Households urged to put cotton wool on windowsills in October

Spiderseason is well underway and late September to early October is the peak of the worst period for spiderphobes, according to spider experts. As a result, if you're worried about the alarmingly gigantic spiders which seem to be constantly showing up in your home in ever bigger numbers, there are some things pest control specialists say you can do to try to curb the worst of the problem now.

Many spider repelling tips involve the use of various plant oils, as well as citrus peel. That's because spiders taste with their feet, and there are certain things like lavender oil, lemon and orange peel, and eucalyptus oil which they simply can't stand to walk over.

The tips say you should make an essential oil mixture, such as with lavender oil, and then spray this around windowsills, doorways, skirting boards and any other nooks and crannies where spiders are liable to pounce from.

But according to expert pest control site Sentinel Pest, you can use cotton wool 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, closets, and behind furniture. This method helps maintain a consistent scent in targeted areas."

This is backed up by Gardening Know How which explains: "Take a cotton ball and add 4 to 5 drops of peppermint oil and 4 to 5 drops of lavender oil to each one.

"Place each one in a small dish, plant saucer, or rest it on a coaster, and position them directly on windowsills, near doorways, around trash bins, and even inside cabinets or pantries.

"Replace or resoak cotton balls every two to three days, or whenever the scent fades.

"When positioning 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 a concentrated form."

Of course, it should be noted that spiders are actually beneficial for your home; they kill flies, silverfish, moths and other pests and generally clean up around the house to prevent insects from taking over, so if you can bear to leave them to their own devices tucked in a ceiling corner, you will feel the benefits.