Spider season is looming! As autumn approaches and the temperatures drop, spiders often look for shelter indoors. If you’re not a fan, there are a few ways to deter them before they get settled in.
But if you find one on your travels, fear not! Simply catch it under a glass and a piece of paper or card and take it outside.
How to keep spiders out of your house
1. Keep windows closed
The reason so many of us have cobwebs in our houses at the end of summer is because we’ve kept our windows open for so much of the warm season. With autumn on its way, clean and close those windows and give spiders fewer easy entrances to your home.
2. Remove clutter
Spiders like to hide in dark corners, and nowhere is this easier than within the bits and bobs you have around your home. It’s simple – the less clutter you have, the fewer homes you are creating for your arachnid pals. Put your belongings in enclosed storage boxes and clear surfaces, and do a big autumn declutter. Cleaning the nooks and crannies around your windows is particularly important if there are cobwebs lurking.
3. Fill in any cracks in walls and around window and door frames
Caulk and seal any cracks using silicone or acrylic latex caulk to cover the crack. Spiders can get into your house using the smallest hole imaginable, so keep an eye out for those tiny gaps.
4. Add tight door sweeps to doors
If you have old, gappy external doors, a door sweep might help keep spiders out. Plus, it has the added bonus of excluding drafts, something we’re all keen to do in the cooler months.
5. Use a peppermint spray
Spiders don’t like the smell of peppermint, which is fortunate for us – as humans tend to find it a rather pleasing scent. Add some peppermint oil to a spray bottle (about 10 to 15 drops will do) and dilute it with water, spraying around your window and doorframes to deter spiders.
Alternatively (or additionally), you could grow a couple of peppermint plants indoors – or other fresh herbs like basil or rosemary. Spiders don’t like strong fragrances, so this is a great way to keep them at bay.
6. Try citrus scents
Spiders dislike citrus fruits, including lemons and oranges, so you can mix your leftover citrus fruit peels to water and spread the solution across surfaces to keep them away. This is a cheap and easy spider repellent.
7. Vacuum regularly
Keeping your house clean and clutter-free is one of the best ways of keeping pests out. Vaccuum to get rid of any cobwebs, paying particular attention to the dark corners of rooms, under sofas and in low-traffic areas of the house.
8. Reduce outdoor lighting
You’ll find that many insects like to hang around bright lights, so spiders often head to these areas in search of food. Keep outdoor lighting to a minimum, to avoid bringing insects and spiders towards your home.
9. Clear the outside of your house
Keeping leaf litter and debris at a minimum around your home will deter spiders from setting up shop on your front door. Make your life easier on the inside by clearing the outside first!
Top image: Getty
