THEY ARE unwanted pests and often scare people.
And as temperatures continue to drop, homes across the UK are becoming increasingly popular with spiders.
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However, there are a number of simple solutions you can implement to deter these creepy crawlies, starting with a common mistake that many people make in their garden.
“While spiders themselves are not attracted to light sources, many of the insects they feed on are attracted to them, which in turn attracts them to outdoor lighting,” said pest expert John Stewart of the technical team at Pelsis UKexplained.
“Dim your outdoor lights, especially at night, can reduce the number of insects – and therefore the number of spiders – around your home.”
September is the beginning of the spider breeding season. The arachnids then look for a place in your home where they can lay their eggs and wait out the colder months.
So, locking down access points to your property is another important step.
“Making sure window frames are properly sealed and there are barrier strips attached to the bottom of doors can help deter intruders,” says John.
“While it’s unlikely that you can block off all spider entry points, you can block off major entry points, such as cracks under doors, to help prevent spiders from entering your living space.”
It is also important to keep your home as clean as possible, as regular cleaning can deter spiders from building their nests, especially if you vacuum up their webs.
“Regular vacuuming is extra important here, because you not only kill the spiders, but also the eggs they have laid. That will reduce their numbers considerably,” John continues.
“Pay special attention to corners and under furniture, because that’s where spiders like to hide the most!”
And when you clean, choose a lemon-scented cleaning product if possible.
“Cleaning your furniture, baseboards and windowsills with lemon-scented cleaning products is a simple, natural way to keep them at bay,” he concluded.
You can also rub lemon peel on windowsills, which is a cheap deterrent.
“This is one of the easiest and most effective tricks, costing around 14p compared to a £10 ready-made spider repellent,” said Paul Strong, Store Operations Manager at Magnet tradeexplained.
Everything you need to know about spiders
“Rub lemon peels on windowsills and other places where spiders like to hang out, such as baseboards and bookshelves.
“The strong citrus scent repels insects and provides a lovely fresh scent in the home.”
Strongly scented plants, such as mint, lemongrass and eucalyptus, also work well to keep insects out.
