Strong scents
Spiders really don’t like strong scents such as citrus, peppermint, tea-tree, lavender, rose or cinnamon. Add 15 to 20 drops of your chosen essential oil or a couple of capfuls of Zoflora fragrance to a spray bottle filled with water, and spritz around the house.
Pay special attention to areas where spiders are likely to come in such as windows and doors. If you do not have any essential oils or Zoflora to hand, vinegar can be used as a substitute but be careful to avoid varnished surfaces or some fabrics as vinegar may damage them.
Another scent that repels spiders is cedar, so if you are really bothered by spiders, consider investing in cedar wood furniture or place cedar wood blocks around your garden and near spider entrances. If your cedar blocks start to lose their scent, simply sand them down to refresh the scent.
Clean and De-clutter
Spiders like to hide, so if your house is clean and tidy there are less hiding spaces for the eight-legged creatures. Use plastic storage boxes instead of cardboard ones as they are harder for spiders to walk on, and keep them stacked with large gaps between them to make it harder for webs to be built. Dust and vacuum frequently to rid your house of unwanted webs.
Protect from the Outside
Stop spiders from their source by removing any pots, grass clippings or compost away from exterior walls so spiders can’t hide in them. Check windows and doors for cracks, and repair them if needed to prevent spiders crawling into the house. Plant strong smelling trees and plants such as a eucalyptus tree or lavender or mint plants in the garden to repel spiders.
Lights off
While spiders themselves are not attracted by the light, other insects that spiders like to eat are. Keeping outside lights off will prevent insects being attracted and spiders coming near your house. Keep indoor lights on but consider using opaque blinds to prevent the light shining through doors and windows.
