Spraying 3p tea around home can naturally repel spiders
Spiders hate the strong smell of this calming tea (Image: Getty)
It might not be peak spider season, but that doesn’t mean these eight-legged creatures are not lurking somewhere in homes. According to Ulster Wildlife, some spider species will emerge from winter dormancy during March and April in the UK as temperatures rise.
Although many who hid indoors during the winter will return to gardens, some species prefer the comfort and predictability of indoor life. Some may even be hatching from eggs laid in warm, secluded, or cluttered spots.
For people who hate the sight of these creepy crawlies but don’t want to harm them, there are natural ways to make your house feel less homely to them. The best way to become an awful spider host is to overwhelm their strong senses – and a cheap cup of tea might be the perfect natural solution.
Daniel Steward, managing director of Shield Pest Control, told Ideal Home: “Steep two to three peppermint tea bags in about 500ml of boiling water and leave it to sit for up to an hour. The longer you let it steep, the stronger the scent will be.
“Once it has cooled, pour the mixture into a spray bottle and use it around the areas where spiders tend to appear. Good spots include door frames, corners of rooms, behind furniture, and along skirting boards. You will need to reapply the spray every two to three days to keep it effective.”
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People can grab a box of peppermint tea for an affordable price at Aldi. A box of Soothing and Refreshing Peppermint Infusion Bags includes 40 bags for £1.35. This works out at around 3p per cup made.
Why does this scent trick work?
Spiders ‘taste’ and smell their environment using sensory hairs on their legs. Applying strong scents can quickly overwhelm these delicate sensors and send spiders scuttling away to less overwhelming areas.
Having strong, pungent smells in the area can interfere with their ability to track prey and navigate, making the environment a poor choice (in their many eyes) to set up a home. People relying on these natural efforts should try to cover lots of hotspot areas to ensure the spiders don’t find an unprotected corner somewhere.
Aside from peppermint, lots of strong yet pleasant smells can work, such as:
- tea tree
- eucalyptus
- lavender
- citrus (lemon/orange)
- cinnamon
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There are lots of other natural methods to repel spiders from settling in homes across the UK. Previously, the Express reported that Brits should perform a ‘white vinegar ritual’ to mark out similar spider-free zones.
According to experts, spraying the front door with vinegar will help keep the house clean and pest-free. Vinegar’s strong aroma acts as a powerful repellent, and insects such as ants and spiders will avoid the areas where they detect the scent.
People should avoid killing spiders on sight when they wander into homes. Despite their appearance, they are vital, harmless predators that control household pests like flies, moths, and mosquitoes.
