How to Keep Spiders Out of Your Bedroom

You may have everything in order for a great night’s sleep: a comfy bed, fresh sheets, a Feng Shui interior, in bed at a good time, etc. But, there’s one thing that’s out of your control and proving to be a bit of a pest – giant house spiders.

Particularly after wet, humid weather during the end of summer/beginning of autumn, you may find that these amorous arachnids will enter your home. Although UK spiders are relatively harmless (some can nip but they’re not poisonous!), they can cause major discomfort and be a fear for many people.

Natural spider repellents, using certain oils, and keeping your space clean are just some of the ways to prevent spiders from invading your area. Read on to discover how to keep spiders away from your bed.

Do spiders come near you when you sleep?

You may have heard of the saying that ‘we swallow an average of eight spiders a year while asleep’ but is this factual or a myth? You’ll be pleased to know that it’s not even close to being true.

According to an article for Scientific American, this is because ‘The myth flies in the face of both spider and human biology, which makes it highly unlikely that a spider would ever end up in your mouth… More than anything, spiders probably find sleeping humans terrifying.’

Even though spiders may not go near your mouth, it doesn’t mean they won’t enter your bedroom, especially after humid weather at the beginning of autumn. At this time of year, male spiders in the UK will seek out warm and dry places like our bedrooms in search of a female mate. Dr Chris Terrell-Nield said: “The males are up to 10cm across the leg span and can be the size of your hand…”. Yikes!

How to keep spiders away from your bed

From DIY hacks to natural repellents and professional help, we’ve put together a list of ways to keep those eight-legged friends at bay.

1. Plug-in spider repellents

These plug-ins work with ultrasonic sounds – that’s high-frequency noise that deters spiders and other insects but is silent to the human ear. Ultrasonic sound is thought to be discomforting for spiders and creepy crawlies, causing them to leave the room.

2. Essential oils

Peppermint is said to be the most effective essential oil for deterring spiders. You can simply mix several drops of it with some water in a spray bottle and spritz it around the room. Spiders really don’t like the smell, so they’ll vacate and steer clear. There’s also a trick of using soaked peppermint tea bags in the corners of your bedroom – this one is probably not so good for those of you with carpeted floors.

3. Cleaning Regularly

Spiders like to find warm, quiet places to hide and spin webs, so by regularly dusting and vacuuming, you’re less likely to find them getting comfy in your bedroom. Time to get your Hinch on.

4. Use a door sweep

Talking of doors, this is a simple spider-repellent trick that also doubles up as insulation. Install a door sweep on your bedroom door to minimise spiders and other insects from creeping underneath.

5. Avoid eating in bed

No matter how careful you are, the odd toast crumb is going to make it onto your bedsheets, and this will attract insects. Spiders will then be attracted to these insects and you’ll soon find yourself sharing your bed with creepy crawlies.

6. Keep your outside lights off

Any insects or bugs are attracted to light, making it a field day for spiders. By keeping your outside lights off, you’ll be less likely to attract any creepy crawlies through door cracks and open windows.

7. Call in an exterminator

This is not usually a requirement on British soil as we’re lucky enough to not have venomous spiders in the UK. However, we do have False Widow spiders, and these can bite. If you find yourself face to face with a False Widow, you can call in pest control to keep you and your family safe.

About the author

Letara Buckley

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