7 ways to get rid of spiders in your home – and expert advice if they actually work | Leicestershire Live

You may have recently noticed an increase in the number of spiders around your home. While some people appreciate the intricate beauty of their webs, others are repulsed by the sight of these creatures and go to great lengths to remove them.

For those who do not suffer from arachnophobia, it can be difficult to understand why so many individuals find spiders unbearable. Even the largest British house spiders, with legs of only 6-7 cm, are tiny and pose little threat to humans.

Dr Geoff Oxford, spider expert and enthusiast and honorary secretary of the British Arachnological Society (britishspiders.org.uk), explains that only around a dozen of the UK’s 670 spider species possess jaws strong enough to to pierce human skin and possibly inject. venom. However, he points out that these spiders are not aggressive towards humans and will only resort to biting in extreme circumstances, and even then, most verified spider bites result in minimal or no reaction.

According to Dr Oxford, the reason we see more spiders in our homes these days is that autumn is when they reach maturity and emerge from their hiding places, such as behind furniture and in cracks and crevices, in search of a mate.

In his view, this is a positive development, as spiders are invaluable creatures, especially due to their crucial role in consuming large amounts of unwanted reptiles in our homes.

“Spiders do a great job as a natural insecticide and provide food for many other organisms, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, predatory insects and birds,” Oxford enthuses. “Their venom is increasingly being investigated as a source of natural insecticides, and their silk can be used in medicine, for example as a scaffold for artificial joints. The aesthetic beauty of the spiders themselves and their webs goes without saying.”

If you’re still unconvinced or afraid of spiders, there are various theories on how to encourage them to leave your home and squashing them isn’t one of them; it is both cruel and unnecessary. More humane methods often involve using flavors that spiders don’t like, especially citrus.

But are these methods effective?

We consulted bathroom design specialist George Holland of Victorian Plumbing (victorianplumbing.co.uk) and Oxford to get their sometimes differing views on how to get spiders to leave in peace. Here’s what I found out.

Make your own anti-spider spray. Holland suggests that a key natural way to deter spiders from the bathroom and home is to use citrus fruits. He notes that while you may find spider repellent sprays in shops for between £4 and £11, it’s much more economical to make your own.

Simply mix about 20 drops of a citrus juice such as lemon or lime or essential oils such as tea tree, lavender, peppermint or cinnamon with water in a spray bottle. Spray this mixture in the corners of the bathroom or any damp areas where spiders may congregate.

“It’s cheaper, more effective to make your own spray using a citrus like lemon in two minutes, and it makes your bathroom smell amazing,” notes Holland.

However, Oxford questions the effectiveness of these home remedies. “There is nothing wrong with doing this, but there is absolutely no evidence that this or any other ‘remedy’, eg conkers extract, will repel spiders.”

If you want to remove a spider without hurting yourself, Oxford recommends the simple method of catching it under a glass. Place the glass over the spider, slide a piece of cardboard underneath to secure it, and release the spider outside, away from your home.

But he warns: “The long-legged spider and a few other species only live indoors in the UK and putting them outside, especially in winter, will almost certainly kill them.”

For a direct approach, using lemon peel can also be an effective deterrent. A well-known trick shared by Holland involves harnessing the citrus elements of lemon. “This is a favorite trick of mine,” he reveals.

“Rub lemon peel over window sills or anywhere spiders might roost, like behind the toilet or cabinets. The citrus will repel them and give your bathroom a nice smell.”

Oxford, however, has no hard evidence linking lemon peel and spider repelling power. He doesn’t agree with the pleasant citrus smell, but is skeptical about its usefulness as a repellent.

Another of Holland’s suggestions is to seal cracks and openings around windows and doors. His reasoning? Spiders have to breach home security somehow, and sealing off any potential entrances could prevent an impending infestation.

Oxford agrees with this approach, recognizing that although it limits spiders’ availability of suitable nesting sites. “Reducing the number of cracks and crevices will limit the places where spiders are likely to set up home, although some, such as long-legged spiders, do not use such retreats,” he comments.

Keeping one’s space clean and tidy is another strategy Holland uses against eight-legged invasions. Spiders prefer hidden corners and small places over open spaces, so minimizing clutter and regular cleaning can deter their presence.

Holland states, “Keeping rooms organized and clean will reduce the chance of a spider setting a web, and cleaning will remove dust and small insects and food particles that attract spiders inside.”

On the contrary, Oxford believes that while a minimalist, uncluttered home may indeed reduce the number of places for spiders to roost, there is no evidence to suggest that they knowingly venture into homes, noting that spiders consume live creatures , not food scraps. “There is no evidence that dust or food particles serve to attract spiders indoors,” he says.

Citronella air fresheners/candles are another option. While it may be tempting to use homemade repellent in areas more prone to spiders, Holland suggests using air freshener or lighting a candle filled with citronella to keep rooms spider-free, but Oxford remains skeptical, saying he knows of no evidence that this method . it is efficient.

Introduce plants that deter spiders. Holland believes that adding plants like peppermint, lemongrass or eucalyptus to your bathroom can add a touch of decor while also making the space less welcoming to spiders, who hate these types of smells.

However, Oxford disputes this, stating, “I am not aware that any plant acts as a spider repellent by giving off an odor. Some plants in gardens certainly provide better support for cobwebs than others, but that’s not who we are. talking about.”

In addition, Oxford rejects the idea of ​​using mint as a repellent, pointing out that various spider species, including the garden spider, often use mint leaves as safe havens to develop and protect their egg sacs, despite the availability of other species of non-aromatic plants.