The ‘spider hotspot’ you’re missing in your car and why a 30p hack could be the key
The SPIDEN season is in full swing.
While we all try all sorts of tricks and gimmicks to keep those creepy crawlies out of our homes, our cars often get forgotten.
According to an auto expert, every vehicle has a “spider hotspot” that can be home to tons of these tiny creatures.
“If you suffer from arachnophobia, or a fear of spiders, you don’t need to be afraid to clean the interior of your car regularly during spider season,” says Graham Conway.
“Spiders are naturally attracted to dark, sheltered places, such as discarded bags, wrappers and cardboard boxes that you have lying around.”
When you get your car dirty, you’re essentially rolling out the red carpet for arachnids.
Also, don’t forget to throw away loose clothing and shoes, as they can be an “obvious hiding place for spiders.”
You should also give your car’s air vents a good cleaning regularly, as “this is another hotspot for spiders,” says Graham, of Select car leasingwarned.
Another way to keep spiders out of your car is to buy an orange from the nearest supermarket.
Graham explains that spiders have a “horrifying” citrus smell, which we can use to our advantage.
“You could try rubbing some lemon or orange peel around your windows and door frames as a means of repelling spiders,” he said.
“You can also leave the peel in the car overnight.”
But if you’re still finding more spiders in your car than you’d like, it’s important to check to see if there’s an “obvious entry point into your car that you’re missing.”
“The rubber seals around windows and trunks can be a potential weak point, especially if they are broken or deteriorated,” he continued.
“The good news is that rubber seals are relatively inexpensive to replace.
“And it may sound obvious, but make sure your windows are completely closed, because even the smallest crack is big enough to attract spiders inside.”
Even with all these tips, you may still encounter a creepy crawly creature in your car.
And when that happens, it’s important that you stay calm.
Everything you need to know about spiders
“Just stop if it is safe to do so, rather than panicking and potentially creating a danger to other road users,” Graham said.
“If a collision with a spin causes you to completely lose your cool behind the wheel, you could be prosecuted for reckless driving. That means a fine of up to £2,500, nine penalty points on your licence and even worse if someone is injured.”