It’s the time of year every arachnophobe dreads, and September 2024 will be no different for those afraid of spiders.
Spider season has already begun and in September it will peak, as eight legged creatures rush into British houses in search of an autumn fling or to start a family for next year.
Among all the many tips, tricks and hacks to keep spiders out of your house – from closing windows to using chalk or vinegar – there’s one that keeps coming up time and again.
Many spider fearing folk swear by conkers as a form of pest control.
They may have fallen a little out of fashion these days as kids play on their Fortnites and their Switches instead of tying string to conkers, but the horse chestnut seeds in their spiky cases can apparently deter spiders from coming into your house.
The Woodlands Trust explored this phenomenon as it stressed there is ‘no conclusive proof’ they repel spiders.
It said: “Unfortunately, there’s no conclusive proof that conkers repel spiders. The story goes that conkers contain a noxious chemical that spiders avoid, but no-one’s ever been able to scientifically prove it.
“There’s hearsay that if a spider gets close to a conker it will curl its legs up and die within one day. Others say spiders will happily crawl over conkers with no ill effects at all. Plenty of people swear by conkers for spider control.”
But even if they don’t end up repelling spiders, there’s another unwanted guest they’ll keep out of your house too: moths.
The ugly cousin of butterflies, the nocturnal winged things can cause havoc as they chew through your carefully curated cute co-ords – but a conker will send them packing.
The Woodlands Trust says: “If moths are munching their way through your winter wardrobe then conkers could be the answer.
“The horse chestnut seeds contain a chemical called triterpenoid saponin that wards off pesky pests. Place fresh conkers in among your clothes and as they dry out they emit the moth-repellent.”
