With September approaching and spider season beginning, many UK households are looking for ways to keep spiders out without using harsh chemicals. One cleaning expert on social media suggests a simple, natural solution: wiping doors and door frames with lavender oil.
Chantel Mila, a cleaning expert based in Australia, shared the tip in a TikTok video outlining five cleaning hacks that "everyone should know, but no one ever teaches you." Her advice focuses on using entirely natural methods to keep spiders out of the home, requiring no costly equipment or cleaning products laden with harsh chemicals, making it suitable for households with pets or young children.
How to Deter Spiders Naturally
Chantel encourages people to wipe their doors and door frames with lavender oil to ward off spiders, as well as other obvious entry points around the home. Just a few drops applied to a cloth will produce a strong enough scent to put spiders off from venturing inside. While lavender oil smells lovely and refreshing to humans, spiders find it repulsive.
Experts at Snug Scent explain that lavender oil serves as a natural repellent for spiders thanks to its potent aroma. Spiders detest the strong scent of lavender and will generally steer clear of locations where it's used. They added: "Using lavender oil in a diffuser or as a spray around the home not only keeps spiders at bay but also provides a calming environment for you and your family. It's perfect for bedrooms and other areas where you seek relaxation and peace."
Why Do Spiders Hate Lavender?
Daniel Steward, managing director at Shield Pest Control, explains that spiders strongly dislike lavender's sweet yet sharp, floral fragrance. He said: "Lavender's aroma disrupts spiders' ability to track scent trails, which they use for navigation and communication. This confusion makes it harder for spiders to find safe nesting locations, discouraging them from staying in the area. Furthermore, some compounds in lavender oil have mild insect-repellent properties, adding to its effectiveness."
Other Ways to Keep Spiders Away
Lavender isn't the only natural spider repellent available. Other herbs, such as peppermint, can be equally effective. A 2018 study discovered that "volatiles released by mint oil and chestnuts may be effective in deterring spider settlement in two different families of spiders." Combine a few drops of peppermint oil with water and washing-up liquid to create a homemade spray, perfect for applying around windows and doors.
Citrus fragrances, such as orange and lime, are also known to confuse and deter spiders. Blending citrus oil with white vinegar and water creates another powerful spider repellent that can be sprayed wherever you want to keep spiders at bay.
