As summer draws to a close, spiders become a much more noticeable presence in our homes, with their mating season typically beginning from late August and continuing into October.
And after an exceptionally warm summer – with the UK currently on course for its warmest on record – you may be wondering how to keep spiders out of your home as autumn approaches.
Before reaching for chemical sprays, however, there’s a simple natural trick worth trying: peppermint oil. Costing less than £5, the strongly scented essential oil is commonly used as a spider deterrent and takes just minutes to put to work around the home.
Here, we explain how to use peppermint oil to deter spiders, plus the other simple ways to make your home and outdoor spaces less appealing to them.
The £3 peppermint oil hack for deterring spiders
‘Peppermint is often viewed as a natural deterrent for critters like spiders, as the strong scent is thought to be unpleasant to them,’ says Helen Godsiff, brand manager at Eurocell.
To try the trick at home, simply dilute a small amount of peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle, then apply it around potential entry points such as windows, doors and other gaps where spiders could get inside.
While it isn’t guaranteed to keep every spider away, it can help make certain areas of the home less appealing to them.
Other natural ways to deter spiders
Peppermint oil isn't the only thing you can do to make your home less inviting to spiders.
‘Another strong spell to help steer spiders away is white vinegar,’ says Helen. ‘Mix two tablespoons in a solution with warm soapy water and douse cotton wool pads in the mixture.’ Similarly to the peppermint oil trick, dot them around potential entry points, such as windowsills and door frames, to help creepy crawlies at bay.
When spending time outdoors, be mindful that lights can attract insects, which in turn provide a food source for spiders, potentially making areas around the home and garden more appealing to them.
‘Male spiders can become more visible during mating season, so pay close attention to quiet areas around the home where webs may have formed,’ explains Helen. ‘Regularly vacuuming corners and removing webs can help keep these areas tidy.’ Don’t forget to check behind living room sofas and inside or around ceiling lights, which can also become hotspots for spiders.
There’s also a longstanding household myth that conkers can help keep spiders at bay – and it’s a trick that many households still swear by. ‘Try placing a few conkers around windowsills and doorways where spiders are commonly spotted,’ says Helen. Their strong scent is believed to discourage the eight-legged visitors from settling nearby – although there is limited scientific evidence to support this claim.
By taking a few simple precautions now, you can enjoy your space throughout spider mating season without worrying about unwanted eight-legged visitors.
