[Emma PT (OP)]

Does anyone know if spiders are really repelled by conkers?

This guy has conducted an experiment....

newbielink:http://www.athelstanscave.com/caveblog/spiders-vs-conkers/ [nonactive]

Any thoughts?

Emma

[Don_1]

I have read this in other places. Some say it works.

[dentstudent]

We've also had a thread about this topic....

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=17751.0

[Emma PT (OP)]

Yes, but is there a definitive answer?

[DoctorBeaver]

Yes, they are. Categorically. Undeniably. Definitely. Possibly.

[Emma PT (OP)]

Laughs! Are you certain?

[Chemistry4me]

I think the answer is: he doesn't know.

[yor_on]

Spiders are mostly good fellows in my book. A little lazy perhaps? But so am I. And this thing about conkers is new to me, nothing like that in Sweden. Well, we do have them both, but no saying like that. So I will guarantee you Emma that, although Swedish spiders may die of conkers, it will only be so if they are dropped upon them.

Ah, that should read conkers upon spiders, not spiders upon conkers.

[Chemistry4me]

Does anyone know if spiders are really repelled by conkers?

This guy has conducted an experiment....

http://www.athelstanscave.com/caveblog/spiders-vs-conkers/

Any thoughts?

Emma

Looks like a legend to me.

[DoctorBeaver]

In all seriousness, I believe it to be true. My grandmother said it was so and there are anti-spider sprays that contain conker juice (or whatever it is that comes out of conkers). I have personally been told by users that they are very effective.

[DoctorBeaver]

I think the answer is: he doesn't know.

How dare you, you young scallywag! 

[Chemistry4me]

Blah, calm down old fella.

[paul.fr]

"There are also chemosensitive hairs, the tip of the leg contains a series of these hairs the spider uses to taste. "

So maybe it's the taste of conkers, this may also explain why rubbing lemon juice on walls keeps spiders off.

 [ Invalid Attachment ]

http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/indexmag.html?http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artjan00/spileg.html

[Emma PT (OP)]

It seems the jury is still out?  []

[Chemistry4me]

I don't think the jury was ever in.