Gardeners urged to spray patios and paths with vinegar until November — and it’s not as strange as it sounds

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Spiders will hate this

Spraying white vinegar on path
(Image credit: Future)

If you’ve spotted an alarming number of spiders around your home, it can be unnerving to try and get rid of spiders. According to pest experts, ‘spider mating season’ is peak during the months of September until early November. Which is why people are being urged to take preventative measures this month.

Such eight-legged pests are notorious for creeping into our homes to escape the cold through windowsill cracks or tiny gaps, hiding in your home, and leaving unsightly cobwebs.

Luckily, there is a DIY repellent that you can easily make with a common cleaning ingredient found in many kitchens. All you need to do is spray this homemade solution on patios and paths to keep spiders at bay. What’s more, it’s cheap and will only take seconds to do. For more, see whether it's ok to squish spiders in your home and check out this sneaky favorite hiding spot for spiders in your home.

Banish spiders with white vinegar

Spider crawling on floor

Spider crawling on floor (Image credit: Shutterstock)

It seems like white vinegar can do so much more than cleaning and removing limescale, it also makes a great natural spider repellent. This is because spiders have a highly sensitive sense of smell, and the vinegar odor can overwhelm and confuse the chemoreceptors on their legs, which they use to sense their environment.

Experts recommend making a DIY solution of diluted white vinegar and water, before spraying around patios and paths. The idea is to literally stop spiders in their tracks, preventing them from entering through tiny cracks and gaps. The good thing is, white vinegar spray is non-toxic and safe to use inside the home too. Bear in mind, vinegar won't kill spiders, just makes them scurry away from your home.

“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.”

The peppermint oil method

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This pure peppermint oil is paraben free, and provides a fresh scent. Versatile to use in aromatherapy, or in an oil or reed diffuser. And while the fragrance is pleasant to our senses, it is also known to be a natural pest repellent.

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NOTE: Do NOT use peppermint oil if you have pets as this is toxic when inhaled or ingested.

Alternatively, experts advise people to soak cotton wool balls in peppermint essential oil, before putting them on windowsills or around door frames. Similarly, the strong fragrance will be too overpowering for such pests, and will keep them away.

Or you could try these 9 plants that repel spiders and keep them out of your home. Again, keep certain plants away from pets. You might also be interested in why do I have cobwebs but no spiders? and 5 common pest to look out for in the fall, including stink bugs.

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Cynthia Lawrence
Cynthia Lawrence
Content Editor, Homes

As the Homes Content Editor, Cynthia Lawrence covers all things homes, interior decorating, and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, ‘must-have’ home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy ‘how to’ features. 


Her work has been published in various titles including, T3, Top Ten Reviews, Ideal Home, Real Homes, Livingetc. and House Beautiful, amongst many.


With a rather unhealthy obsession for all things homes and interiors, she also has an interior design blog for style inspiration and savvy storage solutions (get rid of that clutter!). When she’s not testing cool products, she’ll be searching online for more decor ideas to spruce up her family home or looking for a great bargain!


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