The spider epidemic is spreading across Ireland...
The spider epidemic is spreading across Ireland... I swear I nearly hard a heart attack last night at the sight of the size of the 'creature' that was lurking in my living room! Last week I found two in the same day. One in the hall and the other as I ran my son's bath and I could see the colour of the whites in that one's eyes, he was that big!
So I researced how the hell was I going to try and stop them getting in and here's what I found. So I am sharing this with anyone who detests spiders as much as I do!
Burn essential oils
Spiders are repelled by strong scents that, happily, many of us already use as home fragrances. Dilute oils like tea tree, peppermint or eucalyptus with some water and put them in a spray bottle and spray them around window and doorways.
Burning them in an oil burner throughout the day will also help.
Vinegar
If you are not a fan of essential oils or cannot use them, fill a spray bottle with half white vinegar and half water and spray in corners, cracks and crevices of your home as this will ward off the spiders. Be careful to avoid varnished surfaces as vinegar can be harsh on this type of furniture.
Do a tidy up!
Spiders love to hide away in a dark nook or cranny, and where there's mess there is plenty of spider hangouts. Choose plastic storage containers rather than cardboard boxes as these are harder for spiders to crawl into. Hoover under your bed and put away all that clutter in those corners. Spiders don't pay rent!
Citrus
Spiders hate all citrus scents, so rub citrus peel along skirting boards, windowsills and bookcases. Buy lemon-scented cleaners and furniture polish, and burn citronella candles to keep them at bay.
Conkers
This might sound bonkers, but I read an old wives' tale that said that spiders were repelled by chestnuts. Scattering a few conkers on windowsills and in the corners of rooms certainly couldn't do any harm I suppose? Just be careful if you have small children! (Also pets).
Garlic
Any excuse to eat garlic, eh? Known for its vampire-repelling properties, turns out spiders don't like the smell either. If you can stomach it. crush some cloves into a spray bottle filled with water and use to scent the corners, floors and skirting boards of any room prone to receiving unwanted hairy guests.
