Even though most spiders are completely harmless, it’s common for people to want to know how to get rid of spiders from their home, because the fear most feel upon finding one in the house is palpable.
As the temperatures begin to change it’s more than likely that spider sightings around the home will increase as the uninvited guests seek shelter from the cooler climes. Thankfully, there are numerous ways to deter spiders from entering your house, from decluttering your home to making natural repelling remedies.
We called upon pest control and cleaning experts to share their useful tips and their most effective methods to get rid of spiders in the house without causing these harmless insects harm.
How to get rid of spiders and keep them out of your home
“Spiders are most commonly found in the home when the external temperatures drop and there is a lack of insects for them to feed on,” explains John Stewart, an expert from the technical team at Pest-Stop (opens in new tab). “In households, they can be observed walking across our floors, in the corners of rooms, and scuttling around our baths.”
“The best way to get rid of spiders in the house is to prevent them from even entering, and for that, there are a number of harmless deterrents you can employ in your home,” John explains.
1. Seal any potential entry gaps
Spiders can make it through any tiny nooks and crannies that you might have in your home, so if you are really determined to keep them out, it’s worth looking around your house to take the opportunity to seal any slight gaps you might have that a spider could see as an open invitation into your home.
“Avoid letting those pesky crawlers take up residence in your home by sealing all spider entry points in your home,” suggests Jordan Foster, Pest Control Expert at Fantastic Services (opens in new tab). “Your walls, doors, and windows must be patched up and sealed. Put mesh over the vents and cover the fireplace when it is not in use. Pay special attention to the kitchen, attic, and bathrooms, as the high moisture levels make them popular hiding places.”
“Make sure the window frames are properly sealed,” advises End of Tenancy’s (opens in new tab) Ivan Ivanov. “To keep them out, you could also try installing excluder strips at the bottoms of doors. Although these tasks require some DIY, they are very simple tasks that can be a more permanent solution than some of the other methods because it stops spiders at the source.”
2. Make an essential oil spray
For a powerful home remedy to get rid of spiders all you need is the best essential oil for the job. “Peppermint oil is the best option to repel spiders,” Ivan recommends. “This is because spiders smell through their legs, so as soon as they are hit with that overpowering scent of peppermint, they will flee because the smell is too strong for them.”
“We would recommend mixing peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle and then spraying the areas of your home that you have noticed to be susceptible to spiders. However, because peppermint oil is toxic to pets, we recommend avoiding this method if you have any furry friends.”
To make the perfect potion, if it’s safe for your household, Jordan suggests “mixing 20 drops of peppermint essential oil into a spray bottle filled with water. Use the mixture to get rid of spiders without killing them by spraying them into cracks and corners of your house. Alternatively, you can spray it on your duvet to deter them from getting into the bed.”
3. Light citronella scented candles
Citronella is commonly used over the summer months to keep wasps away, but come the Fall these popular scented candles can help ward off spiders too.
“Lighting candles can also keep spiders away from your home. This is mainly due to the spiders not liking a lot of different smells such as lemon, cinnamon, and citronella,’ explains Ivan. “They also dislike the smell of smoke, so blowing these candles out will also help keep them away.”
“Putting candles on windowsills is probably the best option for placement as windows are a hotspot for spiders entering,”
For safety, you should always keep candles out of reach from children and never leave candles burning unattended.
4. Clean the windows
Cleaning windows is not merely a job to improve visibility outside, it can also help to aid with preventing spiders from seeking refuge in and around the house.
“Spiders will often lay their eggs in a sack, held in position with sticky silk around windows and doors. Removing these with a hard bristle brush will help to keep their numbers in check around the home,” John explains.
5. Spritz surfaces with vinegar
“White vinegar is another excellent natural spider repellent because it contains acetic acid, to which spiders are extremely sensitive,” says Ivan. “It’s also something which most people already have in the cupboard at home, isn’t toxic to pets and doesn’t have any harmful effects.”
“We recommend spraying half water, half vinegar over windows, your kitchen, and other entrances where bugs and spiders could be sneaking in.” Many households will already have this store cupboard essential to hand because cleaning with vinegar is the wonder solution for all manner of tasks, from cleaning bathrooms to cleaning walls.
6. Tend to household chores regularly
“Another thing you can do to keep spiders at bay is keep your house clean and tidy. Cobwebs will appear if your house is left unkempt and leaving items such as food out on the counter will attract flies and other bugs into your home, attracting hungry spiders,” explains Ivan.
“They are also drawn to dark, cluttered environments, so make sure to dust on a regular basis and remove any piles of boxes or other household items.”
How often should you vacuum might be worth considering if you’re intent on keeping spiders at bay. “Vacuum regularly to keep your home clean,” advises Jordan. “The lack of hiding places will make spiders less likely to invade your home.”
“Take extra care to clean all corners, lights, window sills, and ceilings. Keep kitchen surfaces clean after every use since the tiny bits of food attract other pests and can provide food for spiders.”
7. Make an orange peel powder to sprinkle
“If you’re looking for a natural solution to deter our eight-legged friends and one that won’t ruin or require a deep clean of hardwood floors, it’s time to start saving your orange peels,” says flooring expert Michael Barnes, at Flooring Supplies (opens in new tab).
“The sun-dried peels from citrus fruits are the perfect natural, pet, child, and floor-safe repellent. Use a good food processor to ground dried peels into a fine powder and sprinkle it in the corner of any room with a wooden floor. Spiders are said to dislike the scent of citrus and this natural solution helps keep them at bay.”
(Image credit: Getty Images | Eriko Ohashi/EyeEm)
How do you remove spiders inside the house?
“The safest and best way to deal with spiders in the house is to simply pick them up and transfer them gently outside where they can be of benefit,” says John. The most common practice is to place a glass over the top to trap the spider then simply slide a piece of card or something similar to provide a sturdy enough base to enable a hand to be slid underneath to turn the glass over and contain the spider inside. The spider can then be safely transferred to the outside.
(Image credit: Getty Images | Elva Etienne)
“That might seem like a terrifying option for some and in those cases handheld devices like the Pest-Stop spider and insect vacuum (opens in new tab) offers a quick, safe, and scare-free answer to banishing these eight-legged intruders and other insects from the home.”
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