Households across the UK are being urged to grind up orange peel and sprinkle it around their home once every week until November to deter spiders.
Spider season in the UK typically starts in early September and lasts until around mid-October or early November, so there’s still a while to go yet until the eight-legged creatures retreat into hiding for the winter months. Spiders are often spotted creeping around your home at this time of the year as they head indoors in search of shelter and a mate.
The most common species you’re likely to see is house spiders, but it’s also possible to spot lace web spiders, cellar spiders and false widows, which have a slightly rounded shape and shiny brown bodies. The creatures sneak inside through any cracks and gaps they can find, as well as through open windows and doors, or even in washing that’s been hanging up outside.
While the obvious solution to keep spiders out is to keep windows and doors shut as much as possible, and to seal any obvious gaps, you can also make use of citrus fruits to naturally deter them.
Spiders are very sensitive to smell and don’t like strong, pungent aromas, particularly citrus fruits like orange, so it’s very easy – and cheap – to utilise this fruit to keep the creatures out.
Experts at Enviroliteracy explain: “Orange peels can help to repel spiders. Spiders are known to dislike strong citrus scents, and the compounds found in orange peels can be an effective, natural deterrent.
“While not a guaranteed solution for complete spider eradication, using orange peels is a low-cost and environmentally friendly way to make your home less attractive to these eight-legged visitors.
“Spiders rely heavily on their senses, particularly the tiny hairs on their legs, to detect vibrations and smells. Strong odours, like those emitted by citrus fruits, can overwhelm their senses, causing them to avoid the area.”
One method experts recommend is to grind up orange peel in a blender and sprinkle this powder around your home once every week until the end of spider season in November, focusing on key entry points like windowsills, corners of rooms, around doorways, and even in bins.
If you don’t have any oranges to hand you can also use other citrus fruits like lemons, limes and grapefruits which are just as pungent.
Experts at The Happy House Cleaning Services explains: “Spiders hate citrus fruits! You can easily prepare green repellent by squeezing half a lemon and mixing it with water. Pour this liquid in spray bottle and spray around the house.
“Spiders usually nest in wall cracks, corners of the walls, and the hidden, dark places – behind cabinets and wardrobes, heavy pieces of furniture, corners of walls and ceilings, cracks in wooden flooring.
“Another way to get rid of spiders is to sun dry citrus fruits peels and grind them in a food processor. Sprinkle this powder around the house once every week and the spiders will soon disappear. You can use grapefruit, orange, lemon or lime peels, or the mix of all of them.”
It’s also recommended that you simply rub orange peels along your windowsills and floors, and leave the peels out to discourage spiders.
Experts at Go Assist explain: “Lemon and orange peels are a natural deterrent for spiders. Rub floorboards and windowsills with the peels once a day so the smell lingers. You can also have a bowl of citrus fruits in your kitchen to keep spiders out of this area.
“Be aware that this could strip the paint off your windowsill, so if you do try this, test it in an inconspicuous area first. You could also try placing citrus peels near your windowsills and doorways to discourage spiders.”