As temperatures rise in May, drivers can see more spiders in their cars, but a simple kitchen staple may help keep them away.
May marks the start of warmer weather, and that can mean an unwelcome problem for drivers: spiders showing up inside their cars. Getting rid of them can be surprisingly difficult because they often hide in small gaps and hard-to-reach areas. However, one common household item may help send them packing. Auto30 takes a closer look at how lemon peels can be used to discourage spiders from taking up residence in a vehicle.
Spiders tend to become more active in May as warmer temperatures encourage them to emerge from their winter dormancy.
Egg sacs left from previous seasons can also begin to hatch around this time, potentially leading to a noticeable increase in spider activity.
"During the winter, many spiders become less active or seek out sheltered places to rest. As spring arrives, they become more active," the report says.
One simple way to discourage spiders from sticking around is to use fresh lemon peels. They can be placed on the dashboard or on the floor of the vehicle.
"Spiders have a very sensitive sense of smell and tend to dislike strong scents, particularly citrus fragrances such as lemon," experts say.
Orange, grapefruit and lime peels can also be used as alternatives.
If you don't want pieces of lemon peel sitting around inside your car, you can make a homemade spray that may work just as well.
Simply soak lemon peels in boiling water with a few drops of essential oil and leave the mixture overnight. The next day, pour it into a spray bottle and lightly apply it around the vehicle's interior.
Other strong scents may also help discourage spiders, so a regular air freshener is another option. Look for fragrances such as citrus, peppermint, tea tree or cinnamon. Besides potentially making the interior less appealing to spiders, it can leave your car smelling fresher.