How To Stop Spiders Coming Inside This Autumn
Posted onIt’s that time of year when the air becomes crisp, the leaves on the trees start to change colour and Halloween is just around the corner. Halloween isn’t the only scary thing happening at this time of year though – huge spiders start invading the homes of innocent people.
I don’t know about you but I have had a few large, hairy visitors recently. There are two frequently encountered species of house spider in the UK, Tegenaria saeva and Tegenaria Gigantea, and during the autumn, the males go on the prowl looking for a mate. Their quest for love often leads them inside houses and across the paths of the startled humans who live in them.
So now we know why these creatures are in our homes, what on earth can we do about it? Sam Vallancey at The Independent suggests several ways to stop spiders coming inside. Keeping your home clean and free from clutter to deter insects, and in turn the spiders that feed on them. You can use peppermint, tea-tree, citrus or eucalyptus essential oils or orange, lemon or grapefruit peels to fend off the invaders. Conkers left on windowsills are also said to work. Getting a cat will also help to keep down the invertebrate population. They are talking about this very problem over at Lifehacker too.
Sam also advises to seal up cracks, holes and gaps in your home. Draughty skirting boards, floors, doors and windows are all a sign that unwanted critters can also enter. StopGap is great way to seal gaps and keep the spiders (and other little nasties) out. It’s completely removable too so it can be taken out after spider season and re-used next year.