With spider mating season at its peak in September, UK households are facing a 'giant spider' invasion as temperatures drop and the eight-legged creatures seek comfort indoors. One woman has discovered a solution so effective she hasn't spotted a single unwanted spider in her home for two years.
The two-ingredient hack
Her secret combines just two ingredients – epsom salts and lemon – in a net bag, placed strategically throughout her house. In a TikTok post, user @hazcolourfulhome said: "If you don't want them in your house then listen up, I'm going to teach you a hack that actually works."
She added: "All you need is epsom salt, some little net bags and essential oil. Now I have tried and tested this hack and I've done this for the past few years and I can genuinely say we have had literally none come in."
How to replicate the method
The self-confessed "proper arachnophobe" swears by this simple method, which is straightforward to replicate at home. She purchased a bag of epsom salts, net bags from eBay and her chosen essential oils. She suggested lemon as spiders hate anything citrus-based, though mint, eucalyptus or lavender are equally effective alternatives.
She added: "It doesn't have to be fancy salt, it can be the cheapest epsom salts and this is because they retain the essential oil and don't dissolve. So pour in as much salt as you want into the bag, as you see I go quite heavy handed. Then just tie it up."
Placement and warnings
As the bags could be somewhat greasy, she warned followers against placing them on wooden surfaces that might sustain damage. She continued: "I am just petrified so I think more is more in this case. I've popped them around the front door, the corners and we haven't had any for like two years. I also put them behind the toilet, anywhere they may be. My sister's also done this hack and it's also worked for her."
Why spiders come out in September
If you're only just noticing more spiders wandering around your home, this is because mating season is at its peak in September. Although the season runs from late August through October, it's September when mature male house spiders leave their webs in search of mates indoors. As freaky as it sounds, spiders actually reside in your home quietly for months, but they're on the move during mating season which is why you spot them more easily. Most people would agree a surge of larger spiders appearing indoors throughout September is an entirely normal part of the seasonal calendar.
