Households across the UK are being urged to boil lemon peels in water from September to deter spiders. Peak spider season in the UK typically starts in early September, so it’s likely that the eight-legged creatures will be spotted creeping around homes over the coming weeks. The season usually lasts until mid-October as spiders head indoors in search of shelter and a mate, which is bad news for arachnophobes.
There are several species that creep inside UK homes, but the most common is house spiders, and they find their way in through cracks, caps, open windows and doors. Simply sealing these entry points shut is an obvious solution to keep the critters out, but there is another layer of defence you can try – and that requires using lemons.
Why citrus scents work
Spiders have a sensitive sense of smell and don’t enjoy strong aromas, especially citrus fruits like lemon, so you can utilise this by making a homemade solution to spritz around your home to help deter the creatures from entering. Experts suggest soaking lemon peels in boiling water, along with a few drops of essential oil, and leaving this overnight before transferring it into a spray bottle. Then simply spray the solution into entry points around your home, including around windows, doorways and any cracks or gaps you can find.
In its online advice on keeping spiders out of your home using natural deterrents, The Happy House Cleaning Services said: “Spiders hate citrus fruits! You can easily prepare green repellent by squeezing half a lemon and mixing it with water. Pour this liquid in a spray bottle and spray around the house.
“Spiders usually nest in wall cracks, corners of the walls, and the hidden, dark places – behind cabinets and wardrobes, heavy pieces of furniture, corners of walls and ceilings, cracks in wooden flooring.
“Another way to get rid of spiders is to sun dry citrus fruits peels and grind them in a food processor. Sprinkle this powder around the house once every week and the spiders will soon disappear. You can use grapefruit, orange, lemon or lime peels, or mix of all of them.”
Alternative methods and advice
To make a homemade spider deterrent using citrus fruits, pest experts recommend soaking lemon peels (or orange, grapefruit or lime if you don’t have any lemons) in boiling water, along with a few drops of essential oil, and leaving this to stew overnight before transferring it into a spray bottle. Then simply spray the solution into entry points around your home, including around windows, doorways and any cracks or gaps you can find.
Lake Norman Pest said: “If you have oranges at home and you tend to throw the peels, better stop doing it, especially if you have spiders at home. Orange peels help in repelling spiders, and it will not cost you much.
“The crawling insect is not friends with citrus scents, and it can be the most effective solution for your problem. You only have to cut the peel in chunks and place it inside a container with boiling water. Soak the orange peel overnight and place the extract on a bottle and spray it on places where spiders are usually hiding.
“If you don’t have orange peels, you can also use grapefruit and lemon. Whatever citrus fruits you have, spiders don’t like it, and you can use it to drive them away completely.”
It’s also recommended that you simply rub lemon peels along your windowsills and floors, and leave the peels out to discourage spiders. In its online advice, Go Assist said: “Lemon and orange peels are a natural deterrent for spiders. Rub floorboards and windowsills with the peels once a day so the smell lingers. You can also have a bowl of citrus fruits in your kitchen to keep spiders out of this area.
“Be aware that this could strip the paint off your windowsill, so if you do try this, test it in an inconspicuous area first. You could also try placing citrus peels near your windowsills and doorways to discourage spiders.”
