As the summer draws to a close and the temperatures begin to drop, the UK has started to witness an increase of spiders and daddy-long legs within their homes.
With searches for ‘how to get rid of daddy long legs’ spiking by 121% in the past month and there being 115,000 searches for ‘daddy long legs’, online home store, Wayfair UK has shared their top tips for minimising the presence of daddy long legs in your home and garden this autumn.
FIVE ways to minimise daddy long legs in your home
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Pay attention to corners
Keeping your home clean during ‘daddy long legs season’ can help reduce the chances of these long-legged visitors popping up unexpectedly this autumn. By dusting, cleaning, and vacuuming regularly, you’ll be able to keep an eye on the spots where they love to hide. Make sure to focus on areas like behind furniture and in the corners of rooms, as these are favourite hangouts for daddy long legs!
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Close all windows and doors
One of the simplest ways to keep daddy long legs out of your home is by making it harder for them to get in. As the weather cools, they’re drawn to warm, bright spaces, making our homes the perfect spot for them.
To reduce the chances of them making an unexpected stay, try limiting their entry points. Keeping windows and doors closed, especially at night, not only helps keep your home cosy but also stops those daddy long legs from sneaking in!
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Dim your lights
Daddy long legs are drawn to light, which is why they often head for our homes. To keep them at bay, try reducing the amount of light inside. Dimming your lights, using smaller lamps instead of the main light, or keeping curtains and blinds closed can help stop them from being attracted to your home.
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Make a natural repellent
Essential oils are a fantastic way to keep insects like daddy long legs away, thanks to their strong, natural scents! Peppermint, lavender, and tea tree oils make excellent and affordable repellents to help keep your home daddy long legs-free.
To make your own natural spray, just add 10-20 drops of any of these oils to a spray bottle filled with water. Then, spray it around your home, focusing on doors, windows, dark corners, and areas where you’ve spotted daddy long legs before – it’s an easy, budget-friendly solution!
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Clean up your garden to save your lawn
During the summer and autumn, daddy long legs can lay up to 300 eggs in your garden, as they love the damp grass and soil. Their larvae, called leatherjackets, can take up to a year to hatch and sometimes cause damage to lawns.
By regularly tidying up and caring for your garden throughout the summer and autumn, you can help create less inviting conditions for them and keep your lawn in great shape!