OK, we all know spiders are more scared of us than we are of them, but still: they can be terrifying. In addition, unless it’s Halloween, they don’t exactly add to the decor. So here’s a helpful feature on how to get rid of them.
‘How to get rid of spiders’ is a common Google search, especially in September. That’s because this month is spider mating season – eeek! Around 3% to 6% of people (475 million people in the world) have a fear of spiders. Of course, most spiders in the UK are completely harmless, but the fear you feel when you find one in your home is no joke.
And spider sightings are likely to increase at the end of summer, both because they’re mating and because they seek shelter from the cooler weather. So the experts at End of Tenancy Cleaning have revealed their most useful tips and tricks for how to get rid of spiders in your home.
How to get rid of spiders in your home
Fill in any cracks in your house
Spiders enter your home through gaps under doors and around windows, so make sure all window frames are properly sealed. To keep creepy crawlies out, you could also try installing excluder strips at the bottoms of doors.
Although this task requires DIY, it’s very simple and straightforward. It can also be a more permanent solution than some of the methods below because it stops spiders at the source. So it’s one of the best ways to get rid of spiders.
Turn off your outdoor lights
Although bright lights do not directly attract spiders, they do attract the various bugs and insects that spiders feed on, such as flies, moths, and mosquitos.
Therefore you should turn off your outdoor lights, because you will be removing the spiders’ direct food source, making them less likely to come close to your home in the first place. This is an effective way to get rid of spiders.
Keep your house clean and tidy
Another thing you can do to keep spiders at bay is to keep your house clean and tidy. Cobwebs will appear if your house is left unkempt, and leaving items such as food out on the counter will attract flies and other bugs into your home, attracting hungry spiders.
Spiders are also drawn to dark, cluttered environments. So make sure to dust on a regular basis and remove any piles of boxes or other household items.
Use peppermint oil
Peppermint oil is scientifically proven to repel spiders, because spiders smell through their legs. So as soon as they are hit with the overwhelming scent of peppermint, they’ll flee as the smell is too strong for them.
Mix peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle, then spray the areas of your home that are susceptible to spiders. However, peppermint oil is toxic to pets, so avoid this method for how to get rid of spiders if you have any dogs or other furry friends.
More ways to deter arachnids
Spray white vinegar around your home
White vinegar is another excellent natural spider repellent because it contains acetic acid, to which spiders are extremely sensitive. It’s also something which most people already have in the cupboard at home. In addition, it isn’t toxic to pets and doesn’t have any harmful effects.
We recommend spraying a mixture of half water, half vinegar over windows, your kitchen, and other entrances where bugs and spiders could be sneaking in.
Scatter chestnuts around windows and doors
Chestnuts are a surprising natural spider repellent. It’s thought that chestnuts repel spiders because they contain a natural oil that deters them. So placing a few chestnuts around your home close to your windows and doors could prevent these eight-legged beasts from entering.
Chestnuts typically harvest from mid-September through to November, so make sure you’re on the lookout during these months so you can collect some for yourself. People may be surprised if you tell them you’re collecting chestnuts to get rid of spiders!
Light scented candles to keep spiders at bay
Lighting candles can also keep spiders away from your home. This is mainly due to spiders disliking the smell of smoke. So lighting and blowing out the candles (or just matches) will help deter them. Spiders also hate smells such as lemon, cinnamon and citronella, so candles in these scents will be extra-effective.
Placing candles on window sills is probably the best option as windows are a hotspot for spiders entering. But of course, keep the candles out of reach of children and away from flammable materials to avoid any potential hazards.
Use citrus fruits
How to get rid of spiders? Use citrus fruits, which our eight-legged foes find repulsive. Citrus, like peppermint, has a strong repellent effect on spiders, so mix freshly squeezed lemon juice with water and spray it around your home to keep them at bay.
Wiping orange peel on your windows and doorways is another effective method to keep spiders out of your house.
And if you do find a spider in your house, do the kind thing and shoo it out into the garden. Just take a glass and a piece of cardboard, scoop it up in the glass, put the cardboard underneath, then release it into the wild. Bingo!
So, now you know how to get rid of spiders, why not read about effective cleaning products?
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