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Does Cinnamon Repel Mosquitoes & Bugs? (Answered)

Keeping bugs and mosquitoes out of the house is not less than any challenge. They roam and fly around your house, interrupt the daily chores and some even hurt humans by biting. You can finish them by using insecticides and natural repellents.

Apart from adding taste to a dish, cinnamon is known for deterring insects. But does this scented spice help to repel mosquitoes & bugs? Let’s know!

Does cinnamon repel mosquitoes?

Cinnamon can keep mosquitoes away with its strong scent. Mosquitoes’ sensitive nerves can’t tolerate the fragrance of cinnamon so they avoid the area. Moreover, Cinnamaldehyde, found in cinnamon oil is an active pesticide ingredient. However, it doesn’t provide long term protection.

Cinnamon is a common herb found in every kitchen cabinet. It’s a flavorful herb with a sweet yet pungent scent and is used for various purposes.

Cinnamon contains Cinnamaldehyde, Cinnamyl acetate, Copane, Camphor, Eugenol, etc that works effectively against insects and bugs. 

Cinnamon oil: 

Cinnamon Oil contains Cinnamaldehyde. It’s a strong ingredient that acts as a pesticide as well. Mosquito repellent that has cinnamon oil eliminates mosquito larvae even grown mosquitoes in large numbers.

Cinnamon sticks: 

Cinnamon has Anethole, Eugenol, Cinnamaldehyde, etc. compounds. These work against bugs and insects. So cinnamon sticks can keep mosquitoes away when kept around many corners. It can deter mosquitoes too if you light up the sticks. 

Ground cinnamon: 

Ground cinnamons spread a rich and powerful fragrant that hits mosquitoes’ smelling sense. Mosquitoes can’t stand the fragrance and leave the area. You can sprinkle powdered cinnamon outside and inside the house to finish mosquitoes and their larvae. 

Do mosquitoes like or dislike the smell of cinnamon?

Mosquitoes don’t like the smell of cinnamon. Mosquitoes have a sensitivity toward the smell. They look for food and detect the target by smelling their fragrance. 

Cinnamon’s strong and pungent scent bothers mosquitoes, distracts them from their target, and deters them. 

How to make cinnamon oil for mosquito repellent?

To protect yourself from mosquitoes and bugs, cinnamon oil is a savior. Here’s how to make cinnamon oil for mosquito repellent:

Take cinnamon sticks:

Take fresh cinnamons, preferably sticks.

Choose a carrier oil:

Choose a carrier oil such as peppermint, olive, or lavender.

Sink the sticks in the oil:

Keep the cinnamons in an airtight jar and pour the carrier oil covering the sticks completely.

CLose the lid:

Close the lid tightly and place it in a sunny, dry place. Shake sometimes.

Strain the oil after 4 or more weeks:

Strain the oil after 4 or more weeks with a cheesecloth and store in another airtight jar.

How to use cinnamon to repel mosquitoes?

Cinnamon works wonderfully against insects, especially mosquitoes. It’s 

a natural repellent that won’t surround you with harsh chemicals. Cinnamon can be used in different ways to repel mosquitoes. Here is how to use cinnamon to deter mosquitoes. 

Light up Cinnamon Stick candle: 

Wrap up one or two sticks of cinnamon with any organic candle such as citronella or lavender. Light up the wick avoiding the sticks. The fume of the candle along with the cinnamon scent will keep mosquitoes out of your house.

Sprinkle powdered cinnamon: 

Ground fresh cinnamons and sprinkle them outside your house, in corners, and in clogged water bodies to destroy their larvae. Mix it with sand to use in gardens where mosquitoes gather. 

Keep cinnamon sticks: 

Cinnamon sticks can be kept under the basin, near windows to prevent mosquitoes from residing at your place. Its pungent scent will distract mosquitoes from detecting their target while hitting their sensitive olfactory nerve.

Use cinnamon oil: 

Cinnamon oil has antibacterial compounds such as Cinnamaldehyde, Copane, Eugenol, Camphor, and Cinnamyl acetate. It can be applied physically as a mosquito repellent spray when mixed with water or any other essential oil. 

It will give protection for a moderate time.

Does cinnamon repel bugs?

Cinnamon repels bugs. It keeps ants, spiders, bedbugs, wasps, etc. insects away with its strong smell. Also, cinnamon has compounds such as Cinnamaldehyde, Copan, and Eugenol that work against microbes. When sprinkled over, the texture of ground cinnamon irritates bugs so they avoid the areas. 

