It’s said that spiders can be beneficial to your home as they keep other pests away. But they’re still a nuisance pest that creates annoying tangled webs in eaves and corners of ceilings. This is no fun, especially when you want your space clean and healthy.
How do you get rid of spiders permanently? It’s either through natural ways or effective pest control methods that can help you out. Natural ways include cinnamon, lemon peel, and vinegar. Pest control methods, on the other hand, include sealing all entry points and vacuuming regularly. You have to know which one works for you best.
Why Are Spiders Invading My Home?
Suppose you ran across an unusual amount of spiders inside your home lately. Chances are, you’re dealing with a bigger pest problem. More often, you’ll see fewer spiders because it’s getting colder outside. The spider population is increasing in your home because you have the shelter they need to lay their eggs. More so, these spiders can feed on the other pests inside your home. Yes, a spider infestation at home means you have other pest-related problems. So if you see common house spider species regularly, including wolf spider, hobo spider, cellar spider, and the more venomous ones like the recluse spiders and orb weaver spiders, don’t ignore them.
Learn more: Identifying House Spiders
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Spiders in Your Home
Organic options are the healthiest way to prevent spiders from taking up residence in your home. Here’s a guide on how to get rid of spiders naturally:
1. Eucalyptus
While some might enjoy the smell of eucalyptus, it’s a scent that spiders truly despise. So grow eucalyptus as a houseplant or outside to restrain them from setting up camp on your property.
2. Cinnamon
Cinnamon isn’t only an excellent food flavoring; this versatile spice is also a great spider deterrent. Find the entryway of your pesky pests and sprinkle cinnamon powder in the path or spider nests. Cinnamon won’t kill them, but it will keep them from coming inside your home.
3. Lemon peel
Another effective way to get rid of spiders is to use lemon because spiders hate citrus. Brush lemon peel all over your window sills, bookshelves, and the like. If you also want to get rid of spiders in the basement or garage, this could be an easy solution.
4. Vinegar
Vinegar is an effective natural spider repellent. Mix water and white vinegar in a sprayer bottle and sprinkle it directly onto any spiders you encounter. Vinegar has acetic acid, which burns the spider upon contact. The odor will disappear as soon as it dries out.
5. Citrus
Spiders hate citrus as much as vinegar. Try storing citrus fruits in a bowl on the kitchen counter. Not only does it encourage healthy eating for your family, but it’s also a safe and easy way to repel spiders. You can also brush leftover citrus peels along windowsills and doorways. To make the scent of vinegar less pungent, try soaking several orange peels in a cup of vinegar overnight. Pour the infused vinegar into a spray bottle mixed with water. It can be maximized as a cleaning agent or sprayed on areas where you spot spiders the most.
6. Diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is made of fossilized remains of a specific type of algae called diatoms, whose outer shell is composed of silica. The skeletons of diatoms are located and collected in the sediment at the bottom of oceans, lakes, rivers, and streams. This white powder isn’t only effective and inexpensive, but it’s also non-toxic, which makes it an exceptional alternative to repel spiders. The silica in the DE absorbs all of the moisture out of the pests, causing them to dehydrate.
7. Horse chestnuts
Horse chestnuts have been known to get rid of spiders simply because they don’t like smell. The fruit of the Osage orange tree and walnuts are known to have the same effect. Putting a few on your window sills and baseboards will keep spiders from staying out there.
8. Mint
The pungent smell of peppermint puts off most spider species and even centipedes. This makes it effective at repelling spiders. Mix peppermint essential oil into water and spray all over your home. Then, crush some dried mint leaves and place them in little sachets in your kitchen cupboard. You may use mint tea bags if you don’t have fresh mint. Another great way is to plant mint leaves near your entryways.
9. Cedar
A typical investment among homeowners who fear spiders is the purchase of cedar wood furniture, as spiders loathe the smell of cedar wood. A practical way is to sprinkle cedar chips in places where you often see spiders and other bugs. You may also put blocks of it in your garden and around possible entry points to stave the pests off. A bonus is a pleasant woody scent around your home.
10. Baking soda
Baking soda is a healthier alternative for those looking for a non-toxic method of ridding spiders at home. While it doesn’t kill spiders, it acts as a strong deterrent that helps get rid of and keep spiders away. Sprinkle into corners, window sills, carpets, and doorways. For best results, re-apply at least once or twice a week.
11. Turmeric
Turmeric has a definite mustardy smell that spiders detest. Try mixing about 2 to 3 tablespoons of turmeric powder with water to produce a fine paste. Then use it around all of the spider-prone areas in your home.
12. Garlic
Garlic doesn’t only have vampire-repelling properties; it turns out, it’s also an excellent spider deterrent. Spiders hate the smell of this pungent bulb. Depending on how strong the odor you can tolerate, you can put whole cloves or crushed cloves into a bottle filled with water and spray on the floors, corners, and skirting boards of any area prone to receiving unwanted guests.
13. Tobacco
Spiders hate tobacco. You can use these against them by spreading tobacco leaves where spiders tend to linger or by spraying with water around the house. You’re sure to find loose-leaf tobacco at smoke shops and some grocery stores.
