Does using cinnamon to repel ants drive away our bees?

[Paynesgrey]

We are just setting up our first hives. We live in East Texas, where there are plenty of fire ants. I have been using cinnamon very successfully in my garden & yard to keep them out.

I read somewhere that cinnamon can be spread liberally around the posts the hives will sit on to keep the fire ants out of the hives. Do the bees mind the cinnamon? I wouldn't want to hive the bees, and then have them abscond because they hated the smell as much as the ants do :).   

[John Schwartz]

Cinnamon works very well... I would recommend it. Don't need much either.

[hardwood]

I've heard of those who actually dust the frame tops with it. I haven't personally so couldn't tell you, but it seems safe.

Scott

[Paynesgrey]

Thanks! Now if we could come up with something that repels hive beetles & mites...

[jclark96]

I had SHB pretty bad last year, and dusted the tops of my frames to discourage the beetles. The bees didn't care. I don't know about the beetles. I ended up just going through the hive and killing them all.

[golddust-twins]

jclark96, Did you dust with cinnamon or was it something else?

[jclark96]

Sorry for the delay, I dusted with regular cinnamon. I didn't have time to wait to see if it worked on the beetles. It didn't bother the bees.

[Michael Bush]

I've always used equal parts of jelly, borax and water...

[Paynesgrey]

How do you apply that toxic jelly mix so that the bees do not get it?

[Michael Bush]

I've never had a problem with the bees being interested in it.  But the more you put it where the ants will find it and the bees won't the less you will worry...