People up and down the country are trying to find new ways to keep spiders at bay, and it seems there are some popular household items which the eight-legged creatures can’t stand
As the UK enters peak spider season, many of us will be looking for ways to keep these eight-legged creatures out of our homes.
Spiders often find their way into our homes through unsealed doors and windows or cracks in the walls, seeking warmth and shelter as the weather cools down. Fortunately, there are some simple and effective ways to repel the creepy crawlies, as they are highly sensitive to strong scents.
Autumn is the perfect time to fill your home with seasonal scents that will not only keep your home smelling fresh but also deter spiders. Property expert Eric Bramlett, owner of Bramlett Residential, recommends three products to achieve this, reports the Daily Record. He suggests: “If conkers don’t seem to be deterring the spiders from entering your home, there are a few other methods you can try. Spiders are very sensitive to strong scents, so using your favourite herbal or citrus fragrances around your home will do a much better job (plus it’ll keep your home smelling nice and fresh).” Here are three ways to incorporate these scents into your home…
Fresh herbs
Place fresh herbs such as basil, rosemary, and mint around your house to ward off spiders with their strong smell. This is also a great way to bring some greenery into your living space, and you can use them in cooking too.
Essential oils
Mix essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus or lavender with water and leave traces of their scent in spider-prone areas such as windows and doors. You can either soak cotton balls in the solution or use a spray bottle.
Citrus scents
Spiders detest citrus, so using lemon-scented cleaners will help to repel them. Maintaining a clean home will also discourage them. Regularly dust and vacuum under furniture and behind kitchen appliances to eliminate any spider webs and eggs.
Why is it spider season?
Early autumn is branded “Spider Season” because females leave their hiding places to find mates and males look for partners for the winter. As the weather turns colder, the insects head into homes, sheds and garages to seek refuge. There are hundreds of species of spider in the UK but only a dozen bite humans and of these, only a couple of bites can be harmful. The venom of UK spiders is not particularly potent. Common house spiders can frequently be spotted – males have smaller bodies and longer legs than their female counterparts. The most harmless way to remove a spider from a house is to trap them in a glass using a piece of card.
