A cleaning fan has shared an easy way to keep away spiders from your home this spring as we begin to open our windows and embrace the outside air. Spiders may be venturing inside homes looking for food or to escape the elements, either way they can be a pain to deal with.

TikToker Georgia, who goes by Clean with Georgia, shared a natural remedy which will ward off any creepy crawlies. In a video from March, she shared a range of  hacks which are useful for deterring various insects. To help combat spiders, she recommended using peppermint oil.

Zoflora explained that spiders aren’t fans of strong scents, including citrus, peppermint, tea-tree, lavender, rose or cinnamon.

One theory behind this is because spiders smell and taste with their legs, so they will avoid surfaces with strong odours.

How to deter spiders

Georgia instructed to mix half a cup of water with 15 to 20 drops of peppermint oil. Add the solution to a spray bottle. 

Spray the solution on any surface in and around your home, including entry points. 

If you don’t have any essential oils lying about, Zoflora recommended using a vinegar solution as an alternative. However, be careful to avoid varnished surfaces or some fabrics as vinegar may damage them.

Georgia’s video has been viewed over 170,200 times, receiving 17,400 likes and 160 comments. Lynzie said: “I’m going to try this.”

Mojo agreed, “1 thousand percent works,” while Alex wrote, “This is amazing wow thanks for sharing, we put peppermint tea bags around our room, and TOUCH WOOD haven’t seen any spiders since….”

Astrid commented: “Damn you really aren’t getting any spiders this year.”

However it is advisable that people with pets should avoid using peppermint oil in their homes. Peppermint oil, among other essential oils, can be toxic to pets if ingested or inhaled. 

It can cause serious health issues, including liver damage, breathing difficulties, and neurological problems. It can also cause symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, and lethargy.

Another way to ward off unwanted insects like ants as well as spiders, Georgia recommends placing cinnamon sticks or oil at various entry points around the house.

She said: “It’s a hot spice and they do not like it. This also deters ants as well, so it’s a great little hack.”

Spray the solution on any areas of the house and the spiders will stay away.