Northern Nevada backyards and gardens: Cinnamon as a pest repellant, fact or fiction?

Just lately, I learn one thing about powdered cinnamon and attainable makes use of as a pest repellant, fungicide, and extra. Gardeningknowhow.com had an article which claimed that cinnamon could possibly be used to discourage ants in a house or greenhouse as a result of “Ants don’t prefer to stroll the place cinnamon powder lays.”

One other declare is that cinnamon works as a rooting compound, stimulating root progress. As well as, cinnamon can be utilized as a fungicide for damping off illness. It’s additionally purported to cease mushrooms rising in planters, compost or mulch.

Years in the past, I learn analysis reporting that ants may be killed utilizing talcum powder. The ants would get the powder throughout them by strolling by means of it and carrying it again to their nest. The powder prevented them from absorbing water by means of their exoskeleton inflicting the ants to dry up and die. Maybe the impact is identical with cinnamon.

Morningchores.com claims cinnamon discourages the fungal illness often known as rust, when it’s sprinkled on the soil at planting. Additionally, that cinnamon can “heal plant wounds.”

It’s purported to repel rabbits, mice and rodents by complicated their “scent instincts.” The writer writes that it “Prevents mosquitos.” She states it may be used successfully on houseplants as properly though I’d fear about it burning the leaves. She does report that there isn’t any scientific proof to assist the claims that cinnamon is useful to crops, simply anecdotal proof, however that cinnamon can’t hurt something both, which isn’t essentially true.

Crops should not have the power to “heal” wounds. If pruned correctly, they compartmentalize the wounded space closing it off. That’s not therapeutic. I’m prepared to strive cinnamon within the floor squirrel holes going below the home. The scent can be a lot better than mothballs! I’m wondering if it will deter cats from utilizing flower beds as a litter field. I don’t know the way placing cinnamon on the soil prevents mosquitos.

There may be analysis to assist a number of the claims about cinnamon, primarily its oils. The Nationwide Library of Medication in an article (Kowalska, J. et al. August 31, 2022) reviewing analysis on cinnamon, says that “on account of its antibacterial and pharmacological properties, it may be utilized in processing, drugs and agriculture.” Researchers reported that “Cinnamon acts on pests primarily as a repellent, though in greater doses it has a biocidal impact and prevents egg-laying.” Cinnamon oils and extracts do “hinder bacterial and fungal progress…” As a result of it may possibly, in some instances and portions, additionally injure crops, it could be a attainable herbicide. “It may be utilized in natural farming as a promising different to chemical pesticides to be used in plant safety…”

When you determine to strive powdered cinnamon, to keep away from burning crops it could be finest to use it solely to soil, in a roundabout way onto leaves. Beware. Don’t breath in cinnamon, as a result of it may possibly burn nasal and lung passages.

— JoAnne Skelly is Affiliate Professor & Extension Educator, Emerita, College of Nevada Cooperative Extension. She may be reached at skellyj@unr.edu.