UK gardeners are being advised to spray their outdoor patios and paths with vinegar until early November to deter spiders. Spider mating season typically spans from September to November, during which these eight-legged creatures seek indoor shelter for warmth and mating before retreating back into hiding for the chilly winter.
Spiders can infiltrate your home through cracks, gaps, and open windows and doors, with house spiders being the most common species you’re likely to encounter scurrying around. However, if you’re not fond of these creepy crawlies, there are measures you can take to keep them at bay – and it all starts in the garden. Garden experts suggest that the optimal way to prevent spiders from sneaking into your home is by first creating an outdoor space that they find unappealing, prompting them to move on in search of a more attractive environment.
To achieve this, experts recommend introducing scents into your outdoor space that spiders find repugnant, such as white vinegar.
White vinegar is a suitable choice because it’s inexpensive to purchase and is likely already stored in your kitchen cupboard, ready for use.
Spiders possess a highly sensitive sense of smell, so when they come across the potent odour of vinegar, the aroma can overwhelm and confuse the chemoreceptors on their legs, which they utilise to sense their surroundings and navigate.
The acetic acid in vinegar not only produces an unpleasant odour, it also interferes with their ability to navigate their surroundings, prompting spiders to steer clear of the area entirely.
Landscaping expert Andy McLaughlin at RF Paving suggests spraying your patio and pathways with a diluted mixture of white vinegar and water throughout spider season will serve as an outstanding deterrent, whilst simultaneously cleaning your outdoor space.
He said: “With the right methods, you could use your garden paving cleaner as a spider repellent. Vinegar is not only an affordable kitchen staple, but also a powerful patio cleaner.
“A balanced mixture of white vinegar and water is an effective method for cleaning your patio slabs, and the acetic acid composition in white vinegar makes it especially effective at removing moss from paving slabs.
“Spiders dislike the pungent odour of vinegar, so they will steer clear of any treated areas.
“Allow the solution to sit on the paving slabs for 30 minutes to an hour, and then gently scrub the patio to work in the solution. The diluted mixture can also be sprayed in any potential hiding spots, such as cracks, corners and outdoor furniture.”
He added: “The key to repelling spiders in your home starts in the garden. If you create an outdoor space that’s unappealing to them with nowhere to hide or nest, they’re more likely to look elsewhere.
“Of course, you can adopt methods within the home to help make it a spider-free zone, but tackling the issue at the source means you can relax with the reassurance that any creepy crawlies steer clear of your indoor space.”
