Home Pest Control Spiders
Toni DeBellaUpdated: Aug. 11, 2023
Arachnids in the house? No need to take revenge. These spider repellents humanely shoo away eight-legged intruders.
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Choosing Spider Repellent
Spiders are harmless and provide excellent free biological control. So says Katelyn A. Kesheimer, Ph.D., an assistant professor and extension specialist at the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Auburn University.
Though spiders prey on unwanted insects like mites, ticks and scorpions, many of us are still not keen on seeing them crawling, nesting and weaving webs around the house.
If you’re one of those people, spider repellents — whether store-bought or homemade — can help keep those creepy-crawlies out of your personal space.
Main considerations when deciding to use spider repellents
- Safety: If you’re concerned about toxicity and environmental impacts, look for natural, plant-based, organic products.
- Ease of use: Ready-to-spray repellents make application quick and easy. DIY formulations require more time to gather ingredients and mix, but may save you money.
- Effectiveness: Look for products proven to work, through studies or a strong history of excellent customer reviews.
- Scent: Repellents derived from essential oils generally smell delicious. Vinegar and chemical-based ones, not so much. When shopping for brands, look for ones with “odorless” on the label.
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Best Spider Repellent Spray
Wet & Forget Miss Muffet’s Revenge creates an invisible barrier around your home to keep spiders away without killing them.
The high-capacity sprayer features a three-inch extension hose to reach up to one foot, so there’s no need to haul out the ladder. Once dry, it drives off spiders for up to a year. One safety note, per the manufacturer: Do not use around kids or pets, because the active ingredients Bifenthrin and 2 Butoxyethanol are toxic.
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Best Cobweb Eliminator and Spider Repellent
The first step in defending your home against a spider infestation is to “get ’em where they live.” Terror Ready-to-Use Spider Cobweb Eliminator and Repellent Spray knocks out spider webs indoors and in covered outdoor areas while preventing web formation for up to 60 days.
For optimal results, remove webs with a broom or brush before spraying, which we admit is a bit of a pain.
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Best Spider Repellent For Boats
Star Brite Spider Away chases spiders from watercraft, docks, boathouses and trailers without harming bugs, people or seafaring pets. When used as directed, the repellent is safe on most marine surfaces, including metal, plastic, vinyl, wood and glass.
One five-star Amazon reviewer, Tammy Baitman, used Spider Away on her boat. “We have tried all kinds of other methods,” she writes. “This one works the best!”
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Best Spider Repellent Scent Pouches
If aerosols and liquids aren’t for you, perhaps you’d prefer EarthKind Stay Away Spiders Deterrent Pest Control Scent Pouches instead. The scent-filled sacks deter spiders while refreshing stale, dank areas of your home.
Concerned with social and environmental issues? You’ll be happy to know this award-winning company says it operates at a two percent carbon footprint, and 20% of its workforce is developmentally disabled.
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Best Homemade Spider Repellents
Essential Oils
Spiders don’t like certain smells, among them from lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree and citronella oils.
To make a natural spider repellent from any of these scented lubes, just fill an empty spray bottle with half a cup of water and about 20 drops of essential oils. Add a couple of drops of liquid dish soap to give the solution a little “stick,” then spray wherever spiders commonly hang out.
Vinegar
If you don’t mind the aroma, double down on the pest protection by spiking your essential oil concoctions with a couple of tablespoons of white vinegar.
Chestnuts
Is it a fact or myth that chestnuts repel house spiders?
According to a 2017 study testing natural spider repellent efficacy, subject spiders avoided chestnuts and peppermint oil more than 75 percent of the time. It’s also worth noting that scattering chestnuts around the house won’t result in residue left behind.
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Best Spider Repellent For Gardens
Pretty as can be, horticulturist and entomologists agree spiders hate chrysanthemums. That’s because they contain pyrethrins, a naturally occurring pesticide that’s really good at sending spiders and co*ckroaches packing. Plant in the garden, or purchase mums in 2-1/2-gallon containers in a rainbow of colors.
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Best Spider Repellent Gadget
Get up to six rooms of plug and put-off protection with the Amiaedu Ultrasonic Pest Repellers. These pest control gadgets feature ultrasonic sound wave technology to rid your home of spiders, ants, flies, mosquitoes, roaches and mice.
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Best Spider Repellent Door Sweeps
Door sweeps effectively block arachnid access to your home. Save Unicorn Self Adhesive Door Sweep Draft Stoppers are simple to install, and the strong, waterproof adhesive (included) sticks to doors in wet environments like bathrooms and exteriors.
Choose the lowest height baffle to keep spiders and other crawling pests from crossing the threshold. The sweeps are suitable for nearly any door — just custom cut to the size needed.
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Originally Published: April 18, 2023
Toni DeBella
Toni DeBella is a culture and lifestyle writer, reviews expert and DIYer covering everything from pest control to pool cabanas to painting to container gardening. For over a decade, Toni was the owner of a successful faux finishing, mural and children’s furniture business before moving to a career in writing. She lives in a medieval hill town in Italy, where her bicycle “Raoul” serves as her primary mode of transportation.
