As the weather warms up, we might have also found the courage to finally crack open a window or two during the day, giving our house some much needed fresh air after a stuffy winter spent indoors. But leaving windows or garden doors open can also lead to some unwelcome guests finding their way indoors, particularly spiders.
As spring arrives, spiders typically begin to emerge from their winter hibernation in search of food and shelter. While spiders are great for snacking on other pests, especially mosquitoes, you might prefer that they stick to the outdoors instead of finding a home in yours. Even if your windows and doors are kept shut, spiders are notorious for being able to sneak through even the smallest of cracks, making them particularly hard to keep out.
You might have heard of using natural repellents to fend them off, with peppermint and lavender oil often recommended. However, the problem with many essential oils, including peppermint and lavender, is that they can also be dangerous for cats and dogs.
Instead, cleaning expert at Henfield Storage, Maria Anderson has advised another method to keep spiders out of your home that won’t harm pets.
Citrus peels are an effective spider repellent, as the creepy crawlies hate the smell. While you can easily place fresh peels in the corner of windows and doors, or areas of your house that often spot them, Maria recommended a longer-lasting method.
“For a long-lasting effect, dry the peels and place them in fabric pouches around your home.” They can keep for several months when properly prepared, and storing them in a fabric pouch means you don’t have to constantly replace the peel.
Simply remove the citrus peel from the fruit, before placing them on a baking tray and popping them into the oven on a low heat for a few hours.
Using a low heat will prevent the peels from quickly burning, but make sure to keep an eye on them while they’re in the oven. Depending on the size of the peel and how much you’re drying, you might need to adjust the timings.
The aim isn’t to cook the peels but simply dry them out, but the whole process shouldn’t take longer than two hours. Plus, it will leave you with a lovely, citrusy-smelling kitchen.