UK households are being encouraged to keep hold of any used tea bags if they want to keep a certain creepy-crawly away. With wet and windy weather forecast next week, people are being urged to scatter peppermint tea bags around their homes next week to deter spiders.
The mating season for these eight-legged creatures begins in late August and typically continues until mid-October. During this time, male spiders abandon their webs in search of a mate, resulting in more frequent home invasions.
The species most commonly seen in UK homes over the coming weeks include house spiders, lace money spiders, and cellar spiders. These spiders are harmless and are simply following their natural instincts. Male spiders tend to be more active and noticeable.
After mating, the male spider often dies, while the female lays her eggs in a sac, which she guards until the onset of cold weather. As winter approaches, spider sightings drop significantly as they hibernate.
However, for those who find the sight of spiders unsettling, their intrusion into personal spaces can be distressing. There are numerous natural and humane methods available for those wishing to keep spiders out of their homes, reports Bristol Live.
With the remnants of Hurricane Erin approaching, some people will prioritise making their homes as spider-proof as possible next week. Spiders are known to seek shelter in homes during rainy weather to escape the damp, cold, and windy conditions.
Spiders and insects often seek refuge in the warmer, drier areas of homes when severe weather conditions, such as heavy rainfall, disrupt their natural habitats. Hurricane Erin, which is currently losing strength, is predicted to veer northeast into the far North Atlantic over the weekend.
The start of next week is expected to be largely calm. However, due to a low-pressure system, the UK is set to experience a very autumnal spell with wet and windy conditions from around Tuesday onwards.
From Tuesday, the Met Office says: “Majority of this period comes with lower than average confidence, even accounting for the long range. This is due to large uncertainties surrounding the behaviour of ex-hurricane Erin at the beginning of the forecast and its subsequent impact on the large scale weather pattern over the UK.
“Probably beginning fine for the vast majority of areas, but a band of rain, already in or threatening the west, is likely to move slowly east, perhaps preceded by showers in the south. More changeable weather is likely thereafter, possibly even at times unsettled, with more in the way of rain, showers and stronger winds than recently.”
Spiders are known to avoid strong scents such as peppermint, citrus (including lemon and orange), eucalyptus, tea tree oil, and lavender. These fragrances can be used to deter spiders by mixing essential oils with water and spraying them around potential entry points like windows and doors. Other methods include placing cedar blocks or chips in problem areas or using items like cinnamon sticks or crushed garlic.
But how does peppermint tea help repel spiders?
Peppermint, whether in the form of oil or tea bags, serves as a natural spider deterrent. The potent aroma of peppermint is off-putting to spiders, making tea bags an affordable and easy solution to prevent these eight-legged creatures from invading or lingering in certain areas.
Once you’ve brewed a cup of peppermint tea, allow the tea bags to cool before placing them in areas where spiders frequently appear, such as room corners, windowsills, or near entrances like doors and windows. To maintain the effectiveness of the scent, replace the tea bags every few days or when the peppermint aroma begins to diminish.
Alternatively, brew a stronger batch of peppermint tea, let it cool, then use a spray bottle to spritz it around your house. While this method can be effective, it’s not a permanent solution, and you may need to repeat the process regularly to deter spiders.