how to keep spiders out of house

Spiders can be resourceful little creatures that help control the insect population. However, I don’t know about you, but I rather not have one crawl up my leg at night while sleeping… So here’s our 17 DIY and chemical free guide to help keep these creepy looking spiders out of your home.

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…Without further ado — 17 Natural ways to get rid of spiders from your home:

#1 Create a Mint Spray

That’s right, peppermint! It’s a little-known fact that spiders can’t stand peppermint. The smell of peppermint is too extreme for these pesky buggers that they keep away.

Here’s what to do:

This method involves filling a spray bottle with water and peppermint essential oil. Where to spray? Look at areas such as doorways, windows, attics, basement, and any place you find with cracks and gaps where spiders can crawl in from getting them at entry.

#2 Vinegar Spray to Keep Spiders & Most Insects Away

Source: ehow.com

Vinegar has many uses from inside the house, to outside in the garden. However, Vinegar rocks when it comes to a natural and safe way to keep bugs away from you and your home.

What you need to do:

Grab a spray bottle and mix equal parts of water and Vinegar. Next, spray all of the areas where you would commonly see spiders hanging out and entering. Spray around your door’s threshold, window stool and any cracks and spaces you have in your home.

3# Citrus Peals

Image Source: socialmoms.com

Just like peppermint, citrus has the same potent acidic repelling power to keep spiders at bay.

Here’s what you do:

After you have eaten or cooked with some of these tasty fruits, save the peels. Next, take the peels and rub them across doorways, window sills, vents, baseboards, etc.. A faster way would be to buy some essential oils in citrus scents and mix them with water in a spray bottle.

4# Spread Cedar Mulch Around Your Home

Image source: gardeningknowhow.com

Who doesn’t like the look or smell of fresh Cedar? Cedar has some of best qualities of wood. Everything from natural oils that keep the wood from rotting to keeping moths out of your closet and also a great resource to repelling bugs naturally.

Here’s what to do:

Instead of spreading common types of red or brown bed mulch — grab yourself some cedar mulch and spread this around the foundation of your home. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, you can also buy some natural cedar oils and create a spray solution with water and spray all of the pesky areas common to spiders.

#5 Turn The Outdoor Lights off When You Go to Bed

Yup, that’s right, turn off the outdoor lights because the light attracts the bugs at night, especially spiders. You shouldn’t find it too surprising that after you have left your porch light on all night to find a cobweb.

#6 Grab Yourself Some Chestnuts

Image source: desk7.net

I found this a little surprising until I read more about Chestnuts being a good natural way to keep spiders away, due to their subtle odor.

Here’s what you do:

Grab a handful of these lovely looking nuts and leave a few around doorways (Inside a decorative basket), Window sills, baseboards, vents, etc. Anywhere you have found spiders in the past.

#7 Adopt a Friendly Cat

Any owner of a cat will tell you, cats love to chase and eat insects — including spiders : ) These little furry animals are perfect for non-poisonous spiders so be sure to check whether or not you have poisonous spiders in your region before setting your cat loose : ).

#8 Caulk all Interior and Exterior Trim-work

Another good way to stop these pests from entering your home (especially for older homes), is to fill all exterior cracks. Have a good look at all of your window and door trim, exterior vents, water spigots, pipes, etc., and caulk them.

#9 Eucalyptus Oil

Just a few drops of this extract will go a longs ways in keeping spiders and insects away. Simply spread a few drops in doorways, windows and let extract do its magic. You can also just create a spray solution with water.

#10  Tobacco

Image source: pxleyes.com

I don’t recommend smoking Tobacco, however, aside from the bad reputation from smoking it has some quality benefits that spiders don’t like.

Here’s what to do:

You can soak tobacco in water to create a spray solution, or you can just sprinkle some Tobacco in areas prone to spiders. I’ve even read that some crafty individuals make Tobacco balls with flour and water.

11. Lemon Juice

Source: remediesandherbs.com

As I’ve mentioned before with citrus and orange peels, the same can be said about lemon juice and lemon peels.

Here’s what to do:

Grab some freshly squeezed lemons and create a spray solution with equal parts of both water and lemon juice. You can also just buy some lemon juice. However, I love the smell of freshly squeezed lemons in my kitchen.

Once you have finished making your spray solution to get rid of spiders, simply spray in prone areas of the house. You can also just use the lemon peels.

#12 Grab Yourself a Cup of Mint Tea

Source: remediesandherbs.com

Similar to how mint oil works, mint tea has the same effect on spiders. The odor of mint tea gives off a strong odor that spiders can’t stand.

Another added bonus, don’t throw away the mint tea bags after use, simply place them above cabinets and around doorways.

#13 Keep Your House Clean

Yeah, I know. Easier said than done, right? But it’s true. Staying on top of your weekly cleaning chores such as dust, dirt, and cobwebs, help keep spiders from having a solid hiding place while they infiltrate your home while you sleep.

Another good tip. Try to keep plants and other vegetation away from entryways and windows. These little pests like to hide in these types of areas, too.

#14 Turmeric Powder

It’s a cheap spice and a major ingredient in Indian curry food. However, as much a curry stinks while cooking it, spiders are not too fond of the smell either.

What to do:

Cook with it : ) The aroma will percolate throughout the house and just like many of the steps above, you can bottle this up into a spray.

#15  Good Ole’ Backing Soda

This is a cheap, effective method that I’m sure everyone has a box in their home. I honestly didn’t know this works until I tried it.

Here’s what to do:

Grab a spoonful of baking soda and sprinkle it across doorway thresholds and window sills. You don’t have to cake it on, either. Just gracefully spread some baking soda around. Spiders can’t stand this stuff.

#16 Citronella Candles

Most, if not all people know that Citronella is a great way to get rid of mosquitos and other pests during summer time. But did you know that Citronella oil mixed with some lemon dish soap can also help keep spiders away?

Mix a little bit of lemon dish soap and a few drops of Citronella oil into a water spray solution. Spray all prone areas.

#17 Diatomaceous Earth

Source: WikiHow

This awesome white-powder has some great uses in the garden. However, spiders can’t stand this stuff. This powder is completely safe for humans and animals and is the ground up remains of Phytoplankton.

Here’s what to do:

The steps are similar to using Baking soda, just sprinkle and spread in spider prone areas. It works by inflicting tiny cuts on spiders as they walk through it causing them leak out fluids and die.

This is a really great natural way for pest control.

Wow! That was one heck of a list of actionable and natural ways to get rid of spiders. I honestly didn’t know half of these remedies worked for getting rid of spiders.