Cleaning expert and TikTok creator Chantel Mila has shared a natural deterrent for keeping spiders out of homes this autumn, as the creatures look for shelter and food when temperatures drop.
Mila, who posted the tip in August, recommends using lavender oil on entryways, particularly doors and windows, to ward off the creepy crawlies.
How to apply lavender oil
To set up the first line of defence, target the openings to your home, including doors and windows. Simply add lavender oil to a cloth or sponge and wipe around doors, door frames, and windowsills.
Lavender oil can also be added to a homemade cleaning spray. Zoflora instructed adding 15 to 20 drops of the oil to a spray bottle filled with water, and spritzing around the house.
If essential oils are not available, vinegar can be used as an effective alternative.
Why lavender works
Seeds of Africa explained that lavender contains a non-toxic compound called linalool, which is a key ingredient in many commercial and natural insect repellents. Besides lavender oil, candles or incense can also be used to ward off spiders.
Spiders dislike strong scents, so a number of essential oils can help deter them. Alongside lavender, spiders are also repelled by peppermint, tea tree, citrus, cedarwood and clove bud essential oils.
As spiders use specialised scent receptors on their legs and body, coming into contact with strong scents can overwhelm their senses.
Additional tips and limitations
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.”
However, lavender will not kill spiders and works only as a deterrent. Sentinel Pest Control recommended essential oils as part of a comprehensive approach, writing: “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 essential oil can also be added to cotton wool balls, which can be soaked and placed in corners of the home or behind furniture. For extra protection, lavender can be planted in the garden alongside other pungent herbs. 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.”
