It's frustrating to find unwelcome eight-legged or crawling guests making a home under your favorite outdoor benches. Don't worry, with a few consistent strategies, you can reclaim your space. First, eliminate their hiding spots. Regularly move your benches and sweep away leaves, grass clippings, and debris from underneath. Trim back any bushes or plants touching the furniture, as these are bridges for pests.
Next, create a natural barrier they hate. Spiders dislike strong scents like peppermint, citrus, and tea tree oil. Mix about 15 drops of peppermint essential oil with water in a spray bottle and mist the legs and underside of your benches every couple of weeks. Scattering citrus peels (like from lemons or oranges) underneath can also help. For insects like ants and beetles, a light sprinkling of food-grade diatomaceous earth around the bench legs is a highly effective, non-toxic deterrent.
Make the area inhospitable by ensuring it's dry. Fix any drainage issues and avoid placing benches directly on damp soil or mulch; use a patio stone or concrete slab as a base instead. Finally, consider your lighting. Standard outdoor lights attract the insects that spiders eat. Switch to yellow "bug light" bulbs in nearby fixtures to attract fewer insects, thereby reducing the food source for spiders. A simple routine of cleaning, applying natural repellents, and managing moisture will make your benches much less appealing to pests all season long.