Spiders can be creepy, crawly, and downright scary for some. While many spiders are harmless, no one wants their home overrun with 8-legged creatures. Thankfully, there are many natural, non-toxic ways to help keep spiders at bay or remove existing ones without the use of harsh chemicals.
Why Get Rid of Spiders?
While most spiders found in homes are not dangerous to humans, their presence can still be unnerving. Webs in corners or unexpected spiders crawling across floors can give homeowners a fright. Some reasons you may want to remove or deter spiders include:
- Fear or phobia of spiders – Their presence causes stress or anxiety
- Allergies – Spider bites or hairs may trigger allergic reactions in some people
- Household pests – Certain spiders may feed on other insects in the home
- Protecting children/pets – Venomous spiders could pose a risk to kids or pets
- Reduce spider bites – Cut down on painful or itchy bites while indoors
- Prevent infestations – Stop conditions that allow spider populations to rapidly grow
Taking proactive steps to control spiders gently and safely can help maintain a calm, pest-free home environment.
Natural Ways to Deter Spiders
There are many non-toxic, eco-friendly solutions for keeping spiders at bay before they become a nuisance in the home. Here are some of the top methods to deter spiders naturally:
Remove Food Sources
Spiders are attracted to food sources like other insects, crumbs, and damp areas that can breed mold or mildew. Keeping a clean home helps eliminate a spider’s dinner!
- Vacuum and sweep regularly to remove dust, debris, and crumbs
- Store food properly in sealed containers to avoid attracts pests
- Fix water leaks and eliminate dampness in basements, bathrooms, etc.
- Clear clutter to reduce hiding places for spiders and insect prey
Use Essential Oils
Many essential oils contain compounds that naturally repel spiders when applied around baseboards, windows, doorways, and other spots spiders may enter.
Some oils to try include:
- Peppermint – Has a strong scent spiders dislike
- Tea tree – Repels and may kill spider eggs
- Clove – Unpleasant aroma chases spiders away
- Cedar – Woodsy scent deters spiders
- Lavender – Pleasant for humans but not spiders!
Dilute 5-10 drops of oil in water in a spray bottle and reapply weekly.
Seal Up Entry Points
Sealing cracks and crevices around the home prevents spiders from sneaking inside. Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal gaps around:
- Windows and doors
- Pipes, vents, wiring holes
- Under sinks and tubs
- Between floorboards and baseboards
- Attic openings, dryer vents, etc.
Be sure areas have proper ventilation and use copper mesh or screens when needed.
Grow Deterrent Plants
Certain plants contain oils, aromas, and textures spiders dislike, which can be planted around the home’s exterior as natural repellents. Some examples include:
- Mint – Scent deters spiders
- Lavender – Unpleasant aroma for spiders
- Garlic & chives – Strong smell spiders avoid
- Marigolds – Spider repellent chemicals
- Citronella – Lemony fragrance spiders hate
Plant these around windows, doorways, vents, and other potential spider entry points.
Install Lighting
Spiders avoid bright light since it makes them more visible to predators. Installing lighting around the exterior of your home helps discourage spiders from building webs and entering.
- Outdoor floodlights or motion-sensor lights near doors/windows
- Solar pathway lights along sidewalks, patios, gardens
- Low-voltage lighting along roof and under eaves
Be sure lights are not so bright they disrupt sleep or neighbors. Draw curtains/blinds at night.
Use Natural Spider Repellents
In addition to oils, there are other natural ingredients that can be mixed into homemade spider repellent sprays:
- White vinegar – Unpleasant acidity deters spiders
- Eucalyptus oil – Strong herbal scent spiders avoid
- Lemon juice – Citrus smell and acidity spiders dislike
- Peppermint oil – Distasteful aroma for spiders
- Water – Helps dilute and distribute oils
Combine 5-10 drops of essential oils with 1 cup water (and optional 1 tsp vinegar/lemon juice) in a spray bottle. Reapply weekly around windows, doors, baseboards, etc. Shake well before each use.
