How to keep spiders away as Northern Irish Redditor finds huge one in their home
In the UK and Ireland, there are more than 600 species of spider found, with just 12 of these types known to bite humans
It's spider season in Northern Ireland and many people may be wondering how to keep the creepy crawlies out of their homes as the temperature drops and these eight-legged creatures make their way into our homes.
House spiders love the warmth that homes offer, and right now we are entering the peak period of their activity, from late summer into early autumn.
Posting on Reddit, one person shared an image of a huge spider that had invaded their home in Northern Ireland, asking fellow Redditors for advice on which type of spider it could be.
In the UK and Ireland, there are more than 600 species of spider found, with just 12 of these types known to bite humans and none are poisonous but may be painful.
To help keep the spiders and other insects at bay and away from sneaking into your home, there are some handy tips you can follow. While there is no guarantee these tips will keep every single spider out of your home, they should help keep the numbers low.
Use strong smells as repellent
It turns out spiders aren't fans of strong smells, particularly citrus, peppermint, vanilla, lavender, rose, and cinnamon scents.
Add a few drops of your chosen scent into a spray bottle with some water, and use it as a spider repellent to spritz around your house, while making your rooms smell amazing too.
Turn lights off
Lights don't directly attract spiders to your home, but they do attract many other insects spiders love to snack on.
If you have both indoor and outdoor lights on a lot, you're likely to draw insects towards your home that spiders may then follow.
De-clutter your home
Spiders love a cluttered environment, as spots such as piles of laundry or stacks of toys left out provide lots of subtle hiding spots for them to enjoy.
One way to stop spiders and other insects from turning up so often is by keeping your home and garden tidy. In particular, pay attention to the area underneath your bed, as the dark and dusty environment is a favourite for arachnids.
Change up the colours in your home
You can stop spiders popping up so often by changing up the colours of your home. Spiders love the colour green, but absolutely despise the colour blue - light blue to be specific.
If your home is full of green tones, you might want to think about adding in some light blue additions into your rooms and garden to make creepy crawlies think twice before stopping by.
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