14. Borax
Borax is a powdery white substance known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate. It’s widely used as a household cleaner, a booster for laundry detergent, and an ant repeller. You may not be aware, but it also repels spiders. Simply sprinkle Borax in places where spiders would usually come and make their spider webs (between your window and storm windows and along with the thresholds of your doors).
15. Soap and water spray
A soap and water solution can effectively kill spider. Get a spray bottle and add 2 tablespoons of dish soap. After that, fill the rest of the bottle with water. After shaking well, liberally spray the soap and water mixture on the spider nests or spider eggs you’ve spotted inside your home. This DIY spider repellent spray will clog up their breathing pores, causing them to die instantly. This is a great way to keep indoor spiders away as you can reach them easily from your kitchen or bathroom.
Read more: The Most Effective Spider Repellent to Try at Home
Effective Pest Control Methods
1. Maintain a clean home Spider control starts with you. Keeping your home clean is the best way to prevent these creepy crawlies from lurking in your home. Spiders are attracted to dark, cluttered spaces, so make sure to organize your attics, garages, closets, and basements regularly. It’s important that you also remove stacks of empty boxes that you have saved up since spiders like to make a home in piles of cardboard, plywood, boxes, and firewood. Keeping your space clean will make your home less inviting.
2. Seal all entry points Spiders invade your home in search of prey, any chance they have. To prevent these eight-legged pests from entering, seal up any cracks, holes, and gaps around your doors and window frames. You must also check out torn window screens and place mesh coverings over your vents regularly, as these can serve as entryways.
3. Remove clutter outside your home Spiders prefer to hide in woodpiles, old furniture pieces, long-forgotten boxes, or whatever miscellaneous items you may have accumulated in your yard. These places provide such an ideal breeding ground for the pests to spawn here without being disturbed. But when the colder weather comes, it’s only a matter of time before they try to move indoors. So, be sure to clear away the clutter from the side of your home regularly.
4. Vacuum regularly One of the best ways to eliminate spiders is by vacuuming up egg sacs and spider web as you run across them. This is an efficient way of minimizing the spider presence in your house while cleaning regularly. Web prevention keeps spiders away. However, keep in mind that this method only works when trying to get rid of a few spiders. It may not be very effective if you have a large spider population nesting in your home.
5. Turn outside lights off While the light itself doesn’t attract spiders, the insect that spiders eat is drawn to it. A great way to keep spiders and other annoying pests away from your home is to turn off or reduce the number of outdoor lights you use. If bright outdoor lighting is necessary, try to move the light source as far away from your home as possible.
6. Keep plants away from your home Remove vegetation from the boundary of your house entrances. Plants attract spiders because they serve as an ample hiding spot. When the spiders need new food sources or warmth, they’d crawl from the vegetation and into your home (They get in through cracks). If you have a severe spider problem, try transplanting shrubs, trees, ivy, and other plants from the proximity of your house to the opposite side of the yard.
7. Consider getting a cat
It might be a drastic method, but getting a cat is an excellent way to keep spiders away. Cats are experienced hunters by nature. Domestic felines take care of any small vermin, insects, and spiders they see crawling around your home and yard. Note that this isn’t a good option if you’re dealing with highly poisonous spiders.
8. Use dryer sheets Using dryer sheets around your home, where spiders usually enter, can help prevent them from invading your space. One of the main elements used in dryer sheets is a compound called linalool. The floral-scented element has a toxic effect on spiders and other pests.
9. Prepare for spider season In general, the spider mating season usually begins in autumn. So for most places in the United States, it starts in the first couple of weeks in September and ends around the first half of October. Before this season, make sure to thoroughly clean your home, tidying up corners they might think they’re safe. Keep in mind that even when the spider season is over, they leave baby spiders behind. Expect to see spiderlings when the weather gets warmer near the beginning of spring. Again, vacuum or sweep away any egg sac you know before they even hatch to prevent them from residing in your home. In addition, mow your lawn to avoid spiders like the grass spider from nesting.
10. Spray your home with a natural insecticide When it comes to using any insecticide, it’s always best to seek the help of pest control experts. If you want to deal with things on your own, do it safely. If you plan to use a chemical spray like Miss Muffet’s Revenge Spider Killer, make sure you follow all the instructions carefully. Read the label and pay strict attention to all the warnings. Suppose you opt for a safer, non-toxic approach to spider control. In that case, you can spray around your home or office the natural spider repellent we mentioned earlier.
11. Use a glue trap Web-building spiders that spend a lot of time along the ceiling aren’t likely to fall victim to a glue trap, but these are really effective against ground-dwelling house spiders such as the jumping spider. If you don’t have time to make a DIY spider trap, you can purchase a sticky trap from the store. You would want to place it in dark areas and along edges around your home, and at least 5 to 10 feet apart from each other if you plan to put several ones.
Learn more: What Do Spiders Eat?
The Trusted Pest Control Company Is Here to Help
Spider control isn’t an easy task, even for Miss Muffet’s Revenge. There’s no instant solution, and it requires a lot of time and effort, not to mention patience and persistence. It’s also not safe, especially if you deal with poisonous spider species like the brown recluse spider and the black widow spider. An excruciating spider bite isn’t something you would want to experience in your life.
You don’t have to compromise your safety. We’re here to help. At Midway Pest Management, we’re committed to solving your pest problems and making sure they never return. Give us a call today to schedule a free inspection.