Autumn means crisp air, wet weather and falling leaves, but it's also the time of year when spiders tend to flock indoors.
One place you definitely don't want them is inside your lease car – especially as they won't be paying any petrol money . . .
Luckily, there are a few simple ways to help keep them at bay.
We'll be giving you the best tips on the 'web'.
Check Your Parking
They say the apple never falls far from the tree.
And neither does the spider . . .
Yep, they (and their prey) can often be found in trees, so avoid parking under trees if you can. Same goes with long grass and bushes.
Or if you have to park in those kinds of spots, close your windows to lower the chance of them coming in (not saying they won't find a way though!). And avoid well-lit areas, because like all creepy crawlies, spiders are attracted to light at night.
You could also park out in the sun in the hope that the heat will 'take care' of any 8-legged friends, but try not to keep your car there for too long or else you risk scorching the interior.
Keep Your Car Clean
Of course, the best way to fight any problem is to prevent it before it even starts.
We all like food, spiders included . . . so give your car a good regular clean and get rid of any rubbish and food crumbs lying around to make things less inviting for them. Give it a good vacuum too, making sure to get in at all the nooks and crannies.
Also, our spidey friends LOVE hiding in dark places, so leaving clothes, empty bags or food wrappers around your car will only serve as a further invitation for them to hitch a ride.
The sun visors rarely get used during the autumn and winter months, and spiders love to hide there, so check up on them at regular intervals and keep them clean.
And don't overlook the outside of your car. It too needs to be inspected regularly and kept clean. You'll that the wing mirrors attract spiders, with webs stretching between the mirrors and car doors. Clean these areas using a brush, but avoid pressure washing as this could damage your car's electrical system.
Bottom line: don't give spiders an excuse to come in your car!
How Long Can a Spider Live in Your Car?
Probably longer than you thought . . .
If it wanted to, a spider could live out its entire life in your car so long as there's sufficient food and the temperature doesn't exceed 43°C.
Which is a scary thought considering that the average lifespan of a spider is 1 to 3 years – though some can live up to as long as 7 years!
Even if there isn't any food in your vehicle, most car spiders can still live there for over a month before dying.
Make a Protective Web: Use Spider Repellents
Attack is the best form of defence, so sometimes you've just got to play dirty.
Spiders hate the scents from essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender and tea tree, which is good news for you, as you can use them as natural repellents to prevent car spiders.
To make them into a spray, it's a simple case of getting a spray bottle and mixing approximately 200ml of water with 5 drops of one of the above oils and a few drops of detergent. Then simply spray throughout the car, particularly in hard-to-get places where spiders might hide. (Or if that sounds like too much work, you can also purchase ready-made commercial spider repellents from stores.)
You could also soak some cotton balls in one of these essential oils and position them around the car. Not only will they deter spiders, but your car will also smell nice as a result. Remember to refresh them and change them around once a week in order to keep them working effectively. (Alternatively, dried citrus peels or cedar wood chunks could also work.)
However, before you go ahead and apply any of these, it's best to make sure they’re safe for use inside your vehicle. So do a patch test to make sure your car's interior doesn't get damaged first.
Close the Car Securely: Check for Broken Seals Around Windows
Of course, spiders need to find a way to sneak into your lease vehicle in the first place, and one of the easiest ways in which spiders enter is through broken rubber seals and small cracks around a window, door frame or sunroof.
If there are any, better get them patched up. And make sure they're they're free of any dirt and debris that could cause them to be held in a more open position.
Keep Your Air Conditioning Vents Clean
Yet another of the places where you'll notice spiders love to hang out, so give every air conditioning vent a good wipe down and dusting to prevent the steady build-up of dust and grime.
Clean air vents are happy air vents.
What To Do If You See a Spider While You’re Driving?
Of course, it's easier said than done, but keep calm.
Seeing a spider mid-drive is never ideal, especially if you suffer from arachnophobia.
Yet going into a panic and driving erratically not only puts yourself in danger, but others too. Becoming distracted by one could also cost you money, because in a situation where you are responsible for causing a crash, you could also potentially find yourself with up to 9 penalty points on your license. Ouch . . .
Few of us like the idea of picking up car spiders, so when (if) it's not moving, use an object or a piece of paper to pick it up – or better yet, why not finally put that vehicle handbook to good use!
Oh, and best doing this when stationary and not in a moving vehicle! Find a safe place to pull over, like a parking space, a quiet road or lay-by.
Summary
Keeping spiders at bay can be a hard task, and whilst you might not like them, it's best to remember that they're pretty harmless and are probably clearing your car of other bugs (not that that's much consolation).
But if the thought of them still scares the living daylights out of you, then taking the above steps can help prevent spiders and lower the chance of them setting up home in your cosy lease car.
FAQs
What is the best spray for spiders in cars?
Ones using essential oils like peppermint, lavender and eucalyptus. To make into a spray, add 5 drops to about 200ml of water in a spray bottle along with a few drops of detergent, then spray throughout the car.
How do I stop spiders coming in my car?
Keeping your car clean and checking any seals on your windows and doors is always a good first step. But you could also spread natural scents like peppermint, cedar, lavender and eucalyptus, which spiders hate.
What are the most common spiders in cars?
Due to the size of the seals to get into a car, it's fairly uncommon to find larger spiders like tarantulas. Instead, you'll mostly come across the smaller breeds.