Cleaning influencer Chantel Mila has shared a homemade spray recipe which she says helps repel spiders and dust mites.
As autumn arrives, numerous troublesome household pests reach their busiest periods. While rats and mice are fairly obvious, there are two offenders that often go unnoticed – spiders and dust mites.
Although most British spiders are harmless, dust mites, which belong to the arachnid family, can cause greater problems.
Dust mites may seem like a minor issue, given they’re only 0.3mm in size, but they could actually be responsible for why you’re feeling under the weather.
If you’ve been suffering from coughing, congestion, and sneezing, your home could be hosting these unwanted seasonal guests. What you believed was hay fever could actually be something entirely different.
While these pests live in homes throughout the year, their populations surge during this season. Autumn marks spider mating season, and dust mite numbers multiply during this time as homes grow warmer and more humid when people begin switching the heating on.
Though maintaining a clean and tidy home can help deter spiders and dust mites, it’s not always the most efficient approach.
Posting on their TikTok page @mama_mila_, cleaner Chantel Mila has revealed her preferred technique for “repelling” spiders and dust mites from bedrooms.
She captioned the video: “Say goodbye to spiders and dust mites in your bedroom. This mix is my go-to to leave your room bug-free and smelling amazing.”
Chantel explained that all you require is one cup of water, half a cup of white vinegar and a few drops of either peppermint or lavender oil.
White vinegar is a highly adaptable natural cleanser and an effective repellent against spiders and dust mites. Its sharp, acidic odour drives them away and discourages them from coming back.
The most potent ingredient is the essential oil. Peppermint and lavender are fragrances that can completely overwhelm spiders and dust mites.
It leaves spiders feeling disorientated and impair their ability to locate other insects to feed on, making them far less inclined to remain in your home.
Peppermint oil is rich in menthol and menthone – two compounds that dust mites simply cannot tolerate. These natural substances are harmful to dust mites, so they will avoid any bedding or furniture that has been treated with it.
How to deter spiders and dust mites in autumn
Begin by taking a spray bottle and filling it with one cup of water, half a cup of vinegar and several drops of peppermint or lavender oil.
While the ingredients are combining in the bottle, vacuum your mattress before applying the solution generously. Chantel pointed out, “This powerful mix can be used on your mattress, bedhead and bedsides to repel spiders and dust mites.”
Spray the solution liberally around doorways, windows, darker corners and along the skirting boards throughout your home. Reapply every few weeks or so, and you’ll maintain a reliable barrier that helps keep dust and unwanted pests well away.
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