasoning Repels Insects, Lightens Hair, and Freshens Breath?, I promised more information about an environmentally friendly pesticide in the Spring. Guess what? Here in Texas, Spring is here. (Rather, it will be next week when our temps jump back into the 70s.)

 

Protection

Pests are, well . . . pests, wherever you encounter them. Whether it’s insects, like flies, mosquitoes, and roaches, or larger critters like mice, squirrels, and moles, they usually cause trouble.

When it comes to your flower and vegetable gardens, there’s nothing worse than seeing your hard work decimated by pests. Battling them can be challenging, especially if you’re not a fan of pesticides.

But insects aren’t just annoying outside. In the kitchen, a housefly or fruit fly can drive you crazy, as will an unseen mosquito feeding on you while you sleep. And roaches? They’re never good. So how do you fight them? Try a natural solution. There’s one thing they all have in common. They hate cinnamon.

Did You Know…

• A wide variety of insects and other pests don’t like the smell or texture of cinnamon.
• Any rodent highly sensitive to smells won’t tolerate the overpowering scent of cinnamon and one whiff will send them packing.
• Cinnamon oil has 80-88% eugenol.
• Eugenol is also found in traditional insect repellants. It’s thought to kill insects by targeting their nervous system.

 

Methods

Cinnamon comes in three forms: powder, sticks, and essential oil. All three can be used to turn away insects and other pests.

For flowerbeds or gardens, any of the three can be placed on the ground around the plant (or the garden) to protect it. You can also create a homemade insect repellent spray to be used either directly on the plant or on the soil around it. (Remember, for the best results, you’ll need to reapply every couple of weeks and after every rain.)

You can use all three forms of cinnamon inside your house, as well. Whether applying it to houseplants, burning it as incense, or dispensing the essential oil into the air, the objective is the same: release the cinnamon smell and keep pests away.

Did You Know…

• Cinnamon’s essential oil has antimicrobial properties and will help kill bacteria and fungi that attract insects.
• Cinnamon’s antibacterial and anti-fungal properties will also help heal a plant’s cuts or wounds.

 

Pests

The list of pests that don’t like the smell and/or texture of cinnamon is a long one. Here are a few: cockroaches, wasps, spiders, weevils, houseflies, fruit flies, bedbugs, silverfish, thrips, scorpions, earwigs, stink bugs, mice, rats, raccoons, squirrels, moles, weasels, rabbits, and even snakes.

Did You Know…

• Cinnamon also helps prevent spider mites, whiteflies, and aphids.
• Ants not only hate the smell and texture of cinnamon, but inhaling the powder can cause them to suffocate.
• Cinnamon powder sticks to slugs. They may start to cross it but will quickly turn around.
• Thrips don’t like the smell of cinnamon, but they will die if they eat it.
• Cinnamon oil contains chemicals that kill mosquito eggs. Mosquitos smell cinnamon and stay away.

 

Suggestions

Cinnamon Repellent Spray is easy to make. Mix 2 teaspoons of powdered cinnamon with 4 cups of warm water and let steep overnight. Strain it through a coffee filter, then put it in a spray bottle. Add 2 drops of rubbing alcohol and a few drops of mild liquid dish soap (to help it stick to the plants). Shake well. This repellent can be sprayed directly onto a plant or on the soil around it.

To create and use a cinnamon-scented cleaning product simply mix 8 ounces of distilled water, 8 ounces of vinegar, and 20 drops of essential cinnamon oil in a spray bottle.

Did You Know…

• Cinnamon sticks in mulch don’t wash away as easily as cinnamon powder.
• Sprinkling cinnamon in and around trash cans will keep away large and small pests. Cinnamon and water in a trash can will keep flies from laying eggs inside.
• Adding a few cinnamon sticks to the fruit bowl keeps away houseflies and fruit flies.
• Storing cinnamon sticks with dry goods keeps weevils away. (One stick can be added into the food container itself, too.)
• Adding cinnamon sticks to your household décor provides a pleasant fragrance and repels pests.
• Placing cinnamon sticks by windows and doors discourages pests from entering.
• Using cinnamon essential oil in an oil diffuser repels mosquitos and other flying insects while providing a cozy fragrance. (Or simply simmer cinnamon sticks in water, adding other aromatic herbs, spices, or fruit, if desired.)

 

Final Whiff

Cinnamon is a one-spice army, preventing a pest invasion, so don’t leave it in the spice rack. It’s cheap and safe. [WARNING: Cinnamon’s essential oil can be toxic for pets if ingested or it directly contacts their skin.]

Did You Know…

• Cotton balls with cinnamon essential oil can be placed anywhere you don’t want insects. Add more drops when the fragrance weakens or disappears.
• A few cinnamon sticks in your luggage makes it a no-go zone for bedbugs.
• A safe way to keep squirrels (and other pests) away from your bird feeder is to sprinkle cinnamon over the birdseed. It doesn’t deter most birds and can even be a beneficial supplement to their diet. (Or, if you’d prefer, put cinnamon on the ground under the feeder and/or spray the feeder pole with homemade cinnamon repellent.)
• If you live in a warm climate, grow your own cinnamon tree(s) for ultimate backyard pest protection.