Are you wondering how to repel spiders naturally? With spider mating season around the corner, you may find the eight-legged insects creeping around your bathroom, kitchen and living room more than usual.
“There’s many old-wives’ tales about how conkers can repel spiders – but many don’t know that a lot of fragrant houseplants can do just that,” Evie Lane, Gardening Expert at Primrose, says. “Most spider-deterring plants have a strong odour since aromatic plants are generally more effective at repelling insects – but they still smell great in your home too.”
Wondering how to banish the pesky creatures for good? Take a look at the popular plants that can repel them below…
1. Basil
Basil is great at repelling spiders, as well as other bugs such as ants, houseflies and mosquitoes. It might be a popular culinary herb, but its fragrant scent will keep the creepy crawlies at bay. Simply get your hands on a few basil pots and place them around entry points in the home.
“The herb can be grown in any area of your home, as long as it gets access to direct sunlight for four to five hours per day,” Evie adds.
2. Lavender
If you’re looking to avoid noxious chemicals, lavender is a safe and effective alternative for getting rid of spiders. Simply take a cutting from your lavender bush, tie it together in a small bunch and then hang in each room of your house. As well as bringing beautiful fragrance to your home, its strong scent will have your eight-legged roommates crawling away in no time.
3. Mint
If you’re someone who shrieks when you see spiders, you may want to try peppermint to get rid of them. All you need to do is pluck a few fresh mint leaves and place them inside a spray bottle with water. Leave to absorb and then spray around entry points in your home, targeting areas such as windowsills and doorways.
4. Rose
“Rosemary is faintly scented for the human nose but releases an intense odour to spiders,” Evie explains. “Make sure you’re growing it indoors though – rosemary is less cold tolerant so will thrive in a standalone pot in a warmer environment.”
5. Chrysanthemum
Many gardeners use chrysanthemums as companion plants to repel spiders, ants, ticks, fleas, spider mites, cockroaches and even bed bugs. Not only will the bright blooms liven up your home, but their pyrethrum ingredient will naturally repel any unwanted spiders without harming them.
6. Eucalyptus
Thanks to the distinctly earthy aroma of its oil, eucalyptus makes a great repellent for spiders, mosquitoes and other pests. All you need to do is add a few fresh sprigs around your bathroom, kitchen, living room and entryway to keep them at bay. If that still isn’t working, Evie explains you can also mix a few leaves with witch hazel and water to make a nifty spray. Simply spritz any areas to prevent spiders from making webs.
7. Marigolds
“Allotment keepers have been planting marigolds next to vegetables for generations – and for good reason,” Evie says. “Marigolds will repel nearly every small pest known, including spiders, snails and bugs. By placing fragrant plants throughout your home and investing in a cruelty-free spider catcher, your home will be pleasantly spider free this autumn.”
8. Citronella plants
Known for being an effective bug repellent, citronella plants can grow happily in many types of different soil. If you want to keep these sweet-smelling plants indoors, make sure you give them as much sunlight as possible to keep them bushy and more sturdy. Much like lavender, it’s a good idea to give these plants artificial light during the dark winter months.
9. Lemon balm
This bushy perennial, famous for its lemon-scented leaves and pale purple flowers in summer, is a member of the mint family. If you’re struggling with spiders during the autumn season, consider placing a potted lemon balm on a sunny window sill (they need around six hours of sunlight each day). Easy to grow from seeds, they are excellent at driving away common insects, such as fruit flies and spiders.
