Households are being urged to take some easy steps and use chalk around the bed to help keep unwanted pests at bay.
Spiders seek shelter in our homes for mating and protection against the colder, wetter months ahead.
As a result, millions of Brits fear spiders and are constantly looking for ways to keep them at bay.
Now, UK households are being advised to stock up on common spider deterrents, such as chalk and lavender.
Big spider season has started @keswickbootco pic.twitter.com/s3c0hUyhBh
— globetrottinggrandad (@globetrottingg2) August 25, 2025
How do I keep spiders out of my home?
One popular method shared every year involves using chalk. Yep, that's right.
This is believed to work because spiders taste with their feet, and they're not keen on walking over strong or unpleasant flavours they dislike, such as chalk.
In 2023, stationery chain Ryman's reported a surge in chalk sales, as more people snapped up the common household item in an attempt to deter spiders.
Chloe Danskin, Head of Marketing at Ryman, told the Irish Mirror at the time: "It's both unexpected and amazing to see chalk being embraced as an effective, and affordable, spider repellent. Our range of chalk products, from traditional white to colourful alternatives, is flying off the shelves as homeowners take proactive measures to keep their homes spider-free."
Should chalk prove ineffective, there are alternative methods, including spraying lavender oil, rubbing citrus peel or applying citrus oil, or using eucalyptus oil - all scents that spiders refuse to cross.
Pest UK explained: "Strong smells are a natural way to deter spiders from entering your home. Smells such as lemon, lime, oranges, anything with a strong citrus aroma, help repel spiders.
"Also, eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, or peppermint oil. Vinegar is another strong scent to help repel spiders, but most people aren't too keen on vinegar lingering around their homes. Rub or spray around window sills and doors with these scents to help prevent spiders from entering."
According to Pest UK, conkers are an 'old wives' tale,' and there's no firm evidence that this works.
They added: "An old wives' tale tells that apparently, spiders don't like conkers. While there's no evidence to back this up a row of conkers on the window sill still makes a festive autumn decoration."
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