With summer comes sunshine, long, balmy days and gardens bursting with colour. But next to these seasonal delights, less welcome visitors make their return as well – mosquitos, wasps and ants chief among them.
Insects play a vital role in supporting biodiversity and healthy ecosystems, but that does little to ease the frustration of a swarm of wasps hovering around a cake or an army of ants marching across your patio during a relaxing afternoon outdoors.
While wasps aren't as easily deterred, there's a simple fix to ants overrunning your outdoor space as they carry twigs, leaves and food scraps to their nest – and it may already be sitting in your kitchen cupboard.
According to Modern Pest Services, cinnamon acts as a natural deterrent to ants thanks to its strong scent, which interferes with the insects' navigation system without harming them.
"Cinnamon contains a compound known as cinnamaldehyde, which disrupts ants’ ability to follow each other’s pheromone trails and sniff out food sources," the company explains on its website.
To stop ants from invading your patio or outdoor seating area, sprinkle lines of cinnamon around the perimeter to create a natural barrier.
However, a quick dusting of ground cinnamon is unlikely to solve your ant problem for good.
While research published in the International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications in 2014 found that highly concentrated cinnamon was effective at repelling ants, it's worth noting that common cooking cinnamon is far less potent and therefore less effective.
For a stronger effect, Modern Pests Services recommends using cinnamon oil rather than the ground spice. The oil contains higher concentration of cinnamaldehyde and can be diluted with water for easier application. Spraying the mixture every few days can help maintain the deterrent effect.
Pet owners should take care, however, as cinnamon oil can be toxic to cats and dogs if used in outdoor spaces they roam.
Wanda Sachs is the Multiplatform Writer for Country Living and House Beautiful, exploring the latest in gardening, wildlife and sustainable living alongside interiors and property. She is particularly interested in human-interest stories, the intersection of design and pop culture, and the evolving relationship between urban and rural life. Previously, she served as Associate Editor at The Berliner in Berlin, where she reported on culture and fashion. Wanda studied English and German at the Goethe University Frankfurt and Exeter University.
