OT ants

spiders dont like new environments. clean your windowsill and put a mothball on the corner of it. should work. they hate the smell.

i liked the bayleaf solution. i gotta try that.

amy in CNY

I've read that whole cloves work with ants. Maybe they also work at keeping spiders away. Barbara in SC, but gonna be in FL soon where we also have ant problems from October to September.

Apparently spiders don't like lemon much, I've a book that suggests rubbing a lemon peel around areas where you don't want spiders.

my aunt says clean the sills then sprinkle a powder there. doesn't much matter which kind - talc, borax, chalk, whatever you have on hand other than powdered sugar (cause then the ants will come back). She said that spiders and roaches get the powder stuck on themselves and suffocate?

Mum says for the grease/sugar ants use sweet and low and they will go away.

they both have seemed to work so far.

It seemed to me that the lemon peel might be a good start so I've placed some on the window sill. If the spider attempts to tie it down with a web we'll know to go to Plan B. Oh how I hope that works. Wouldn't that be lovely? Polly

Sticky type of mouse trap, preferably the sort that lays flat, placed where he walks. Catches them every time. Also a vacuum cleaner works.

Sprays sprayed on surfaces don't work on spiders because they only let their tip toes touch a surface so not enough of the poison gets into their system.

Now, if only I knew where my ants were coming in I could place some bay leaves at their entry point too. Maybe I'll just leave them all over the counter. Uh, the bay leaves, not the ants. Debra in VA See my quilts at:

Polly, I read somewhere that "Osage oranges," whatever they are, repel spiders. I, personally, can recommend Irish Spring soap. A few years ago I bought a big package of it at Sam's Club, put boxes in all the corners and behind furniture and in the closets and cabinets, and have had very little problem with spiders indoors ever since. It doesn't smell bad, and after a while I couldn't smell it any more but apparently the spiders could.

YMMV

I'll put it at the top of my shopping list, Carolyn. I haven't the remotest idea why it would work - but I don't understand why ants think bay leaves are disgusting either. DH has an ongoing battle with spiders trying to tie down his tractor at his shop. I think I'll "Spring" it and see what happens. Polly

"Carolyn McCarty" Polly, I read somewhere that "Osage oranges," whatever they are, repel

Thanks Carolyn, I think I will give it a try! Barbara in SC

Spiders: next? I tried artfully placing lemon peels on the kitchen window sill to see if they would discourage the spider's determination to establish residence. This morning, I see that he has firmly anchored the peels down so they won't be disturbed. I'm thinking the next trick to be tried is to coat the spider's chosen corner with powder. There's some baby powder here I could try. If it doesn't deter Mr. Spider, at least he will smell like a sissy. Polly

I have heard that mint leaves are a good deterant as well. As long as you are going through your spice cabinet and all.

AliceW in NJ

I just googled for spider repellants and "they" said to use eucalyptus leaves or lemon pledge. The other suggestions were to get a cat or an electronic pest repellant device which of course would drive the cat crazy as well. I'd go with the leaves and pledge first.

AliceW

I have some cheap ones from WalMart and I still get some spiders.... but I believe I have fewer spiders than before the electronic thingies. All of the electronic pest devices that I've seen say that they do not effect pets except for the rodent types- hamsters, gerbils, etc. They don't bother The HairyButt Gang but they make a soft clicking noise- I seldom notice it any more, but then I live .5 miles from the railroad tracks and I seldom hear the trains any more, either! LOL

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Polly: If it is any consolation, MSM used to say "Spiders only visit CLEAN houses!" PAT in VA/USA

I think you've got to rub the lemon peel around the area, it's probably the oil in the peel they're not supposed to like.

Wonder if those electronic things would work to keep the squirrels, rabbits, and chipmunks out of the planters on my patio??? Hmmm...

Julia > I have some cheap ones from WalMart and I still get some spiders.... but I

A vacuum can "accidentally" get a spider or three, four, five.......... Debra in VA See my quilts at: