As UK temperatures rise, households opening windows and doors risk letting ants inside. A £1 cinnamon spray, shared by cleaning expert Chantel Mila on TikTok, offers a chemical-free solution.
Mila recommends mixing water and ground cinnamon in a spray bottle and applying it to windowsills, doorways, and ant trails. Cinnamon contains cinnamaldehyde, a compound that disrupts ant communication, making it harder for them to navigate.
Why Cinnamon Repels Ants
Nathan Kruger, owner of D-termination Pest Control, told The Spruce: "This aromatic spice acts as an olfactory deterrent, repelling ants without causing them immediate harm." Cinnamaldehyde interferes with ants' scent trails, disorienting them and causing them to abandon the area.
How to Use Cinnamon
Both ground cinnamon and sticks work. Sprinkle powder along ant trails, windowsills, and doorways. Place sticks in pantries, cupboards, or corners where ants gather. TikTok user Georgia, known as Clean with Georgia, said: "It's a hot spice and they do not like it. This also deters ants as well, so it's a great little hack."
Additional Benefits
Cinnamon's antibacterial and antifungal properties make it a natural disinfectant, and its fragrance helps mask unpleasant odours. Add it to homemade cleaning solutions for extra effectiveness.
