As autumn approaches and ahead of another heatwave, UK households may see more spiders indoors, but a simple homemade spray could help deter them. Home improvement expert Helen Godsiff, brand manager at Eurocell, recommends mixing a small amount of peppermint oil with water and spraying it around window frames, doors, and other potential entry points.
Why spiders come indoors
Godsiff said: "Spider mating season is right around the corner, and there’s nothing worse than being startled by a sudden appearance of eight-legged visitors in the home." She explained that warmer summer weather can keep spiders active longer, while open windows and doors provide easy access.
The Natural History Museum notes that house spiders become particularly noticeable between August and October, when adult males leave their webs to search for females. This wandering behaviour explains the sudden increase in spiders moving around homes during late summer and autumn.
Other natural deterrents
Eurocell also suggests mixing two tablespoons of white vinegar with warm soapy water, soaking cotton wool pads in the solution, and placing them around windowsills and door frames. Keeping outdoor lighting to a minimum can help, as lights attract insects that spiders feed on. Regular vacuuming of corners, webs, and areas behind furniture is another tip, along with placing conkers around windowsills and doorways.
The peppermint oil spray is offered as a simple deterrent rather than a scientifically proven method. The Natural History Museum emphasises that most spiders in UK homes are harmless and play an important role as predators of insects, so their presence is not necessarily a problem.
