7 Household Uses for Cayenne Pepper

By Adam Verwymeren, Networx

The fiery bite of cayenne pepper can make food sing with flavor, but did you know that this dried spice also has many practical uses around the home, too?

Here are the top seven ways you can put cayenne to work around your home.

1. Protect your bird feeder: According to a plant regulatory officer from the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, birds are immune to the sting of chili peppers, while we mammals are most certainly not. By adding a little cayenne to your bird feed, you can ensure the food goes to the birds, while bullying squirrels are kept at bay.

2. Get rid of ants: Ants are insidious creatures, exploiting any opening in your home to get at your food. Try cayenne pepper for a natural ant control solution.

3. Curb kitty’s curiosity: Cats are fiends for cables and cords. I have no idea why, but the mere sight of a power cord or a pair of headphones can set a cat to “kill mode.” If you’d like to cure a curious cat of its chewing habit, rub a raw, sliced hot pepper on your cords, or whip up a quick hot sauce by dissolving ground cayenne into some vinegar. Apply to dangling chords on a regular basis to protect them from kitty’s wrath.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Mary E.

8:21AM PST on Feb 23, 2012

I had no idea there were so many uses for Cayenne pepper. Thanks for sharing

February 23
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Laura M.

11:50PM PST on Feb 16, 2012

Great tips! Thank you!

February 16
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JL A.

8:48AM PST on Feb 11, 2012

I think I'll see if it keeps the deer from eating my rose bushes.

February 11
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Joan M.

9:20PM PST on Feb 10, 2012

Some interesting tips, though I think I will pass on #7, on second thoughst if someone was offering me over 1 million for a part in a movie, I just might give it go.

February 10
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Betsy B.

9:57PM PST on Feb 2, 2012

I would never treat any animals in the ways recommended. I will look into the weight loss usage.

February 2
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Peter M.

4:26AM PST on Jan 30, 2012

thanks

January 30
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Past Member .

4:58PM PST on Jan 21, 2012

Thanks

January 21
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Miriam N.

10:34AM PST on Jan 4, 2012

Is there not a screening by Care2 for the articles'contents? I mean, keep little playful animals away from your stuff by smearing PEPPER on it ? Squirrels, cats, and what not? As far as I am concerned, this is a totally primitive sadistic method. I TEACH my cats, even if I have to shout at them from time to time, some learn more quickly than others. A good way to shoo tehm from something is to have a WATER SPRAY BOTTLE nearby, a little spary doesn't hurt them And having pets has its price, so from time to time, especially when there are kittens around, there are DAMAGES. Not big ones. Learn to fix DIY way, or buy again. It comes with the territory. If you can't take it, don't have pets !