Arachnophobes beware, spider mating season is fast approaching. Fortunately an expert has shared a quick, cheap hack to keep these creepy insects out of your home
If you’re terrified of spiders, no need to worry – this cheap expert trick can keep them at bay.
As we come further into autumn, you may notice an increase in these eight-legged insects. This is because a spider’s mating season usually begins in early September and runs through until mid-October. During this time they will often seek shelter in our homes where it’s warmer.
In fact, the average household is likely to have around 40 spiders hidden within it, a figure which can be more than doubled in older houses. This is bad news, as around 21% of Brits admit to being arachnophobes, according to a YouGov survey.
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Landscaping expert Andy McLaughlin at RF Paving has shared his key tips for keeping spiders at bay. He advises that the secret to repelling spiders starts outside.
After all, if you create an outdoor space that’s unappealing to them with nowhere to hide or nest, they’re more likely to look elsewhere.
A great way to do this is by making your outdoor paving as unappealing as possible. To achieve this, Andy suggests using your garden paving cleaner as a spider repellent.
He says: “Vinegar is not only an affordable kitchen staple, but also a powerful patio cleaner. A balanced mixture of white vinegar and water is an effective method for cleaning your patio slabs, and the acetic acid composition in white vinegar makes it especially effective at removing moss from paving slabs.”
He explains that spiders dislike the pungent odour of vinegar, so will steer clear of any treated areas. This is because it contains acetic acid, a pungent chemical that disrupts their senses and causes discomfort.
Andy continues: “Allow the solution to sit on the paving slabs for 30 minutes to an hour, and then gently scrub the patio to work in the solution. The diluted mixture can also be sprayed in any potential hiding spots, such as cracks, corners and outdoor furniture.”
You probably have vinegar lying around in your cupboard, but it can be picked up cheaply if not. Sainsbury’s offers a bottle of white vinegar for just 35p.
Other ways you can keep spiders far away include tidying up regularly and storing away winter furniture. Moving things around will disturb any spiders and encourage them to move elsewhere, Andy advises.
He also suggests planting spider-repellent plants, such as basil, rosemary, and thyme, which create an unpleasant environment for spiders due to their strong scents.