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Surviving spider season - how to keep them out FOR GOOD
Every year, we brace ourselves for the visit of pesky, uninvited guests. You know, the ones that come out of nowhere, take over the house, seriously outstay their welcome and never clean up after themselves…
No, we don’t mean the in-laws – we’re talking about spiders!
Spider season has hit the UK early this year and just like you, we’re absolutely NOT here for it! So, to help you (and us!) fend off those unwelcome visitors, we’ve put together a list of the best ways to get rid of spiders - and keep them out!
How do I stop spiders from coming into my home?
Luckily for us, many of the smells we love, spiders can’t stand - so use that to your advantage!
But what scents do spiders hate? There are quite a few – from vinegar to orange – but if you don’t want your home smelling like salad dressing, here are some ideas that work just as well:
1. Peppermint oil
Spiders hate anything that’s even remotely minty, so keep them away for good with something that really packs a punch – peppermint!- Add 15 – 20 drops of peppermint essential oil to a spray bottle.
- Fill the bottle with water and spritz it all around your home.
- Concentrate on entry points like windows and doors, as well as small nooks and crannies where they love to hide!
Alternatively, if you're a fan of peppermint tea, don’t throw away those tea bags! Once brewed, squeeze the water out of the bag and pop it in an area that’s prone to spiders. Think of it as the spider equivalent of a ‘No Entry’ sign!
2. Lavender candles
There are many things that should never go together: denim and denim, pineapple and pizza, spiders and lavender, you get the gist…
Spiders absolutely hate lavender, which is great because you have so many options to choose from! But when it comes to keeping critters away, we found that lavender candles work the best, followed closely by lavender potpourri – an ideal option if you need a flame- and smoke-free solution.
Burn the candle for about an hour each day and/or place the potpourri around windows and doorframes to stop them from making a surprise visit!
3. Incense
If you think about what repels spiders the most, it’s all about strong scents. That’s why using incense to keep spiders away is one of the most popular options out there!
The intensity of incense, coupled with the smell of burning, makes the perfect combination to deter beasties!
- Peppermint, tea tree or eucalyptus
- Lavender
- Cinnamon
- Citrus (like lemon or grapefruit)
- Cedar
4. Cedar balls/rings
Cedar balls and rings aren't just good for moths, they're great at keeping spiders away too!
Just like you would if you were using them to fend off other creepy crawlies, hang some in your wardrobes and pop a few in drawers, cupboards and corners where spiders can often be found lurking.
5. Lemons
Got some leftover lemons from last night’s dinner? Before you throw them out, you've got to try these lemon hacks for spiders!
Hack 1: Use the juice
- Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into a jug and pour it into an empty spray bottle.
- Fill the bottle with water and spray in common, spider-prone areas, such as entryways, cracks and dark corners.
- Cut an unwaxed lemon in half and scoop out the fruit, to prevent stickiness.
- Using the hollowed part of the lemon to grip with your fingers, rub the peel anywhere you think spiders are likely to go. Popular areas include windows/windowsills, doors/doorframes, skirting boards, shelves and corners of the room.
How do I get rid of spiders?
Deterring is one thing – but what do you do about the big spider that’s already moved in?
The glass method is fine, but if that’s a little too up-close-and-personal for your liking, try one of these instead:
1. Spider catchers
With a long handle, critter catchers are perfect if getting too close to spiders gives you the heebie-jeebies, or if they’re hiding in hard-to-reach places.
There are a few different types of spider catchers to choose from that allow you to safely catch and release any unwelcome guests, including vacuum, bristle, scoops and containers.
Find the style you like best, and send them packing FAST!
2. Carnivorous plants
For a completely hands-off approach, why not let someone – or something – else do the work for you?
Carnivorous plants like Venus flytraps and pitcher plants won’t pass up an opportunity to enjoy a spider-shaped snack. You see where we're going with this?...