Cinnamon might look like a simple piece of bark but it’s full of benefits that might amaze you. Not only does this fragrant spice keep mosquitoes away it also works against many insects and bugs effectively. 

Especially cinnamon powder and its oil can be used in many ways to keep your house free from destructive bugs.

Cinnamon oil: 

Cinnamon oil is a nightmare for many bugs. It has Cinnamaldehyde and cinnamyl acetate which are considered toxic for the existence of ants, spiders, wasps, flies, or fruit flies. It is used in diffusers, and air fresheners so the fume and scent of it spread everywhere.

Cinnamon oil is used as bug repellent spray. It’s gentle so it can be applied to the skin for better protection. 

Ground cinnamon: 

Ground cinnamon is the most convenient natural bug repellent. Bugs can’t tolerate the powdered form of cinnamon. When used in their way cinnamon powder dismisses their food search. 

Do spiders like or dislike the smell of cinnamon? 

Cinnamon has a warm pungent type strong smell that spiders can’t bear.

If you use an air diffuser with cinnamon oil and sprinkle powdered cinnamon around the spider nest, the powerful fragrance will make the spider uncomfortable and move out from the spot.

How to use cinnamon to repel bugs?

Cinnamon can be used in versatile ways to deter bugs. Here we’ve shared a few ways to use this mesmerizingly scented spice against insects and bugs:

Keep cinnamon in their way: 

Bugs like ants look for food in a line by smelling them. If you put cinnamon in their way, the smell will deter them.

Sprinkle ground cinnamon: 

Bugs don’t like the powdered cinnamon, the consistency and texture of ground cinnamon irritate them. You can sprinkle powdered cinnamon on closed, dark spots and the bugs will maintain a distance from those spots.

Use cinnamon in the laundry: 

To keep ants, roaches, and bedbugs that can harm your fabrics, put cinnamon in your laundry wrapped in a thin dry cloth. The smell will keep bugs away from the clothes.

Use cinnamon oil as spray: 

Cinnamon oil is largely used as one of the most effective bug repellent ingredients. Cinnamon oil can be used mixed with water or other oil.

Use cinnamon in a diffuser: 

The fragrance of cinnamon has a great impact on bugs as most insects can’t take the severe smell. Put raw cinnamon in a diffuser to keep your house aromatic and free of insects.

How can you use cinnamon to repel these bugs?

No matter how clean you keep your house and surroundings you’ll notice insects roaming in and out except if you take a proper step against those little creatures. The best is to use an effective strong pesticide but most of those are filled with toxic properties. 

Cinnamon is a safe choice if you want to go natural while deterring notorious insects from different spots. It’s non-toxic, child and pet-friendly, and works strongly against bugs in the house, garden, sandbox, etc.

Let’s learn how can you use these wonder spice sticks to repel some of the bugs: 

Bugs in the garden: 

Cinnamon is an excellent pesticide with zero toxicity. If you’re struggling with worms, aphids, etc. in your garden, use cinnamon. Mix 2 cups of water and 20 drops of cinnamon oil. Then spray it within plants and bushes.

Bugs in the sandbox: 

Since cinnamon contains no dangerous chemicals, it can be used safely around kids. To keep the sandbox bug free 

Bugs on plants: 

To deter bugs and pests from indoor and outdoor plants, use cinnamon oil mixed with water, and spray it frequently into the plants. 

Bugs in soil: 

Worms and other soil bugs can damage the quality of your gardens’ soil. To repel bugs from the soil, mix a good amount of ground cinnamon with it or just sprinkle it around.

Bed bugs: 

Cinnamon can keep bedbugs away from your mattress and bed if you place a few sticks in the bed folds and under the mattress. 

What bugs does cinnamon repel?

Cinnamon is effective against many insects and bugs. It has a strong smell that bugs dislike and is full of antibacterial properties. It keeps bugs away for a decent period.

Cinnamon can repel ants, mosquitoes, wasps, bedbugs, flies, fruit flies, earwigs, spiders, mice, aphids, worms, etc.

Final Thoughts:

Cinnamon can repel mosquitoes and bugs. Though it doesn’t eliminate them forever, the smell and anti-bacterial properties in it keep bugs and mosquitoes away for a moderate time. Cinnamon oil, powdered cinnamon, and sticks can be used as a bug repellent.