As summer comes to an end it means that many pests will be less of a nuisance, but unfortunately, this time of year is when spiders become more active. 

Spiders begin to make their way into homes at this time of year as it is the peak of their mating season and they are more likely to roam to find other spiders. 

Once the temperature begins to cool down, spiders will enter homes to find a warm place to shelter over winter and look for food as there will be less prey for them to hunt. 

If you are not a fan of creepy crawlies then do not fear as Paul Strong, a pest expert from Magnet Trade, has shared a cheap and simple way to keep spiders away.

Paul said: “Although they are mostly harmless, we don’t want crawlers contaminating our food or creeping up on us in the bathroom. Supermarkets charge anything from £5-£11 for spider repellent.

“Using houseplants and natural tricks to do the work for you is not only cheaper, but the chemical-free method makes your home look and smell amazing.”

The best methods to keep spiders out of your home naturally

Rub lemon peels around entry points 

It may seem strange but spiders are very sensitive to strong smells and are particularly irritated by lemons due to the limonene found in the peels.

One of the best natural ways to deter spiders is to use lemon-scented sprays, and cleaning products and to even rub lemon peels around areas where many spiders enter a home. 

Paul said: “This is one of the easiest and most effective tricks, costing around 14p compared to a £10 ready-made spider repellent. Rub lemon peels all over the windowsills or anywhere spiders tend to perch, such as on skirting boards and bookshelves. The strong citrus scent will repel them away and give your home a lovely fresh scent.”

The lemon will act as a natural barrier as spiders will be reluctant to go near it, and it will stop them from coming into your home. 

Have cinnamon-scented sticks around your homes 

Cinnamon is another small that spiders hate as it contains essential oils such as cinnamaldehyde which gives it such a powerful scent 

Strong smells can overload a spider’s sensory receptors which disrupts their ability to hunt for food as well as greatly irritates them. 

Paul said: “This isn’t just a scent for autumn and Christmas! The strong scent of cinnamon is perfect for keeping spiders away.  Dot cinnamon sticks around your home or grab yourself a cinnamon-scented candle to burn and you’ll be sending those spiders packing in no time. If cinnamon isn’t your preferred scent, any candle that contains citronella will do the trick.”

Buy houseplants that naturally repel spiders

If you are worried about spiders being a nuisance throughout the rest of the year then one of the most effective ways to keep them away is to buy a highly fragrant plant. 

Paul said: “Adding spider-repellent plants is a great natural way to get rid of spiders in the home and they have the added benefit of making your home look and smell good in the process. Plants such as mint, lemongrass and eucalyptus, with their strong scents, are great deterrents to the crawlers.”

Spiders will also stay away from lavender, rosemary and chrysanthemums due to their strong smell and natural oils. Place spider-repellent houseplants around entry points, high-traffic areas such as hallways and dark corners where spiders are more likely to make cobwebs. 

It is also recommended to place a houseplant in bathrooms and kitchens as spiders are attracted to humidity and will stay near areas with a consistent source of water such as sinks, bathtubs and showers.