Households urged to put cotton wool on windowsills in November | UK | News
Spider season has been a harrowing experience this year; After a hot summer, large house spiders have invaded homes in large numbers.
Although the worst period for spider phobia is beginning to subside, eight-legged infestations can still occur in November, according to spider experts. Bottom line, if you’re worried about alarmingly large spiders constantly showing up in your home, pest control experts say there are still some things you can do this month to eliminate the worst part of the problem.
Most spider repellent tips involve the use of citrus peel, as well as various plant oils. This is because spiders taste with their feet, and there are some things they can’t stand walking on, like lavender oil, lemon and orange peels, and eucalyptus oil.
Tips say you should prepare a blend of essential oils, such as lavender oil, and then spray it on windowsills, doorways, baseboards, and other nooks and crannies where spiders might attack.
But according to specialist pest control site Sentinel Pest, you can use cotton balls to make this tip even more effective.
Sentinel Pest says: “Use cotton balls. For a longer-lasting effect, soak cotton balls in essential oil and place them strategically in corners, cabinets, and behind furniture. This method helps maintain a consistent scent in targeted areas.”
This is also supported by Gardening Know How, which explains: “Take a cotton ball and add four to five drops of peppermint oil and four to five drops of lavender oil each.
“Place each on a small plate, plant plate, or on a coaster, and place them directly on windowsills, in doorways, around trash cans, or even inside cabinets or pantries.
“Change or re-soak the cotton balls every two to three days or when the smell disappears.
“When placing your cotton balls, keep them out of reach of pets and small children. Some essential oils can be harmful to pets if ingested or applied in concentrated form.”
Of course, it’s also worth noting that spiders are actually beneficial to your home; They kill flies, silverfish, moths and other pests, and generally clean up around the house to prevent bugs from taking over, so if you can stand to leave them alone, tucked away in a corner of the attic, you’ll feel the benefits.
