Overview
- Provisional NHS figures obtained via FOI show 100 hospital admissions for spider contact in 2025, up from 47 in 2015 in England.
- Shield Pest Control’s Daniel Steward recommends a white vinegar and water spray and strong scents such as garlic, peppermint, and cinnamon, noting spiders sense smells through their legs.
- He outlines a budget option by steeping 5–6 crushed garlic cloves in water overnight to make a spray, with garlic bulbs priced at about 21p each at Sainsbury’s.
- He advises removing egg sacs and webs with a broom or handheld vacuum, using a dehumidifier, reducing clutter, and sealing gaps around windows and doors to cut indoor spider numbers.
- Coverage also cites reports of rising false widow populations in Britain and warns that folk fixes like conkers lack solid evidence, with professional help suggested if infestations escalate.