As autumn approaches, households may notice more spiders venturing indoors in search of food and refuge from harsher weather. Cleaning expert and TikTok creator Chantel Mila has shared a simple natural method to deter them: wiping lavender oil around entry points.
How to apply lavender oil
To establish a first line of defence, focus on entry points such as doors and windows. Dab lavender oil onto a cloth or sponge and wipe it around doors, door frames and windowsills. Lavender oil can also be added to a homemade cleaning spray – Zoflora recommends mixing 15 to 20 drops with water in a spray bottle and spritzing around the house.
If essential oils are not available, vinegar can serve as an equally effective substitute. Seeds of Africa notes that lavender contains a non-toxic compound called linalool, a key component in many commercial and natural insect repellents.
Why lavender works
Spiders are put off by powerful scents, and lavender interferes with their ability to follow scent trails used for navigation and communication. Daniel Steward, Managing Director at Shield Pest Control, told Ideal Home: "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 essential oils that repel spiders include peppermint, tea tree, citrus, cedarwood and clove bud. Candles or incense can also help. However, lavender will not kill spiders – it acts only as a deterrent.
Additional measures
Sentinel Pest Control recommended essential oils as part of a thorough cleaning routine. The pest experts wrote: "A clean home, sealed entry points, and minimal clutter are crucial for preventing infestations. Essential oils enhance these efforts, delivering an extra punch in keeping spiders at bay and ensuring your home remains a no-go zone for these eight-legged intruders."
Lavender oil can also be applied to cotton wool balls and placed in corners of rooms or behind furniture. For outdoor protection, planting lavender in the garden alongside other strong-scented herbs is another option. Luke Newnes, gardening expert at Hillarys, previously told Express.co.uk: "Planting fragrant herbs such as mint, lavender or rosemary can also help. These don't guarantee rodents will disappear overnight, but they do make the garden far less appealing. Mint is a good choice, but it's best grown in pots as it can spread quickly."
