A TikToker has shared a life-changing 'hack' for anyone scared of spiders, and it uses just a couple of cheap household products. Watch below:
With summer drawing to a close, we're now in the very dodgy territory of spider mating season, which usually kicks off in the first two weeks of September and ends in early October.
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During this time, we're more likely to see our eight-legged friends dashing around in the hopes of finding a partner - which is great news for any arachnids fed up of swiping right, but not so brilliant for the terrified humans they'll no doubt encounter.
But one TikToker thinks she has an answer, and all you need is some peppermint oil, water and a spray bottle.
Posting the 'spider hack' online, Heather White (@sour_patch_chick95) said: "For all of you that do not like spiders, this is a hack.
"You can put peppermint oil and water in a spray bottle. Spray it on the outside of doors, window frames - they'll stay out of your house."
After being posted a couple of years ago, the post has racked up more than 226,000 views and 22,000 likes, along with hundreds of comments from people vowing to give it a go - or backing the idea after trying it out already.
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"It works!!!" one person wrote, adding: "First apartment I've had with no bug problem and the reviews on this place were all about bugs. I did this and I'm going to assume it worked."
Another said: "I did this, and it definitely worked."
In a reply to another user, who asked if the oil wouldn't 'just float on top' of the water, Heather added: "Shake before spraying."
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When someone else asked her if it also works on ants, she said: "A lot of bugs! It also kills on contact!"
According to Country Living, to try the method out you should start by vaccuming and dusting your home before to get rid of any pre-existing webs.
After mixing the two-part solution by adding 20 drops of peppermint oil to a bottle, spray the solution around the house, especially in corners, before repeating once a week - or every few days if you spot any spiders.
A 2017 study, published in the Journal of Economic Entomology, also backed the idea, with the authors concluding that 'volatiles released by mint oil' may be 'effective in deterring spider settlement', adding that lemon oil appears to have 'no effect'.
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Of course, if you have pets, you may need to come up with a different idea, as essential oils can be harmful to some animals.
BetterPet explains: "For humans, peppermint oil has been shown to aid digestion and relieve headaches, muscle pain, and itching. Its mild antibacterial and antifungal properties have shown it effective in some studies against some bacteria.
"Unfortunately, your dog won't get those same benefits because peppermint oil is widely believed to be toxic for pets."
Featured Image Credit: PixabayTopics: Hack, World News, News, Spiders, TikTok