Fruit flies can be particularly frustrating when they start appearing around food and waste, yet many homeowners do nothing about it. One cheap kitchen ingredient has been suggested as a way of making areas around bins less appealing to them, and all it takes is a simple sprinkle.
Ground cinnamon costs as little as 89p at Aldi, according to the supermarket's current online listing. Just sprinkle a small amount around the outside of a kitchen bin or another area where fruit flies are being seen.
What the research says
A study published in Insects and indexed by PubMed investigated natural plant compounds against spotted wing drosophila, a species of vinegar or fruit fly. Researchers found that cinnamon oil and some of its components showed contact toxicity in laboratory tests, but said the most promising compounds would need further testing under field conditions.
The Royal Horticultural Society says many drosophila, commonly referred to as fruit or vinegar flies, feed on decomposing organic matter, particularly fruit, and notes that several species can be found in homes. It recommends good hygiene as part of managing fruit flies, including removing old, damaged or overripe fruit and disposing of waste appropriately. Its advice on spotted wing drosophila also recommends trapping and monitoring as control measures.
How to try the cinnamon trick
For anyone trying the cinnamon tip, a light sprinkling around the affected area is enough to test whether the smell appears to discourage flies from gathering there. Don't worry about an exact dosage, just open the jar and leave a scattering nearby in the hope to keep the pests well away.
The cinnamon trick is therefore best treated as a low-cost household experiment rather than a guaranteed fix. Keeping bins clean and removing potential food sources should also remain a priority.
Alternative remedies
For those seeking alternative remedies, there's more than enough out there that could help. An apple cider vinegar and dish soap trap is said to act as a more than effective lure to catch the flies.
Meanwhile peppermint or eucalyptus oils are claimed to act as natural but effective deterrents. Combining these methods with strict kitchen hygiene provides the best approach to maintaining a pest-free kitchen, and ensuring the freshness of fruit and other produce in and around your home.
