Ways to banish spiders from the home
It’s finally cooling down as we head further into September, and that can only mean one thing. Big house spiders are back. The large spiders come in from outside to find shelter, warmth and a mate. It can be tempting to quickly kill them and move on, but spiders are important to the whole house ecosystem as they keep flies and other insects at bay. In this article, we’ll look at how you can banish them from your home, and if they do come in, how to get rid of them humanely. Read on for more…
Conkers
Now, bear with us. Conkers are not just used in playground games when allowed, they are great at keeping spiders and other insects away. Put them near doorways, windows and stairs to keep the little eight-legged creepy crawlies at bay. Having conkers also helps keep beetles and flies away too so you’re safe from lots of little creatures. Conkers apparently have a toxin that spiders don’t like, but although this has never been proven, old wives’ tales pass it on and plenty of people agree that having conkers in the home prevents spiders.
Peppermint oil and water
Spiders do not like peppermint, so this is a great way to keep them out of the home permanently. Grab some peppermint essential oil and dilute it with water in a spray bottle. Use the mixture on doorways and windows around the home. As spiders use the hairs on their legs to detect smells, they’ll immediately disappear from the house if they smell it. If you like diffusers, use peppermint oil in those to help keep spiders at bay for longer.
Citrus peels
Spiders don’t like strong smells so citrus peel is ideal for repelling them. Use discarded orange, lemon or even grapefruit peels, mix with water into a paste and spread around the windowsills. A cheap way to keep them out, and added bonus, your house will smell lovely!
If a spider does manage to weave its way through your strong-smelling repellents, then use a spider catcher to get them and put them outside. It’s humane, you don’t have to touch them, and they stay out. It’s also worth noting the old saying that spiders usually come in pairs. If you’ve seen one, there’ll be another close by so watch for it and make sure it is caught and released back outside.