Do hedge apples (Osage oranges) really keep spiders away?

Question

ForwardPlant Team · Accepted Answer

While anecdotal evidence suggests Osage oranges (Maclura pomifera) repel spiders, scientific studies do not conclusively support this claim. Some research indicates that compounds like limonin found in the fruit might deter certain insects, but their efficacy against spiders specifically remains unproven. Therefore, relying on hedge apples as a primary spider repellent is not scientifically recommended.

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