With UK temperatures set to rise, households opening doors and windows risk inviting ants inside. Cleaning expert Chantel Mila, known as Mama Mila on TikTok, recommends using cinnamon—costing £1 from Asda—instead of salt or chemical solutions to deter ants.
How Cinnamon Works
Cinnamon contains cinnamaldehyde, a compound that interferes with ants' communication. 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." According to The Spruce, cinnamaldehyde disrupts scent trails, disorienting ants and causing them to abandon the area.
Application Methods
Mila suggests mixing cinnamon with water in a spray bottle and applying it around windows and entry points. Alternatively, sprinkle ground cinnamon along ant trails, windowsills, and doorways. Cinnamon sticks can be placed in pantries, cupboards, or corners where ants gather. TikTok user Georgia, known as Clean with Georgia, recommends placing cinnamon sticks or oil at entry points, stating: "It's a hot spice and they do not like it."
Additional Benefits
Cinnamon also serves as a natural disinfectant due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties, and its aroma neutralises unpleasant odours. This method is humane, as it repels ants without killing them.
