These Spider Repellents Will Keep Creepy Crawlies Out of Your Home

Learn how to prevent spiders from moving into your home.

While few spiders pose harm in the home, they can be a nuisance. Spiders form part of a healthy ecosystem and they help control other bugs, like mosquitos, roaches, bed bugs, and even other spiders. Most are innocuous, but it’s understandable if you don’t want them making your house a home.

Use these spider-repelling tips to deter spiders from moving in and making themselves at home in your home. With options for store-bought and natural spider repellents, these solutions will help you get rid of spiders in your home.

Related: How to Get Rid of Pests in Your Home

Spider Repellent Quick Fixes

Some of the most effective spider repellents are the easiest and quickest. Here are a few fast-acting tips and tricks you can do today to deter spiders from staying in your home.

Clean Every Corner

Cobwebs are usually built in undisturbed places, such as corners and behind furniture. "Continually cleaning and decluttering will discourage spiders from establishing webs,” says Emma Grace Crumbley, an entomologist at Mosquito Squad. 

Seal Any Cracks

Cracks and crevices give all types of creepy crawlies an entrance to your home without you knowing. Check the exterior of your house for any open cracks and crevices, paying special attention to areas around doors and windowsills. Seal any cracks and crevices with caulking or weather stripping to block spiders from making their way inside your home.

Remove Food Sources

Kari Warberg Block, CEO of EarthKind, a company that develops plant-based solutions to keep pests away without killing them, says spiders “won’t live somewhere without an adequate food source, so keeping other household pest problems under control will also control spiders.”

The kitchen is usually where pests and food find each other. Wash fruits and veggies every time you bring them into your home to avoid attracting other pests. Crumbley notes that bugs sometimes hide in the leaves and packaging. Wash trash bins, stove tops, and garbage disposals. Sweep under tables and anywhere that food crumbs might hide.

Turn Up the Music

By far the most fun of all the options is Block’s recommendation to add music to your cleaning routine. Sounds help ward off spiders. Block says that “spiders don’t have good eyesight, so they count on vibrations to detect their meals. The vibration from music will interfere with spiders’ ability to pick the perfect time to feast, and it will make them move to a quieter area elsewhere.”

Incorporate Cedar Wood

Cedar acts as an excellent spider repellent. Incorporate as much cedar into your house as possible. Fill your closet with cedar hangers or keep your clothes in a cedar chest. Place cedar blocks inside dressers, drawers, and other small spaces where spiders might dwell.

Store-Bought Spider Repellents

Outdoor Pesticides

An effective way to get rid of spiders in your home is to block their path of entry. Use an outdoor pesticide to spray along the exterior of your home. You can purchase outdoor sprays made specifically for deterring spiders, or you can use a spray that works to keep out multiple kinds of insects and creepy crawlies.

Spider Repellent Pouches

Place pre-made pouches in high-traffic areas to repel spiders from your home. These spider-repelling pouches contain blends of peels and leaves from fragrant plants like rosemary and citronella. The blend of scents is pleasing to humans but repels insects. Or make your own spider repellent pouch at home by combining herb clippings and essential oils.

Electronic Spider Repellents

If you prefer to not use any sprays or traps and are looking for a short-term fix, an electronic spider repellent may be the solution. This type of repellent works by emitting ultrasonic waves that deter insects, spiders, and other household pests. Place the repellent box in areas where spiders are found or entering your home. If you have pets, check the instructions to make sure the ultrasonic waves are safe for furry friends.

Natural Spider Repellents

If you’re wondering how to get rid of spiders in your home but don't want to use harsh pesticides, look no further. Some solutions can be found right in your kitchen or pantry. Follow these expert-recommended natural spider repellent solutions and strategies to keep arachnids out of your space.

Apply Peppermint Oil

Spiders hate the smell of peppermint. Fill a spray bottle with water and 10-15 drops of peppermint essential oil and spray in places spiders tend to hide—under furniture, in closets, and in other corners and crevices of your house. In addition, add a few drops of peppermint oil to a cotton ball and strategically place them in trouble spots.

Hide Chestnuts

Chestnuts have a scent that keeps spiders at bay. Place chestnuts around your house where spiders can sneak in. Basements, attics, windowsills, and door frames are prime locations. The best part about chestnuts is that they don't leave any residue behind when scattered around the house.

Make a DIY Cleaning Spray

To prevent spiders from making webs behind bookshelves, large furniture, closets, and more, Block says to “use a spray made of 1/2 cup of water, 1/2 cup of vinegar, 2 Tbsp. of liquid dish soap, and 20 drops of thyme oil. The scented mixture has been used to prevent them from attaching their silk to sprayed surfaces.”

Repel Spiders with Dish Soap

Another natural spider repellent you can make from household supplies is a mixture of water and liquid dish soap. Dish soap disturbs the egg cycle of spiders, and the insects strongly dislike citrus scents like lemon, lime, or orange. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and use it whenever you see a spider. You can also spray high-traffic areas of your home to deter spiders from returning.

Use Spider-Repellent Plants

Spiders are not fond of certain household plants. In fact, the scents that often draw humans to many plants are what turns spiders away. Place basil, mint, lavender, or eucalyptus plants around your home or in areas where you notice more creepy crawlies. Or decorate your home with bouquets of marigolds or chrysanthemums, both of which are effective in repelling spiders.

Do Natural Spider Repellents Work?

Yes, natural spider repellents are effective, but to keep your home spider-free, you’ll have to be consistent. Cleaning daily and spraying surfaces regularly will help ensure that your home isn’t a permissive environment for any new 8-legged friends.

Related: A Whole-House Cleaning Schedule You’ll Actually Stick To

What Is the Best Natural Spider Repellent?

Of all the options, it’s hard to say which will be the best for your home. You can use each method individually or combine them—listen to music while cleaning the kitchen with dish soap and place cedar and chestnuts throughout the rest of the house.

Much depends on the climate and plant life around your neighborhood. Spiders seem to be attracted to humidity. To ward them off, Crumbley says to “manage your home’s humidity and moisture. Avoid overwatering your houseplants and do not leave wet towels on the floor or counter.”

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