Many will agree that spiders are not very welcome in our homes. Whether inside or outside the house, for some people simply these bugs, and of any species, are detestable and they do everything not to have them around using sprays to scare them away or to eliminate them. But those sprays have unpleasant odors and contain harmful chemicals. Read on for some ideas on how you can repel spiders in the home in an environmentally friendly way, based on some natural remedies.
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9 natural remedies to repel spiders
All spiders have their taste buds on the tips of their legs and there are certain smells that they hate, so an effective way to get rid of them ecologically is by using certain smells that make them withdraw from wherever they are at home. These natural repellants are best sprayed around doors and windows and in the corners of rooms, which is where they tend to accumulate.
We offer you nine natural remedies to repel any spider that is currently a plague in your home.
Mint
Did you know that spiders hate mint? An easy way to keep them out of your space is to fill a spray bottle with tap water and add 10-15 drops of peppermint essential oil. Shake and smell to make sure the water smells minty, if not add a few more drops. Then you just have to spray the mint water into the cracks and holes where spiders can enter your home.
Spiders don’t like peppermint oil. The strong smell will send them running in the other direction and away from your house.
For an even more powerful remedy add a drop or two of peppermint oil to a cotton swab and place in areas where spiders enter. It’s as simple as that! With that you will avoid the annoying spiders and as a bonus, your house will have a rich smell.
Clean
The cheapest and most organic way to repel spiders naturally is to keep your home clean, tidy, and free of dust or cobwebs. Vacuum regularly, dust, and clean up clutter by removing anything that gets in the way or doesn’t need to be, that will keep any insects out.
The use of vinegar
White vinegar has dozens of effective uses around the house, and repelling spiders is one of them. Repel spiders with vinegar is very similar to repel them with peppermint oil, so fill a spray bottle with vinegar and water, and spray all the cracks and crevices around your house (see recipe below).
Lean on your cats to scare away spiders
Cats are a “headache” for these little critters. These furry friends can be great hunters and they certainly don’t let any spider crawl on the ground without first going for it.
Don’t let them in
A great way to keep spiders out of your home is to not let them in in the first place. Make sure the exterior of your house has grass cuttings, is clear of leaves, stacked wood, or any other prominent spider hangouts. You can also check all the window and door openings to make sure there is no room for them to enter, and apply caulk when necessary.
Citrus
It is common knowledge that these little critters loathe all things citrus fruit. Rubbing citrus peels in areas where spiders are known to frequent, such as edges, window frames, and shelves, is a great way to prevent them from forming. Even using lemon-scented furniture polish can keep spiders away. Also mixing natural citrus juice with water in a spray bottle can work effectively.
Cedar also keeps them out of your house
Cedar can be a great deterrent for spiders to settle. You can use cedar mulch around the perimeter of your home to keep it from getting inside. If you have a cedar trunk or cedar hangers to use in your closet, this is a good option as well. Using cedar boards or shavings on the inside of cabinets or drawers can make them think twice about getting there too.
Chestnuts
Chestnuts are known to scare away spiders, so placing a few on your window frames or along the edges can keep spiders out there. Many people also believe that the same can be done with an Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera). You can keep osage chestnuts and oranges in the house for a long time before they rot, so it’s worth a try.
Tobacco
It sounds weird, but spiders don’t like tobacco at all. Small pieces of tobacco can be sprinkled where the spiders are bothering, or the tobacco can be mixed in water and then sprayed on the mixture. However, tobacco is quite expensive these days, so you can probably find a more affordable solution.
Natural repellent for spiders with vinegar and mint
As we have already mentioned, spiders do not like peppermint oil or vinegar, so, with this recipe with these two ingredients, we will achieve a more powerful formula for our goal of driving them away.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of white vinegar
- 1 1/2 cups of water
- 20 drops of peppermint essential oil (eucalyptus oil supposedly works, too, but I find peppermint a more pleasant scent.)
- Spray bottle
Instructions:
- Mix all the ingredients in a solution.
- Transfer the solution to a spray bottle.
- Spray windows and doorways with the solution.
Spicy repellent for spiders with vinegar and chili
This is a recipe also made with vinegar, but with an ingredient that in combination with vinegar has an excellent effect to remove spiders from your space.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of vinegar
- 2 tablespoons chili powder or hot chili sauce
- 1/4 gallon of water
Shake until the ingredients are well mixed. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle. This is a very effective natural spray.
Other natural remedies to drive away spiders
Garlic – Put a few cloves of garlic in a spray bottle and add water. Let stand and spray in places where cobwebs accumulate.
Tomato leaves – Grind tomato leaves with half a liter of water and a tablespoon of cornstarch. Strain the resulting mixture and put it in a spray bottle. Spray through windows and doors and places where they usually go.