Spider season is peaking in September, and pest control experts say households can use cotton wool balls soaked in essential oils to curb the influx of larger spiders in homes. The warmer weather is fading, and with it, the number of spiders appearing indoors has begun to rise.
Why essential oils repel spiders
Many spider-repelling tips involve plant oils and citrus peel because spiders taste with their feet, and they avoid walking over substances such as lavender oil, lemon and orange peel, and eucalyptus oil. The advice includes making an essential oil mixture, such as lavender oil, and spraying it around windowsills, doorways, skirting boards, and other nooks where spiders may lurk.
Sentinel Pest suggests using cotton wool balls to make this tip more effective. Their guidance says: “Use Cotton Balls: For a longer-lasting effect, soak cotton balls in essential oil and place them strategically in corners, closets, and behind furniture. This method helps maintain a consistent scent in targeted areas.”
How to place the cotton balls
Gardening Know How backs this up, explaining: “Take a cotton ball and add 4 to 5 drops of peppermint oil and 4-5 drops of lavender oil to each one.”
They advise placing each ball in a small dish, plant saucer, or on a coaster, positioned directly on windowsills, near doorways, around trash bins, and inside cabinets or pantries. The balls should be replaced or resoaked every two to three days, or whenever the scent fades.
Safety and benefits of spiders
Gardening Know How also warns: “When positioning your cotton balls, keep them out of reach of pets and small children. Some essential oils can be harmful to pets if ingested or applied in a concentrated form.”
Spiders are beneficial to homes, as they kill flies, silverfish, moths, and other pests, helping to prevent insects from taking over. Leaving them in a ceiling corner can bring those benefits.
