Can Cinnamon Repel Roaches? A Natural Solution to Keep Pests Away

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By Deirdre Mundorf

Updated: Dec 28, 2024

4 min read

Do Roaches Like Cinnamon
Photo: @cousinsusapestcontrol

Seeing roaches roaming around in different parts of the house gives goosebumps because once they invade, it’s a task to repel them. They usually get attracted to the common kitchen aromas of cheese, meat, sugar, grease, and starch, which pose a threat to health due to the disease-causing germs they carry.

The primary concern is how to keep roaches away from your home. You can use smell as the medium to repel them because roaches have a strong smell that they use to navigate within your homes. Can you keep roaches away using cinnamon? Let’s gather more information about methods to repel roaches.

Do Roaches Like Cinnamon?

Roaches find their way to your homes through the tiniest cracks and crevices, leaving trails for their friends and creating continuous infiltration. Now, the concern of homeowners is how to deal with roaches in a natural way rather than using harsh chemicals to repel them, and one of the solutions to the problem is cinnamon. Cinnamon used in powder form or as oil is known to repel roaches away because they hate the smell and don’t want to be around it.

Cinnamon Repelle Roaches
Photo: @reptiles_of_medusa

The strong smell of cinnamon deters roaches from entering your house. The best way to use cinnamon is to sprinkle it along the door frame, kitchen cabinets, and any area where the probability of roaches is high. There has been proven scientific research that cinnamon powder restricts the movement of roaches around the treated areas, and their feeding and reproductivity are reduced. Cinnamon is not merely a natural remedy for controlling roaches; it spreads a pleasant smell in the home.

Roaches have a strong odor sense, so they hate the pungent smell of cinnamon, bay leaves, thyme, basil, mint, garlic, and coffee and don’t want to be around it. However, this is not the permanent solution to the problem, and you should also look for an alternative resolution. Apart from natural remedies, you should also maintain cleanliness in the kitchen, keep the countertop debris-free, seal the cracks, which are an entry point for roaches, and cover the crevices in walls and floors. Remove the source of water too. All the preventive measures combined together can help repel the dirty creatures from your home.

Limitation of Cinnamon Used as Repellent

Cinnamon can deter roaches, but when they invade in large quantities, cinnamon might not work effectively, so you should think of a professional pest control method. The impact of cinnamon also depends on the variety of roaches. You should use cinnamon in a planned way around the areas where they are frequently seen roaming and do not overuse the powder to avoid a mess in the house.

How to Use Cinnamon to Repel Pests
Photo: @grandpa_gus

Excess use of powdered cinnamon or cinnamon spray oil spray can even affect the digestive system of pets and humans if ingested in large amounts, so be mindful when you use it. If you mix cinnamon with other substances, such as peppermint oil or bay leaves, the combination can give better results. If you use undiluted cinnamon oil on the surface, it will result in stains and irritation. Therefore, it's advisable to use it under proper guidelines.

How to Use Cinnamon to Repel Cockroaches?

The first step is to identify the infiltrated areas in your house. Usually, they are found in the kitchen, bathroom, and doors and windows near the entrance area. The next step is to gather all the necessary materials, such as cinnamon, a bowl, and an oil sprayer, and finally, apply the cinnamon either directly on the surface or in a bowl for more effectiveness.

You can sprinkle cinnamon powder around the identified areas or keep a fist full of powder in a bowl. You can also pour cinnamon oil into a spray bottle and spray it around the infested area. All this disrupts the sensory system and keeps roaches away.  Make sure you use it carefully because if you come in direct contact with the oil, it may cause irritation and burning to your eyes.

Conclusion

Cinnamon can definitely repel roaches and keep them away from your homes, but its impact depends on various factors, such as the number of roaches and their variety. Cinnamon can be used as a natural solution to divert roaches, but it can’t be a permanent solution to control large numbers of irritating and disease-causing creatures.

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