>Also, regarding the cinnamon idea, an herb book I have also suggests using
>pennyroyal ( a kind of mint), rue or tansy to deter ants.  Pennyroyal is
>also listed as a mouse and flea deterrent.  Apparently it doesn't kill
>them, -- they just don't like the scent.
 
PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT use Pennyroyal to kill ants, it will kill your
ferrets.
 
I had a rabbit that had flees and I went to a health food shop to find
something for the fleas and the lady showed me the Pennyroyal.  On the
bottle it said non-toxic.  We gave my rabbit a bath with it, and he must
have gotton a lick or two.  By morning he was non-respondant but breathing.
We took him to the vet and had him on an IV, but my the afternoon he was
dead.  The vet said that Pennyroyal is very very toxic.
[Posted in FML issue 1912]