Repel Spiders with This Kitchen Item

While many species of spiders can be helpful, most of us don’t want to see them scurrying around our homes. Unfortunately, it’s not difficult for them to get inside and set up shop, potentially laying eggs and creating a major problem. Thankfully, there’s something you can do to repel spiders safely and effectively—use citrus!

Most of us have a lemon laying around more often than not, but almost any citrus fruit can do the trick.

So, why do lemons, limes, and oranges deter spiders, and how can you get the most out of them?

To humans, most citrus scents are pleasant. We use them in cleaning, and in simmer pots to emulate cozy vibes, and there’s nothing like the smell of a freshly-baked lemon loaf to get you in the mood for spring.

But, while we might enjoy the smell of citrus, spiders don’t like it. In fact, they tend to steer clear of almost any strong acidic scents. Because citrus fruits are acidic, they are great for naturally keeping spiders away.

It’s probably not enough to just keep a decorative bowl of unpeeled oranges on your kitchen counter. Rather, you can get the most out of citrus’ natural scent by making a spray.

Slice up the peel of oranges, lemons, limes, or grapefruits into chunks and place them in a pot. Pour a cup of boiling water over the peels and let them steep overnight.

The next day, strain the liquid, and 1/4 cup of witch hazel, and carefully pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Then, you can simply spray it around areas of your home where you frequently see spiders. Or, spray the entrances to your home—including windows—to deter them from coming in.

You can create an even simpler solution by combining a cup of water with the juice of half a lemon and adding it to a spray bottle, then spraying the same spider-prone areas. The more concentrated the scent, the better, as spiders will smell it from further away and steer clear of your home.

There’s some debate as to just how effective citrus is when it comes to keeping spiders away. But, it can’t be denied that arachnids don’t like strong acidic scents. So, if you’re looking for a safe and natural way to keep spiders away, trying one of these citrus solutions is worth a shot. You probably already have everything on hand, and it’ll make your home smell great (at least, to humans)!