Drivers urged to put lemon peels in cars in September and October

Drivers across the UK are being urged to put lemon peels inside their cars this September and October to deter spiders.

Spider season is officially underway in the UK which sees the eight-legged creatures creep indoors in search of shelter and a mate. The season typically kicks off in early September and lasts until around mid-October or early November, after which spiders retreat into hiding for the winter. While spiders are most commonly spotted scuttling around your home, your car can also provide a nice warm place for them to shelter so it’s worth putting some deterrents in place to help keep them out.

Car expert Lee Caroline, from car scrap company LJC Autospares, warns that drivers who are distracted by a spider in their vehicle while behind the wheel could be landed with a fine up to £1,000 for driving without due care and attention. This fine could rise up to £2,500 for careless driving if the distraction leads to an accident, with drivers also facing up to nine penalty points on their licence.

To avoid this problem, drivers are urged to make use of natural deterrents in their cars during spider season this September and October, including placing lemon peels around their vehicle.

Spiders have a very sensitive sense of smell and don’t like strong aromas, especially citrus fruits like lemon. As such, drivers can utilise this by placing lemon peels around their car, such as on the dashboard or on the floor, or make a homemade spray solution from the peels to spritz throughout your vehicle.

Experts suggest soaking lemon peels in boiling water, along with a few drops of essential oil, and leaving this overnight before transferring it into a spray bottle.

If you don’t have any lemons to hand you can also use orange, grapefruit or lime peels, and introduce some other strong smelling aromas that spiders dislike, such as tea tree, peppermint or cinnamon.

Lee explains: “Spiders are put off by certain potent scents, so introducing aromas like citrus, peppermint, and tea tree into your car's interior through an air freshener may help deter them. Another scent spiders hate is cinnamon, so placing cinnamon-scented air fresheners or regular sticks in your car can also be an effective solution.

"Keeping your car clean both inside and out is important for deterring spiders and getting rid of the insects they feed on, such as flies. Spiders will naturally gravitate towards dark, sheltered spaces, which include any discarded bags, wrappers and cartons you might have lying around.

"Leftover food can attract insects, which in turn attract spiders. When cleaning the interior, white vinegar can serve as an effective cleaner and repellent."

Experts also recommend cleaning the air vents in your car and to check the seals around your windows, as these can serve as entry points for spiders.

Lee adds: “It's easy to forget, but a car's air vents can be a major spider hotspot and should be cleaned regularly. The rubber seals around windows and boots might also be a potential weak point for spiders to get in, particularly if they're perished or broken.

“The good news is that these seals are relatively inexpensive to replace. Also, make sure your windows are fully rolled up, as even the smallest gap is enough to invite spiders inside.

"If a spider does appear, the most important thing is to stay calm and keep both hands on the wheel to maintain control of the vehicle. If it's safe to do so, find a place to pull over and remove the spider without putting yourself or others at risk."