Keep out daddy long legs with simple kitchen cupboard mixture

We've arrived at that period when daddy long-legs begin invading our homes once again. The surge in encounters occurs because September marks breeding season for crane flies, commonly known as daddy long-legs. Their desperate attempts to access our households stem from indoor lighting, which serves as a guiding signal offering refuge during the approaching darker months.

While completely harmless, their awkward behaviour and habit of flying directly into faces swiftly makes them unwelcome visitors. You might already be used to dealing with spiders during this period, yet daddy long-legs possess flight capabilities making them trickier to catch. To assist you during this crane fly breeding period, here are specialist-endorsed techniques for maintaining a pest-free household, including one trick that uses an item you probably already have in your kitchen cupboard.

"Daddy long-legs tend to be most active at night and often sneak into the home through open windows or back doors," says Hudson Lambert, pest control expert at NOPE!, according to Woman and Home.

"They do this for two reasons: firstly, as we approach the cooler weather of autumn, they are more enticed to enter the home in search of light and heat; secondly, it's mating season in September, so if you find them in your home its probably because they are looking for a mate - particularly as your garden matches their natural habitat, as they usually mate in grassland soil."

The best method to avoid an invasion of daddy long-legs in your home is prevention, akin to strategies used against mosquitoes. However, this often means keeping windows firmly closed, which isn't always practical during warmer weather or when trying to freshen up indoor air.

"The only real way to stop them coming into the home is to keep windows and doors shut or use fly screens to prevent entering," says Sarah Beck, operation manager at The Pest Master. "They are a non-target when it comes to pest control so it is not something we typically treat," she adds, noting that unlike wasps, which can sting, daddy long-legs don't warrant the same level of pest control.

Nevertheless, Sarah suggests a homemade concoction reputed to repel these creatures. "A blend of white vinegar and vanilla extract, 1 cup vinegar to 1/2 cup vanilla in a spray bottle, is good for keeping daddy long-legs away."

She advises spraying this mixture generously around windows to discourage them from venturing inside. The potency of vanilla extract can effectively neutralise the smell of vinegar, leaving your home smelling pleasant.

"Garlic also works quite well," suggests Hudson. "Try mixing it with water and storing it in a spray bottle to create a potent homemade repellent. Apply it directly to entry points, such as windows or doors, to make your home less appealing."