Overview

• A study reported in the Journal of Economic Entomology found volatiles from edible chestnuts and peppermint oil deter some spider species, refreshing long-standing household advice.
• Current coverage emphasizes prevention at entry points, noting the methods do not remove spiders already indoors.
• Reports distinguish edible chestnuts from horse chestnuts, advising lightly cracking and placing them at windows and thresholds because the odor fades and needs renewal.
• Peppermint oil can be used diluted on pads or as a spray near likely entry spots, whereas lemon oil showed no effect in the cited research.
• With evidence still limited and species-specific, experts recommend pairing scent barriers with vacuuming, sealing gaps, and reducing outdoor lighting that attracts insects.