Troy, VA Tick Control: Can Cinnamon Keep Ticks Away?

As the weather starts to turn, ticks are becoming a growing concern in Troy, VA once again. As these little pests become more active, homeowners are increasingly looking for natural ways to keep ticks away. It’s no wonder, then, that hundreds of homeowners are Googling “does cinnamon help with ticks?”

The short answer? Cinnamon has some repellent properties and can help to some extent. Ticks do, indeed, dislike the smell of cinnamon.

But unfortunately, cinnamon is better used to sweeten oatmeal and cookies than it is as a practical solution for tick control. In this post, we’ll break down the facts and explain why this is the case.

Cinnamon and Ticks: What the Research Says

Recent studies have explored the potential of Chinese cinnamon oil (Cinnamomum cassia) as a natural tick repellent. According to research published in Experimental & Applied Acarology, cinnamon oil showed dose-dependent repellent effects on several tick species. In a controlled lab setting, it repelled up to 97% of nymphal ticks at high concentrations. That’s a pretty good result, and one which is comparable to widely used chemical repellant, DEET.

However, there are several catches that confound the lessons described in this study. The simple fact is that while these findings are promising, cinnamon oil isn’t an effective solution for everyday tick prevention.

It’s first worth noting that the study was conducted in a lab setting, and not in real-world conditions like backyards and wooded areas. Also important to remember is that the repellent effects wore off within hours, meaning frequent reapplication would be needed.

Another difficult aspect of this study is that it hinges on the use of highly concentrated cinnamon oil. That’s not what most people think of when they hear about cinnamon, and using such a concentrated oil is not practical for large outdoor areas.

Practical Alternatives to Cinnamon for Troy Tick Control

While cinnamon oil might repel ticks temporarily, it doesn’t eliminate them or stop them from breeding in your yard. If you’re serious about keeping ticks away, a more reliable approach to Troy pest control is necessary.

At Mosquito Squad of Charlottesville, we focus on targeted tick control with our Yard Defender treatment. We start by identifying tick-prone areas, including shaded spots, tall grass, and damp zones.

Once we do that, we apply an EPA-registered spray that knocks down ticks on contact and disrupts their lifecycle. If you prefer, we can also use a natural option as well, in the form of our proprietary Essential Botanical Insecticide, which is made from a combination of proven and effective essential oils.

Whether you go for the traditional or natural treatment method, you can count on up to 21 days of protection at a time. We then schedule regular follow-up appointments to help keep your yard protected, which will ultimately help reduce the chance of ticks repopulating.

We strongly encourage you to consider taking advantage of this kind of routine tick control service. Ticks are known to spread a variety of diseases such as Lyme disease and the red meat allergy known as Alpha-Gal. There is no reason to take chances when it comes to these diseases!

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For dependable outdoor pest control near you, call on the professionals at Mosquito Squad. Call (434) 363-9274 or contact us online for a complimentary Troy pest control assessment and quote.

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