Eliminate spiders from your home for good with these tips
Spiders are amongst the most common of "visitors" to our homes, and although they are most often not harmful to humans - and actually are quite useful in getting rid of other annoying insects like mosquitoes and cockroaches - they are not always the most welcome of guests.
There are various reasons why spiders choose to settle in our homes, and they may not be a problem if they appear individually. A spider could have easily entered through a door or window that was left open. The situation changes when we find ourselves dealing with many of these eight-legged creatures on a daily basis.
Getting rid of spiders can be a chore and we can find ourselves having to "evict" them every day.
So, what attracts spiders to our homes, and what can we do to keep them away? Well, keep reading:
What attracts spiders to our homes?
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Unwittingly, we may be making some common mistakes that can make our homes appear inviting to spiders:
Garbage: Trash cans should always be kept tightly closed to prevent attracting flies, which, in turn, can attract spiders that prey on them.
Food: The habit of leaving food out after cooking or consuming meals can attract not only spiders but also various other insects.
Humidity: A house that is too humid is not conducive to our well-being and inevitably attracts many insects that thrive in high-moisture environments. Water stagnation in plant saucers, sinks, countertops, or on the floor not only damages furniture and other surfaces, facilitates mold growth, and makes the air inside our homes less healthy, but it is also attractive to spiders and other insects.
Light: Spiders are attracted to light, which they use as a source of warmth. Turning off lights during the night not only promotes better sleep but also avoids attracting insects.
Effective, natural remedies to repel spiders
In addition to the precautions mentioned above, there are effective, natural remedies to keep spiders away from your home. These remedies are also quite simple and inexpensive to use:
- Salt: Dissolve some salt in water and spray it directly on spiders or at possible entry points to eliminate them quickly and prevent a new infestation.
- White vinegar: Its odor is unpleasant to spiders, causing them to stay away. Prepare a solution of equal parts water and vinegar and spray it where you have seen spiders and around possible entry points.
- Plants: If you have a green thumb, you can choose to cultivate species that naturally repel unwanted guests. Aromatic plants, in particular, release a pleasant scent for us but repel most insects. The best choices include peppermint, rosemary, basil, lavender, and eucalyptus. Chrysanthemums and marigolds are perfect for adding color to your home, while simultaneously repelling many insects.
The most effective remedy against spiders in the home
When you find spiders in your home, the most effective method to get rid of them is to first vacuum up all the cobwebs (and the spiders too!), then thoroughly clean your entire home and ensure it stays spider-free by using a natural remedy made with essential oils. Simply mix 40 drops of your preferred essential oil with 150 ml of water and 150 ml of pure alcohol. Thoroughly mix all the ingredients - the alcohol will help dissolve the essential oils in the water - and spray it in all the areas where you have detected spiders and around possible entry points.
The best essential oils for this purpose are peppermint, tea tree oil, eucalyptus, rose, citronella, cinnamon, citrus, and lavender. However, you can mix the essential oils you have on hand to pleasantly scent your home at the same time.
Use this essential oil spray monthly to keep your home smelling great and spider-free!