How To Deter Flying Ants With A Common Spice They Can't Stand

Flying ants, which are often the reproductive members of a colony, tend to appear in warm weather for mating flights. It's often called "Flying Ant Day," even though the swarms occur over several days. The flying ants don't usually cause any structural damage, but their indoor or outdoor swarms can be unnerving. You may wonder what to do if you spot a swarm of flying ants. One commonly recommended spice used to discourage flying ants is cinnamon, which most people have sitting in their pantry. 

There is no scientific evidence that shows cinnamon can kill flying ants or eliminate infestations, but its strong scent may help deter them, and social media shows many homeowners using this convenient hack in their home and yard. For instance, YouTuber LifesBookCeo stated he uses this hack because the ants can't stand the smell. Another example, oliversaquatics, said that since cinnamon is a natural repellent, it won't cause harm to your plants and combats mold as well as deterring ants.  

Claytoncurry4374 on YouTube demonstrated that putting a cinnamon stick in its path makes the ant go in a completely different direction. For a less messy option, brunchwithbabs on TikTok created a DIY cinnamon spray to keep the flying pests away. The scent-disrupting properties are likely why many homeowners report success using cinnamon to deter household pests, making it a short-term option that could reduce flying ant activity.

Cinnamon contains the compound cinnamaldehyde. It could interrupt flying ants' scent trails, so it becomes difficult for them to locate food and each other. This makes the areas less appealing to navigate. Creating a scented boundary may discourage activity and disrupt their movement patterns, but there are some limitations. It won't eliminate large infestations or supply long-term protection. In reducing flying ant activity in one spot, the pests could gather elsewhere. The scent fades and may need reapplication for any noticeable effect.

Luckily, application is pretty straightforward. You can use ground cinnamon by simply sprinkling it along windowsills, door frames, cracks, or outdoors where flying ants can enter or swarm. If you place it near light sources or other areas outside where you've seen flying ants gather, it could help discourage activity in those spots. If you don't want any loose powder, you can add some cinnamon to a small pouch made with mesh or breathable material. You can also place cinnamon sticks where flying ants are getting inside your home, or consider leaving a jar of cinnamon sticks out on your kitchen counter.

You can also create a DIY cinnamon spray by steeping 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon in 4 cups of warm water. After straining, transfer it to a spray bottle and add a couple of drops of rubbing alcohol and dish soap. Then, shake it up and spray it where flying ants are active. Finally, you can mix cinnamon in water and dab it onto a cotton ball. Then, swipe it along any areas inside or outside your home, focusing on entry points.