Spiders will avoid entering homes if you spray windows and doors with 1 smell

Driveway and patio owners across the UK are being urged to spray white vinegar on their outdoor spaces for a crucial reason. This natural ingredient, while seemingly odd, boasts numerous benefits, including keeping unwanted pests at bay.

As many Brits may have already noticed, autumn is spider season. As the weather cools, these eight-legged creatures begin to seek refuge indoors to mate and search for food. However, you can halt their progress by arming yourself with a spray bottle of white vinegar. Experts suggest that white vinegar serves as an excellent natural deterrent for spiders.

So, if you're keen to prevent them from sneaking in through cracks or gaps in your doors or walls, spraying white vinegar near your home should do the trick.

Spiders possess a potent sense of smell, and the strong odour of vinegar can overwhelm and confuse their chemoreceptors which they use to navigate their surroundings.

"Vinegar can also be a handy natural deterrent, working in much the same way as essential oils," says Liam Cleverdon, cleaning expert and Director at Flooring King.

"A simple mix of half white vinegar and half water in a spray bottle is enough; just spritz it around door frames, window ledges, or corners where spiders are likely to enter.

"The only thing to watch out for is varnished or polished surfaces, as vinegar can dull the finish over time."

White vinegar can be a simple solution to deter spiders from entering your home, and it's safe to use indoors due to its non-toxic nature.

In addition to white vinegar, peppermint oil is another natural deterrent for spiders.

Simply soak some cotton wool balls in the essential oil and place them around potential spider entry points such as windowsills, door frames or cracks in walls or flooring.

"Peppermint oil emits a strong scent which repels spiders," explained Robert Collins, pest control expert at MyJobQuote.

He advised: "Add 15 to 20 drops of peppermint oil to a spray bottle with water and spritz this in any areas where you've noticed spiders in the home."