It’s daddy long leg season and they ‘multiply rapidly’ – but a £3 Amazon buy will keep them out of your home all autumn
IF your home has been invaded by daddy long legs, fear not, you’ve come to the right place.
There’s nothing worse than relaxing on the sofa on a chilled, cosy evening, only to spot a huge daddy long legs climbing up the walls.
It appears that many of us are now dealing with daddy long legs, also known as crane flies, inviting themselves into our homes.
The creepy crawlies, which begin to emerge around mid-August, are most common in September in the UK.
They seek warmth indoors as the weather cools and are brown with translucent wings and very long legs.
Males have a square-ended body, whilst female have a long, sharp-ended body with a stinger-like ‘tail’.
They are attracted to the light coming from our homes – but it turns out that a simple hack could stop them from entering for good.
Experts at D-Termination Pest Control claimed that daddy long legs prefer “dark and damp” environments, so they’re likely to be found in basements, attics and even bathrooms.
D-Termination Pest Control warned: “If left unchecked, insect eggs from these spiders can multiply rapidly and establish a large population within your living space.
“If they manage to reach your pantry or kitchen cabinets where food items are stored, they might contaminate them with their excrement or debris from their webs.”
But thanks to the experts, a pleasant smelling oil, which you can nab from Amazon for just £3, could be the trick to banishing these critters from your home this autumn.
One effective essential oil that acts as a great repellent is peppermint oil, as a result of its strong odour.
D-Termination Pest Control explained: “Certain scents are highly repulsive to these arachnids due to their sensitive olfactory receptors.
“Peppermint oil is particularly effective at repelling spiders due to its strong odour that they find displeasing.”
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The experts advised: “Mix 10 to 15 drops of peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle.
“Generously spritz it in areas where you’ve seen spiders or suspect their presence”.
If you fancy giving this trick a try, you can find peppermint oil in a variety of high-street wellness shops and supermarkets.
But if you need it fast, and cheap, you can order it for just £3 from Amazon, and will find it even cheaper on eBay.
It’s best to spray the peppermint oil on corners of the house, as well as baseboards, and entry points.
Alternative essential oils to consider include lavender, tea tree, or citrus oils, which are “known for their spider-deterring properties”.