How to Keep Spiders Out of Your House

Finding 8-legged friends in your house can be unsettling, especially if you aren’t a fan of living around insects. You can keep spiders from burrowing and spinning webs in your home by applying natural remedies like vinegar and essential oils. Maintaining a clean, well sealed home can also prevent spiders from taking up residence in your space. With the right approach, you can keep spiders out of your home easily and effectively.

EditSteps

EditApplying Natural Remedies

1. Use a vinegar and water spray on cracks or crevices in your home. Fill a spray bottle with half white vinegar and half water. Then, apply the spray to any cracks or crevices in the floors, walls, or windows of your home, as well as on the window sills. Do this once a day to keep spiders out.^[1]
   
   • Do not apply the spray to any varnished surfaces, as the vinegar may damage it.
2. Apply essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, and cinnamon. These essential oils are a great natural way to deter spiders from hanging out in your home. Put 15-20 drops of essential oil in a spray bottle with of water and spray your home once a day for a natural spider repellent.^[2]
   
   • Swap out different essential oils in the spray so the spiders do not get used to the scent of 1 particular oil.
3. Rub citrus peels on the floorboards and window sills in your home. Lemon and orange peels are a natural deterrent for spiders. Rub floorboards and window sills with the peels once a day so the smell lingers. You can also have a bowl of citrus fruits in your kitchen to keep spiders out of this area.^[3]
   
4. Put horse chestnuts in the corners and window sills in rooms. Horse chestnuts have a smell and texture that deters spiders. You can buy horse chestnuts at your local natural food store or online. They tend to last a long time and require no upkeep. Spread 4-5 horse chestnuts in each room, especially near windows, to keep spiders away.^[4]
   
5. Spread cedar chips or blocks in your home to keep spiders away. The scent of cedar is a natural deterrent for spiders. Look for cedar chips or blocks at your local hardware store or online. Spread the chips or blocks in the corners and windowsills in your home to keep spiders out.^[5]
   

EditKeeping the Inside of Your Home Clean

1. Do a weekly clean of your home to remove dust, dirt, and debris. Keeping your house clean will ensure there are no pieces of food on your floors that can attract spiders. Dust and dirt in the corners of rooms can also serve as a great hiding spot for spiders, so be sure to sweep or vacuum these areas regularly. Clean window sills and frames once a week, or daily, to prevent spider webs from forming.^[6]
   
   • You can also apply a natural vinegar or essential oil spray as part of your weekly clean to keep spiders away.
2. Check indoor plants for spiders. Spiders can hide in the leaves of indoor plants and spin webs in the plants. Make sure you check indoor plants regularly for spiders and remove them. You can also spray a natural pest repellent on the plant, such as a white vinegar or essential oil spray.
   
   • Another option is to make a spray out of diatomaceous earth powder and water and apply it to your plants to keep spiders away.
3. Remove any spider webs inside your home. If you notice spider webs in the rafters, corners, or on window frames, use a cloth to wipe them away and dispose of them. This will prevent spiders from living on the webs and taking up permanent residency in your home.
   
4. Keep windows and doors to the outside closed. Prevent spiders from wandering inside your home by keeping windows and doors that open to the outside shut as much as possible. Tell others in your household to try not to leave windows or doors open.
   
5. Consider getting a cat to keep spiders away. Cats will hunt and eat spiders, and serve as a good deterrent to prevent spiders from coming inside. If you are not allergic to cats and are looking to get a pet, a feline friend can be a good way to have companionship, and keep spiders away.^[7]
   

EditMaintaining the Outside of Your Home

1. Keep outdoor plants away from the sides of your home. Spiders tend to burrow in the leaves and folds of plants. Try to arrange outdoor plants so they are not touching the sides of your home. You can also spread diatomaceous earth, a white powder made of algae, around plants or spray it on plants to repel spiders.^[8]
   
   • Avoid planting plants that will try to grow on the sides of your home, such as ivy or tall shrubs.
2. Fill any gaps or cracks on the outside of your home. Inspect the exterior of your home to ensure you do not have any cracks in the foundation or gaps forming in your roof or under your doors. Fix any gaps, cracks, or holes by filling them with cement or filler.^[9]
   
   • You should also do regular maintenance on the outside of your home to ensure spiders cannot get in by checking for gaps or cracks once a month and fixing them as needed.
3. Turn outside lights off at night to deter bugs that spiders like to eat. Having outside lights on at night can attract flies, mosquitoes, and other pests that spiders eat. Shut off outside lights at night to keep the perimeter of your home insect-free.^[10]
   

EditTips

• Do not use commercial products like Borax and other insect repellents in your home, as they can be toxic and cause health issues. Natural products are a better and safer option.

EditRelated wikiHows

• Get Spiders Out of Your House Without Killing Them
• Get Rid of Black Widow Spiders
• Make Spider Repellent at Home

EditSources and Citations

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