SPIDERS are unpleasant household visitors but there are ways to keep them at bay and here’s how.
The majority of Britain’s 650 species of spiders are harmless.
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But if you’re not a fan, you don’t need to break the bank to critter-proof your home.
In autumn, male spiders leave their webs and crawl into our homes through gaps in windows, doors and other vents looking for a female to mate with.
Keeping your house clutter and dirt-free helps to eliminate dark, dusty spots where spiders love to hang out.
Washing, dusting and vacuuming regularly will get rid of any cobwebs that could contain unhatched baby arachnid egg sacs.
However, as spiders sniff with their legs, it’s wise to spray a solution to blitz around the home to keep the pests at bay.
However, don’t get duped into paying £5+ on store-bought spider-repellent sprays which often contain a combination of toxic ingredients.
Instead, it’s best to opt to make up your own non-toxic spray solution – costing as little as 25p.
We list the cheapest methods which can be used to deter spiders from your home.
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Use citrus fruits to your advantage – costs 25p
Citrus scents are a great deterrent for spiders in your home. The smell is overwhelming for the critters and a simple citrus and water solution can become your best friend here.
You can bag a single lemon for only 25p from Sainsbury’s.
Freshly squeeze a whole lemon, pour the contents into a spray bottle and top it off with tap water.
Spray the solution liberally in areas prone to spiders and you can even wipe the peel along window sills for the ultimate spider deterrent.
The solution is non-toxic and is save to use around your home if you’ve got pets.
It’s also worth looking out for citrus-fragranced furniture polishes and cleaning products too, and use liberally.
Choose minty fragrances – costs £2.23
Spiders hate peppermint, so the fragrance is your best friend.
Invest in a bottle of peppermint essential oil and apply it to known lurking spots.
Use neat in crevices or mix twenty drops with water to spray around sills, skirting boards, ventilation holes and fabrics, including duvet covers, pillows, towels and curtains. Re-apply regularly to keep the aroma strong.
You can get a 10ml bottle of peppermint essential oils for just £2.23 when shopping on online marketplaces.
Collect conkers – for free
Conkers are well known as a natural spider deterrent as they are believed to contain a chemical the creepy critters hate.
Collect horse chestnuts to scatter around your house – place them near skirting boards, on window sills and in dark corners, for example under the bed.
But take care if you have pets as they can be poisonous.
For other tips on keeping the spiders at bay this Autumn, view our SOS Spider Survival guide.
