As summer fades and September rolls in, many British households notice an unwelcome change indoors — spider season. It’s the time of year when you’re most likely to spot them scuttling across floors, lurking in bathtubs, or weaving webs in quiet corners of the home, with males becoming especially active as they wander in search of mates.
Spider mating season, which used to start in September, has started coming earlier and earlier due to weather changes in the UK, meaning many are seeing spiders in their homes now. James Higgins, flooring expert at Online Carpets, has shared ways to keep spiders away from your home, including the best scents to repel them from hotspot areas.
Deter spiders with scents
James said: “There are a few scents that spiders dislike – cinnamon, mint, lavender and lemon to name a few.
“The perfect autumnal scent, spiders dislike the warm spice of cinnamon. Cinnamon comes in different forms, so you can either place cinnamon sticks around your home, or alternatively, opt for a scented candle to deter any spiders and give your house a cosy feeling.”
If you prefer using plants as deterrants, James recommends getting some lavender or mint.
“Grab some lavender or mint plants and pot these so they sit around your windowsill – not only will they spruce up the outdoors of your home, but they can stop spiders from making their way inside in the first place,” he said.
“Another great way to get rid of spiders is to look for citrus scents. A cheap and easy solution is torub lemon peels over your windowsills, skirting boards or any shelves to deter spiders. Not only does the strong citrus smell keep any spiders away, but it will also leave your kitchen or bathroom smelling fresh.”
However, if you want a “quick fix”, James recommend making your own DIY repellant “by mixing around 20 drops of an essential oil with water in a spray bottle.”
He added: “You can choose from lemon, peppermint or lavender essential oils to give your home a lovely smell, and fend off any spiders at the same time.
“Spray your mixture in any corners or crevices where spiders are likely to be hiding.
“You can also create your own cleaning solution by mixing a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and warm water, and then add a few drops of your chosen essential oil. You can use this trick when it comes to cleaning any laminate or vinyl flooring that you may have in your kitchen or bathroom – perfect for the spider hotspots.”
Clean your home
James also stresses the importance of havng a clean home to deter spiders from making themselves at home.
He said: “The first step when looking at how to get rid of spiders in the house is to seal their entryways. Block any gaps in walls and pipes, and seal any cracks you have around your windows and doors to stop them from making their way in.“
“You should then clean off any windowsills – especially any that already have cobwebs – as the dirt and build up could be attracting insects, and then, spiders.”
“You can use a simple mix of white vinegar and warm water to spray over your windows and windowsills to leave them sparkling ahead of spider mating season.
The expert recommends households to do regular cleaning, tidying and decluttering to remove spider hiding places.
He said: “Spiders love hiding – so it’s key to keep tidying and decluttering to remove their hiding places. Make sure you dust and vacuum regularly if you spot any spiderwebs.
“It’s also important to keep your bin closed, away from windows, and regularly cleaned. Flies love our bins, and if you’re attracting flies, you’ll probably attract some spiders too.”