How to Get Rid of Existing Spiders
If spiders have already taken up residence in your home, here are some natural ways to get rid of them without harming yourself or the environment:
Vacuum Them Up
One of the easiest ways to remove spiders is by vacuuming them up. Just be sure to take precautions:
- Use a powerful vacuum with good suction
- Disturb web to coax spider from hiding spots
- Avoid direct skin contact when possible
- Release vacuum outdoors immediately after to prevent escapes
- Clean vacuum thoroughly afterwards (blow out bags/filters)
Vacuuming is a great option for spiders on floors, walls, ceilings, curtains, baseboards, and other surfaces.
Use Jar Traps
For spiders spotted crawling across floors and other exposed areas, try trapping them in a glass jar. Here’s how:
- Place empty jar gently over spider
- Slide stiff paper/card under jar to trap spider inside
- Secure lid and tightly seal jar
- Release spider outdoors, far from home
- Clean jar thoroughly afterwards
This allows you to remove spiders without having to squish them or cause direct harm.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is made from fossilized algae and has microscopic jagged edges that cut and dehydrate insects. When sprinkled in spots spiders travel, it damages their exoskeletons and causes dehydration.
To use DE for spiders:
- Apply powder under/behind appliances and furniture
- Create barriers around baseboards and window sills
- Sprinkle in attics, crawl spaces, and cellars
- Wear a mask to avoid breathing in dust
- Reapply after cleaning or vacuuming up
DE is non-toxic and pet/kid safe when applied properly in cracks and crevices. Avoid inhaling the dust.
Remove Their Food Source
By eliminating other insects that spiders prey upon, you remove a spider’s reason for hanging around. Methods include:
- Using fly paper, sticky traps for other insects
- Sealing food, keeping counters and floors clean
- Vacuuming thoroughly and often
- Removing spider webs where insects get trapped
- Using natural insect repellents like mint, citrus, etc.
- Eliminating standing water breeding grounds for bugs
Without a good food source, spiders will likely move elsewhere to areas with more insects to eat.
Use Natural Spider Repellents
In addition to deterrents, natural ingredients like essential oils can also kill and repel spiders when applied directly. Some options include:
Peppermint Oil Spray
- 2 cups water
- 20 drops peppermint oil
- Spray in corners, along walls, under furniture
Vinegar Spray
- 2 parts water
- 1 part white vinegar
- Spray onto webs, spiders, and entry points
Citrus Spray
- 2 cups water
- Rind from 1 lemon (with juice)
- Simmer rind in water, strain, spray solution
Apply sprays directly to spiders, webs, and areas where spiders lurk. Reapply every few days. Avoid inhaling sprays.
Remove Spider Egg Sacs
Spider egg sacs appear as tiny silken balls, often found in hidden corners or on webs. To prevent hundreds of baby spiders from later hatching in your home:
- Vacuum up any apparent egg sacs
- Seal vacuum bag/filter tightly and dispose outdoors
- Check for additional sacs which may have fallen off
- Monitor areas for future sacs and remove promptly
Destroying egg sacs before they hatch can prevent spider issues down the road. Just be sure proper identification is made beforehand.
Release Natural Predators
Some spiders prey upon other spiders, providing natural pest control. If you spot small jumping spiders, funnel web spiders, or crab spiders they are likely hunting more nuisance web-building spiders and can be left alone.
You can also intentionally release spider predators like:
- Green lynx spiders
- Spider wasps (safely from a distance!)
- Centipedes
- Birds that feed on spiders
Unless absolutely necessary, avoid killing helpful spider predators. Let them do their job in balancing the ecosystem. Monitor closely.
Use Sticky Traps
Sticky traps or glue boardstrap spiders and some insects as they crawl across the boards. They are useful for catching spiders:
- In garages, sheds, basements and attics
- Behind appliances and in cabinets
- Under sinks, stoves, refrigerators
- On windowsills and near doorways
Avoid using sticky traps around small children and pets. Check traps frequently and dispose of trapped spiders promptly.
