Keep insects away from your home in spring by putting 1 item on windowsill

Insects are more active in spring as the weather warms up and we open our windows – but one common item can help stop them from wandering into your home

This hack could keep insects out of your home this spring.

Spring is the ideal season to fling open your windows and allow fresh air to circulate throughout your home, but it does come with one significant downside — you’re almost certainly going to let insects in as well. Plants are shooting up, flowers are blossoming, animals are emerging from hibernation, and all manner of bugs are making their presence felt once more. From bees and butterflies to spiders and flies, countless creepy crawlies are becoming active now that temperatures are no longer freezing.

While these insects play an essential role in our ecosystem, the vast majority of us would rather not find them crawling around our homes. And given that we’re far more inclined to open windows and doors to let fresh air in during spring and summer, insects have considerably more opportunity to sneak inside.

However, according to a home hacks expert on social media, there’s a simple trick that can send insects scurrying away from your home rather than towards it.

Rachael Eppley posted a video on Instagram in which she revealed that you can keep insects, particularly spiders, at bay by positioning one everyday kitchen ingredient near your windows and doors.

She recommended placing cinnamon sticks or star anise between your window seals, along your windowsills, and across your doorways. This will deter spiders, who cannot stand the scent, but it can also prove effective against ants, fruit flies, and even rodents such as mice.

Rachael explained: “Spiders become a lot more active in the springtime, which means you’re about to start seeing a lot more of them inside. But they don’t like cinnamon, clove or star anise, so if you place them by window seals and doorways, it will stop them from coming inside.”

Viewers responding to Rachael’s video expressed their gratitude for sharing the tip. Many admitted they’d never thought of it previously, while some pest control professionals described it as “awesome” advice.

One viewer commented: “Thank you so much! I have severe arachnophobia, and I live alone.”

Another responded: “Glad to know there are kind ways to keep spiders out of the house. Personally, though, I love them.”

While a third contributed: “As a pest technician, this is awesome.”

So will you be trying out this budget-friendly household tip? If cinnamon isn’t something you fancy having near your windows, we’ve put together some additional useful suggestions below.

How to keep insects out of your home

1) Block entry points

• Seal gaps: Use silicone/caulk around window frames, skirting-board gaps, pipe entry points, and cracks in masonry.
• Fit door sweeps/brush strips: Especially on front/back doors and any side entrances.
• Repair screens: If you have window/door insect screens, patch holes and ensure tight edges.
• Cover vents and chimneys properly: Fine mesh over air bricks/vents (without blocking airflow) and a suitable chimney cap if applicable.

2) Reduce what attracts them

• Food: Store dry goods in airtight containers; wipe crumbs and spills quickly; don’t leave pet food out overnight.
• Bins: Use a lidded bin, line it, and clean the bin regularly (smells draw flies).
• Moisture: Fix leaks, reduce condensation, and use extractor fans/dehumidifiers – many insects thrive in damp.
• Lighting: At night, keep windows closed with lights on, or use warm/amber outdoor bulbs, which attract fewer insects than bright white/blue tones.

3) Target common problem areas

• Kitchen: Clean under appliances; check for gaps behind units; keep sink drains clean.
• Bathrooms: Ventilate well; reseal around baths/showers; keep towels and bathmats dry.
• Loft/utility spaces: Check for gaps around cables and pipes; ensure stored fabrics are dry and sealed.

4) Low-tox control options

• Sticky traps: Useful for monitoring (and reducing) flies, moths, and some crawling insects.
• Vacuuming: Surprisingly effective for spiders, ants, and visible insects – dispose of contents outside.

5) When to escalate

• If you’re seeing persistent swarms, biting insects indoors, or signs of a nest (wasps) or infestation (e.g., cockroaches/bedbugs), it’s usually time for professional pest control.