While we're not exactly afraid of spiders, we don't need them as a house guest.
We've all come across the little tiny arachnids that invade our home and, the majority of the time, they are easily ushered outside using the dustpan and brush (it's bad luck to kill them, after all).
Scientists in America have discovered that by mixing peppermint and water together, it will encourage your eight-legged friends to stay as far away from your house as possible.
If your house is a welcoming spot for those unwanted pests, they suggest that mixing the two substances will force spiders in the opposite directions.
You are advised to vacuum and dust your home of any existing webs from previous spiders before applying the mix.
The two-part solution is made by adding 20 drops of peppermint oil to a spray bottle of water which makes it easy to cover your house.
While spraying this all around the house, it is advised to cover any small corners of the house where they have been known to pop out from.
This spray prevents the bugs from being harmed and instead encourages the spiders to relocate to the less congested and smelly location of the garden.
You’ll have to apply spider-repellent spray more often than conventional insecticides. Try applying once a week at first and if the spiders reappear before the week is up, try spraying every few days.
If you want to double up your chances of keeping the whole vicinity of your house spider-free, having peppermint plants around the outskirts of your house will make sure that the area is a no go.
Avoid spraying your whole house at once with the mixture. Keep your windows open for fresh air as inhaling large doses of peppermint oil can result in side effects such as nausea, confusion and muscle weakness.