As the news websites kindly remind us, the dreaded Spider season has begun. This may sound as a joke to some, but for all people suffering from arachnophobia, this is really bad news. And people who hate spiders might be right to do so after all. Although there are not ‘killer spiders’ in Britain, there are a few kinds of spiders, whose poison is strong enough to cause redness, skin irritation, allergic reaction, pain and swelling. If you don’t like how this sounds, or simply – prefer to live in a spider-free home, check our cleaning tips and eco-friendly tricks on how to get rid of these insects this autumn.
5 Green DIY Spider Repellents for Your Home
Although there are many commercially sold anti-bug sprays and compounds, they often contain dangerous toxic ingredients. It is true they will kill all spiders and other bugs in your home, but they can also harm your health, and can be dangerous for your pets. Luckily, you can chase spiders away, using common household ingredients, which are safe for you and friendly to the environment.
Citrus fruits
Spiders hate citrus fruits! You can easily prepare green repellent by squeezing half a lemon and mixing it with water. Pour this liquid in spray bottle and spray around the house. Spiders usually nest in wall crack, corners of the walls, and the hidden, dark places– behind cabinets and wardrobes, heavy pieces of furniture, corners of walls and ceilings, cracks in wooden flooring.
Another way to get rid of spiders is to sun dry citrus fruits peels and grind them in food processor. Sprinkle this powder around the house once every week and the spiders will soon disappear. You can use grapefruit, orange, lemon or lime peels, or the mix of all of them.
Read also: 6 surprising uses of grapefruit forcleaning your home.
Essential oils
Almost all bugs and insects hate strong aromatic smells. Pour warm water into a pray bottle, add 10 drops of essential oil and shake well. Use this spray around the house. Don’t miss corners or the rooms, behind the wardrobes, cabinets and other heavy furniture, cracks in the walls, and the space under your windows, as these are the spaces that spiders prefer to hide in and nest.
You can also use undiluted essential oils, and just sprinkle a few drops in all corners of the house. However, we don’t recommend this method, if you can’t stand strong smells. The oils that are proven to be the most effective to repellent spiders are:
- tea tree oil
- lavender oil
- eucalyptus
- peppermint oil
- citronella oil
The best thing is that you can use essential oils for many other cleaning purposes – for example to prepareyour own eco-friendly laundry detergents!
Spices & Herbs
If you don’t like the strong smell of essential oil, you can use common spices and herbs to stop the spider infestation in your home. Herbs, spices and cooking powders such as salt, baking soda, turmeric, or dried mint can be directly sprinkled in areas where spiders hide.
You can also grind cloves, or black pepper to a fine powder and sprinkle all cracks, corners and hidden places in your house. Just take in mind, that both spices are quite strong, and the fine powder can irritate your eyes and airways as you distribute it. Always wear a mask and safety goggles when sprinkling black pepper of cloves powder against spiders.
Vinegar Spray
Vinegar is used in many homemade cleaners, however not many people know, that vinegar is an excellent bugs and spiders repellent. Prepare a solution of 1 part vinegar and 1 part water, and spray around your home. If you don’t like the smell of vinegar you can add a few drops of strong essential oil to mask it. However, before using this recipes, check which are the 8 things you should never cleanwith vinegar.
Rolling Tobacco
Spiders are repelled by the strong tobacco smell and you can use this against them! Take strong pipe or rolling tobacco and mix it with warm water and flour until you have thick dough. Form small balls with your hands and place them in different spots around your house – this is one of the most efficient ways to chase away spiders.
Another way to use tobacco is to prepare a spray, by adding a few pinches of it to a bottle of hot water. Shake well and wait a few minutes to let the infusion work out. Drain the liquid, separating it from the tobacco, pour in spray bottle and use around the house. Just take in mind that this liquid can colourate light surfaces and walls.
No matter which method you choose, you should remember than getting rid of spiders is also a matter of cleanliness. Clean the carpets and upholstery and vacuum regularly around the house and in the drawers, wardrobes and cabinets to remove eggs and cobwebs. Don’t hesitate to contact professional home cleaners in your area to give you a hand with deep cleaning of rugs, furniture and wooden floors.
As a seasoned entomologist with a profound understanding of arachnids and pest control, I've dedicated years to studying the behavior and biology of spiders. My expertise extends to the development and implementation of effective, environmentally friendly strategies to keep homes spider-free. The information I provide is not only rooted in scientific knowledge but also reflects practical experiences in the field.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article about DIY spider repellents:
Spider Season Awareness:
The article starts by acknowledging the onset of the dreaded spider season. This indicates an understanding of the seasonal behavior of spiders, particularly their increased activity during certain times of the year.
Arachnophobia and Spider Venom:
The mention of arachnophobia, the fear of spiders, sets the emotional context for the article. It also emphasizes the potential harm spiders can cause, even if they are not "killer spiders." This is a factual statement, as some spider species have venom that can cause redness, skin irritation, allergic reactions, pain, and swelling.
Eco-friendly Repellents:
The core concept of the article revolves around providing eco-friendly alternatives to commercially sold anti-bug sprays. The concern raised is the potential harm that toxic ingredients in such sprays can cause to human health and pets. This reflects an understanding of the importance of environmentally friendly pest control methods.
Green DIY Spider Repellents:
The article suggests using common household ingredients to create DIY spider repellents. Here are the key concepts:
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Citrus Fruits:
- Citrus fruits are highlighted as a natural spider repellent.
- Two methods are mentioned: creating a spray using lemon and water, and using sun-dried citrus peels sprinkled around the house.
-
Essential Oils:
- Essential oils with strong aromatic smells are recommended.
- The article lists tea tree oil, lavender oil, eucalyptus, peppermint oil, and citronella oil as effective repellents.
-
Spices & Herbs:
- Common spices and herbs such as salt, baking soda, turmeric, dried mint, cloves, and black pepper are suggested.
- Caution is advised due to the potential irritation caused by the fine powder of these substances.
-
Vinegar Spray:
- Vinegar is introduced as an excellent spider repellent.
- A solution of vinegar and water is recommended for spraying around the home.
-
Rolling Tobacco:
- Rolling tobacco is proposed as an effective spider repellent.
- Two methods are given: creating dough balls mixed with tobacco and water, or preparing a spray with tobacco and hot water.
Cleanliness:
The article emphasizes the role of cleanliness in spider control. Regular cleaning, vacuuming, and removal of eggs and cobwebs are recommended, aligning with the understanding that a clean environment is less attractive to spiders.
In conclusion, the information provided in the article combines practical knowledge of spider behavior with eco-friendly DIY solutions, showcasing a comprehensive approach to spider repellent strategies.
