Pest expert shares ‘the most effective’ hack to stop spiders coming into your home this autumn – and it only costs 30p

WINTER means cosy nights tucked away inside but unfortunately, this appeals to more than just humans.

Harsh weather conditions means your home is likely rampant with spiders sheltering from the cold.

Pest control technician Mihail Velev from Fantastic Pest Control spoke exclusively to Fabulous about the best ways to tackle the unwanted visitors.

First, he explained why you may notice more spiders in your home at this time of the year.

“They’re trying to survive and instinctively looking for shelter, food, and also other spiders to mate with,” he said.

“The main things that attract spiders in a home include quiet, warm, and humid places and other pests that can serve as a food source for them, such as mosquitoes, flies, fruit flies, moths and cockroaches.”

Areas of your house with high insect activity, such as around your bins, likely play home to a number of praying spiders too.

“This also means that if there are spiders inside your home, it’s a very likely indicator that you have been infested by another pest too,” the expert revealed.

As well as seeking refuge from cold weather, spiders also enter homes to reproduce.
 
“Spider mating season is another time when they can be everywhere inside your home,” Mihail said.

“During this period, which is usually around September until the middle of October, their behaviour changes drastically and male spiders come out of the spots they’ve been hiding to find a mate.”

While most of us think of windows and doors as the main entry point for spiders, the pest control expert revealed some less obvious ones.

“They can also make use of any cracks and gaps, holes around the pipework and air vents,” he explained.

“In general, any opening to your home, whether you’re aware of it or not, can give them indoor access.”

He also revealed that spiders often enter homes by “hitchhiking” on our belongings while we’re out and about.

“Unfortunately, in this case, there’s very little you can do except try to inspect your items as thoroughly as possible before bringing them indoors if you’re worried about spiders,” Mihail said.

According to the expert, there are severals ways you can deter spiders from your home.

1. Fix cracks and gaps

The first is to inspect your home and seal any visible cracks, gaps, and holes, particularly around the foundation, pipework, and vents.

“Even if you keep your windows and doors closed, make sure they seal properly when they’re closed and consider installing screens,” he advised.

2. Clean regularly

In general, maintaining a clean home with proper humidity levels should deter spiders because there will be no pests to attract them and it limits potential hiding spots.

Mihail also recommended vacuuming regularly, disposing of your bins properly, cleaning any dust and spiderwebs, decluttering, and keeping your food stored in airtight containers.

3. Repel with scents

You can also use specific scents to repel pests from your home.

“Strong smells are actually one of the best natural ways to deter spiders from coming inside your home,” the expert explained.

The most effective scents include citrus, such as lemon, lime and orange, and essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, and peppermint oil.

Lavender, mint and cinnamon smells can also work to deter the creatures.

“You can mix a few drops of these essential oils with water and use it in a diffuser or spray it around any entry points, such as windows and doors,” Mihail advised.

Or simply pick up a lemon or two from the supermarket for as little as 30p and give that a squeeze or mix with vinegar or water and spray.

You can also use vinegar to repel spiders from your space as it’s strong smell and acetic acid can harm them.

If you wish to use vinegar, experts recommend diluting it with equal parts water.

4. Turn off outside lights

“Another thing that can help keep spiders away is to have your outdoor lights turned off at night because spiders are similar to moths and are drawn to light,” the expert explained.

5. Opt for fragrant plants outside

“Consider also planting spider-repelling plants outside your house, such as mint, lemongrass, marigolds, lavender, rosemary and sage.”

And while they may not be your preferred decor, the expert explained that spiders in your home is “a good indicator that the environment is healthy”.

“It prevents the outbreak of different pests that can damage the ecosystem and spread disease,” he revealed.

He pointed out the contributions spiders have made to advancements in medicine.

“They’ve played a key role in advancements in medicine and, their silk, in particular, has had many industrial applications,” he said.

“Spider venom has compounds in it that have been studied and helped develop medicine to treat many different illnesses and diseases.”