In October and November, which are the breeding seasons for many spiders due to being autumn, experts recommend placing orange peels in your car during this period to drive away these annoying arachnids. This is to prevent them from affecting driving safety and potentially causing accidents.
According to a report by the UK’s Daily Express, spiders can enter indoor spaces through any cracks and crevices they can find, and not only will you find them at home, but the warm interiors of cars can also become their comfortable hideouts.
Lee Caroline, an automotive expert from the UK’s car recycling company LJC Autospares, warns that drivers who become distracted by spiders while driving may face fines, and if such distraction leads to an accident, penalties can be even more severe.
To avoid this situation, drivers can use natural insect repellents inside their cars during the remaining time of the spider breeding season in October and November, such as placing orange peels around the car.
Spiders have a keen sense of smell and dislike strong scents, especially citrus fruits like oranges. Hence, taking advantage of this knowledge, you can place orange peels around the car, whether on the dashboard, the floor, or create a spray using orange peels and spray it inside the car.
Caroline explains, “Certain strong smells can deter spiders, so using air fresheners with scents like citrus, mint, and tea tree inside the car may help to repel them. Another scent spiders don’t like is cinnamon, so using a cinnamon-scented air freshener or cinnamon sticks inside the car can be an effective solution.”
He adds, “Keeping both the interior and exterior of the car clean is crucial for driving away spiders and eliminating the insects they rely on for survival, such as flies. Spiders are naturally drawn to dark and secluded places, like scattered plastic bags, wrapping paper, and cardboard boxes.”
He mentions that leftover food can attract insects, which, in turn, attract spiders. When cleaning the car interior, white vinegar can be an effective cleaner and insect repellent.
Caroline further emphasizes the importance of cleaning the car’s air vents and checking the seals around the windows. He says, “Although easy to overlook, car air vents could be a primary activity spot for spiders and should be cleaned regularly. The rubber seals around the windows and trunk could also be potential weak points for spider invasion, especially when they are deteriorated or damaged.”
He adds, “The good news is that the replacement cost for these seals is relatively low. Also, ensure that the car windows are fully closed, as even the smallest gap is enough for spiders to enter the car.”
If you happen to encounter a spider while driving, what should you do? Caroline advises, “If a spider does appear, the most important thing is to stay calm, keep both hands on the steering wheel, and maintain control of the vehicle. If safe to do so, find a place to park and, without endangering yourself or others, remove the spider.”
Besides being useful to repel spiders inside cars, orange peels have many other uses in daily life, such as nurturing plant seedlings or serving as plant fertilizers. This is because orange peels contain nutrients like phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium, which can nourish plants. So, after eating an orange, don’t rush to throw away the peel.
In conclusion, while spiders can be unwelcome guests in cars, simple measures like using orange peels and maintaining cleanliness can help deter them, ensuring a safer and spider-free driving experience. So, the next time you enjoy an orange, consider giving its peel a new purpose before discarding it.