Cinnamom.Tried it on Linepithema humile (argentine ant) and sometiny guys called Brachygaster. A stick of cinnamom laid across theant-path caused indeed alarm and despondency. In half an hour, noant was left. However, after some hours of direct sunlight and oncethe heath had disminished again, the ants gradually came back andjust skirted the stick.Just to see, I tried ground cinnamom, ground cumin, andpaprika. Sorry; what we call paprika here in Argentina: finelyground mildly hot red pepper. The ants stopped, appeareddisconcerted, but sooner (cumin) or later (cinnamom) someadventurous one would risk scuttling on the powder. After sometime they took up their route, so this appears to be a case ofinterrupted odour-track. They did show some agitation whenexposed to fresh cinnamom, which suggests that they dislike it, butthey did not run for their lives or try to attack. Human beings facedwith a stink bomb might have looked like that from a distance.I should say that a stick of cinnamom is a good way ofstopping ants if you notice them coming in during a party orsomething like that. Strewing about sweet-smelling spices maypass off as charmingly unconventional, but running around with acan of bug spray might cause comment.Best regards,AdrianaAdriana OLIVALaboratorio de Entomologia forenseMuseo argentino de Ciencias naturalesAv. A. Gallardo 470 (C1405DJR) Buenos AiresARGENTINA

Last modified on Saturday, 17 January 2009