6 WAYS to SHOO spiders

Arachnid-friendly tips to deal with unwelcome visitors

1 fix ANY HOLES & cracks Start with the basics to keep creepies where they belong – in the garden. Check for gaps under kitchen units and where plumbing pipes come into the house.

DO SOME CLEANING Spiders feast on the sort of small creatures who enjoy your leftover or spilt food. So, no crumbs = fewer pests.

…AND TIDYING Less clutter means nowhere for the little blighters to hide. Clear out and dust under beds and sofas and behind wardrobes.

REMOVE Plants from Your Walls Arachnids enjoy hanging out in foliage, but move indoors when it gets cooler. So cut back ivy and climbers on your exterior walls.

KEEP OUTDOOR lights Off While not attracted to the light themselves, spiders devour many of the smaller insects that are. Switch off and you’ll be less likely to be surprised by one.

use SOME SCENTED Oils Insects can’t abide the smell of peppermint, so soak cotton wool with the oil. Or try tea tree, citrus and eucalyptus.