Spiders won't go near bathrooms if 1 item is put in your bath every night

Spider season is here, which means homes up and down the country will likely experience a sudden increase in spider sightings. Whether they're hiding under sofas, crawling up plug holes, or building webs in corners, these creepy crawlies will likely be hanging around until mid-October. While spiders can often be spotted scuttling across floors or in dark, quiet, and cluttered areas of the home, bathrooms are a particular hotspot.

High humidity, water sources, easy entry points, and a steady source of food from insects like drain flies and mosquitoes make bathrooms ideal for spiders. Bathrooms also tend to be quieter than other areas of the home, which means spiders can potentially remain undisturbed for weeks at a time.

Deterring spiders from bathrooms can be difficult, especially if you're leaving your windows open to ventilate the room.

Laura Harnett, founder of eco cleaning brand, Seep, has shared a simple method to deter spiders from coming up plug holes and settling in your bathroom.

The cleaning expert suggested adding white vinegar to your weekly shopping list. Not only does it deter spiders, but it can also be used in place of other harsh chemical cleaning products.

She said: "My family and I all dread looking in the bath in the morning and seeing enormous house spiders there!

"One of the best ways to stop them is to keep the plugs in the bath and sink closed at night and pour a small amount of white vinegar on top of the plug hole. Alternatively, use a reusable spray bottle to spray it over the plug."

Despite conkers being a common "deterrent" for spiders, this is actually an old wives' tale that could do more harm than good.

Laura explained: "There's an old wives' tale that spiders don't like conkers, but that doesn't work and risks bringing in mould spores and further risk of damp into the house.

"If the smell of vinegar is off putting, then a few drops of a peppermint or lemon essential oil wiped around the plug hole will also work."

Spiders don't like white vinegar as it's highly acidic with a strong pungent odour which can overwhelm their senses.

If you don't want to use vinegar, there are several plants that spiders dislike, including lavender and basil.

Peppermint oil, tea tree and citrus scents are also unpleasant for the pests.