Seal With Caulk
Applying caulk around cracks, crevices, openings for pipes and wires, etc. can seal off access points for spiders to enter the home. Use caulk:
- Around windows, doors, and baseboards
- Between floorboards and base molding
- Near vents, ductwork, and plumbing
- In attics and crawlspaces
Caulk cuts off access routes for spiders from outdoors. Apply outdoors whenever possible. Let dry fully before exposure to water.
Use Desiccant Dusts
Desiccant dusts like diatomaceous earth, fossil shell flour, and silica gel absorb the outer waxy layer on insects and arachnids. For spiders, apply with care into wall voids, cracks and crevices where spiders may hide and travel. Over time, the dusts cause spiders to dry out and die.
Take safety precautions when using:
- Wear gloves, mask, eye protection
- Use sparingly and directly in spider areas only
- Keep away from children and pets
- Avoid breathing in dusts
- Do not apply around food surfaces
Desiccant dusts provide long-lasting spider control when applied properly into confined spaces.
When to Call a Professional
While the methods above can help safely manage the average spider problem at home, there are times to call for professional help:
- You are unsure if spiders are venomous
- There are recurring infestations of spiders
- Spider problems persist despite thorough efforts
- Populations of spiders seem abnormally high
- You are unable to safely reach high populations yourself
Licensed exterminators have access to stronger chemical treatments when natural options fail. They can also identify species, locate nests, and reach difficult to access areas.
Get a recommendation for a reputable pest control company and always opt for the least toxic methods available whenever possible. Only use strong chemicals as a very last resort for severe infestations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Rid of Spiders
How do I keep spiders out of my home?
- Caulk cracks and crevices to seal entry points
- Install weatherstripping around windows/doors
- Use essential oils in deterrent sprays
- Keep areas clean, dry, and free of clutter
- Install lighting around exterior doors and windows
What scent do spiders hate?
Spiders tend to avoid strong smells from essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, lavender, citronella, cedar, and lemongrass.
What plants keep spiders away?
Mint, garlic, onions/chives, marigolds, mustard, rosemary, lavender and citronella are good spider repelling plants.
Does vinegar kill spiders?
White vinegar can help repel and kill spiders. Spray full strength vinegar directly on spiders and webs, or create solutions with essential oils or lemon juice for deterrent sprays.
What home remedy kills spider eggs?
To kill spider eggs:
- Vacuum up any visible egg sacs and dispose of the bag outdoors
- Apply an essential oil spray directly to sacs to deter hatching
- Use desiccant dusts in confined spaces with egg sacs
- If they hatch, eliminate food sources to encourage baby spiders to leave
What time of day are spiders most active?
Most spiders are nocturnal and do their hunting and web spinning at night. Bite risk is higher at night. Keep lights on at night and wear shoes and socks. Check sheets before bedtime.
Why are there suddenly so many spiders in my house?
A sudden influx could be due to:
- Nearby spiders reproducing, causing migrations indoors
- Elimination of natural predators letting populations surge
- Weather changes driving spiders to new locations
- New construction or leaks allowing added entry points
- Increased prey (insects) in the home attracting spiders
Seal entryways, remove indoor insects, and use natural deterrents to safely reduce excessive spider populations.
The Takeaway
While most common house spiders are harmless, having an overabundance of them inhabiting a home can be unsettling. Thankfully, there are many highly effective, non-toxic methods for deterring, capturing, and eliminating spiders from inside your home and preventing future infestations.
With consistent Vigilance checking for and destroying egg sacs, sealing up access points, removing food sources, and using natural repellents, you can safely rid a home of spider problems and prevent large populations from returning without relying on dangerous chemicals.
The key is patience, thoroughness in applying solutions to all affected areas, and persistence over time. In most cases, natural spider control results in lasting success and peace of mind without negative impacts on health or the environment.