How to Use Hedge Apples to Control Spiders

Hedge apples are the fruit of the Osage orange tree, which is native to southern Oklahoma and northern Texas. Hedge apples are not poisonous, but they are an effective repellent against insects and spiders. Using hedge apples to control your spider population is an easy, chemical-free pest-control option. If you do not have access to a hedge apple tree, the fruit can be purchased at grocery stores and farmers' markets.

Hedge Apples To Control Spiders

Commonly known as hedge apples, the fruits of the Osage orange tree (Maclura pomifera) supposedly have spider-repelling properties that border on magic. Given that spiders willingly weave their webs on Osage orange trees and on hedge apples themselves, it seems unlikely that the fruit repels spiders. The repellent properties came from compounds inside the fruit, however, and were ineffective when the fruit remained whole. The Osage orange simply isn't an effective or practical pest control method. To use them as spider repellent, slice the fruit to release the chemicals contained within and lay the fruit slices around your home's foundation or in your basement. In addition to hedge apples, an internet search for natural spider repellents will turn up thousands of results claiming that chestnuts naturally repel spiders as will peppermint oil and lemon oil. Although lemon oil and hedge apples may fail you, there are effective ways to reduce the number of spiders who visit your home. You can also reduce your spider population by removing the plants and foliage from your home's foundation. If you're concerned about using dangerous chemical deterrents, let him know when you speak to him.