To combat any pesky spiders, you’ll want to turn your attention to the kitchen. If you prefer to use natural remedies for pests, look for salt in your cupboard.
Chantel explained you need to mix one cup of water with two tablespoons of salt. This will create a saltwater solution that can be sprayed directly onto the affected areas and spiders themselves.
The water is what allows the salt to reach their bodies in a concentrated form, explained House Digest.
Once the spray dries, it could leave a thin layer of salt behind. All you have to do is wipe up to avoid a chalky residue on surfaces, especially in visible areas.
It’s important to remember that to make the solution effective, salt has to be mixed with water.
The reason why salt works well to deter spiders is because it’s actually poisonous to them, according to Purcor Pest. Salt works as a natural repellent because of its dehydrating properties.
Spiders also hate strong, potent scents, which salt can also emanate. When spiders come into contact with high concentrations of salt – or a salty solution – it draws out the moisture away from the pest’s exoskeleton and internal tissues, potentially causing it to dry out and die.
As saltwater helps to dehydrate spiders, it works better and is faster-acting than directly applying salt to the ground. House Digest explained: “In simple terms, the water acts as the carrier, delivering salt where it can do the damage and keep spiders from invading your home.”
Some websites suggest that salt can also be used as a natural insecticide, potentially killing spiders by disrupting their internal processes. As this is a natural spider repellent, it works most effectively when used consistently.