Effective Natural Spider Spray Repellents to Get Rid of Spiders

Homemade natural spider sprays are easy to make yourself and are effective at repelling spiders from your home. Spiders in the home may not damage your property, but seeing an 8-legged animal scurrying across the floor can cause fright and panic. Getting rid of spiders from the home is usually best done by keeping them out in the first place. However, if some spiders do find their way inside your home, spider sprays made using natural ingredients will kill spiders naturally and repel them.

Natural spider repelling sprays are much safer and environmentally-friendly to use around the home than chemicals and harmful insecticides. Making sprays from essential oils like peppermint oil, citronella oil, and tea tree oil can help get rid of spiders from your home naturally. As well as using sprays to get rid of these annoying pests, you need to eliminate food sources and seal up any small cracks where spiders can enter the home.

Spiders often come inside homes in the fall when the weather turns cooler. However, they also enter houses in the summer when windows and doors are left open. Maybe the first sign that you have spiders in your home is cobwebs hanging from the ceilings. You could also find egg sacs in the corners of windows or furniture.

In this article, you will find out how to make your own natural sprays to get rid of spiders from your home. You will also learn about other methods to control these creepy crawlies and stop them from becoming a nuisance in your home.

Benefits of Spiders

Before we look at spraying these arachnid pests with natural insecticides, it’s helpful to know that there are some benefits to having spiders in the home.

Not all spiders are an inconvenience around the home. According to the University of Kentucky, most spiders are harmless and won’t bite unless threatened. They use their webs to catch flies and other insects. Therefore, they can help keep down populations of flying insects in your home.¹

However, most people want to get rid of spiders from their home as quickly as possible. This is especially true if you have a serious problem of house spiders or you have venomous spiders in your area.

Reasons to Get Rid of Spiders from the Home

Even though spiders catch and eat bugs and insects in your home, there are better ways at removing flying pests from the home naturally. Despite the harmless nature of most spiders and the benefit to the environment, getting rid of spiders as quickly as possible is usually the only choice for many people.

Here are 2 reasons to eliminate spiders from your home.

Fear factor

You don’t have to be a complete arachnophobe to want to kill off spiders from you home. A large spider quickly running across the floor is enough to elicit a scream or terror in many people.

Various studies have confirmed that many people feel anxious, nervous, or very frightened at the sight of an eight-legged spider on the move. One study from 2013 found that at least 30% of people have some form of arachnophobia. However, it wasn’t the fear of being bitten that caused people to reach for their slipper to kill the spider. For many, the spider’s erratic movements and their “legginess” were enough causes for alarm.²

Some are venomous

Certain species of spiders are venomous and can give you a nasty bite. Some of the most common venomous spiders are the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider, and wolf spider.

Researchers from the University of Kentucky say that black widow spiders are not as common in homes as other species of spiders. They usually lurk under furniture or large appliances. The venom from black widow spider bites can cause blood pressure to rise, sweating, and swelling around the bite. Prompt medical attention is required.¹

The bites from wolf spiders or brown recluse spiders are not as serious. They can leave you with a red, swollen, painful bump on your skin. Sometimes, ulcerous sores can develop where you were bitten and may take between 10 days and a month to heal. If you notice severe skin reactions after a spider bite, you should seek medical attention to reduce the risk of the infection getting worse.

Natural Spider Sprays and Spider Repellents

Many natural ingredients have insect and spider repellent properties. These natural sprays can be used directly on a spider as a natural insecticide. Or, some spider sprays can be used around windows, doors, and other areas to repel spiders from entering the house.

Natural spider repellent spray using essential oils

Many people have had success in getting rid of spiders using peppermint oil spider sprays mixed with other essential oils. Essential oils have chemicals that have a lethal effect on many insects, including arachnids. Also, the strong smell of peppermint oil, clove oil, and cinnamon oil repel spiders and other creepy crawlies.

The International Journal of Drug Development and Research published information on the properties of peppermint oil as an insecticide. Scientists found that peppermint oil has a strong repellent action against many insects and their larvae.³

Also, the University of Georgia reported that cinnamon oil, clove oil, and wintergreen oil are also effective ways to control pests and insects naturally.⁴

How to use:

To make your own peppermint spider spray at home to get rid of spiders, this is what you should do:

1. Fill a 16-oz. (470 ml) spray bottle with warm water almost to the top.
2. Add 7-10 drops of peppermint essential oil (or, you can use a mixture of peppermint oil, clove oil, and cinnamon oil).
3. Add a few drops of liquid dish soap and shake well to mix the ingredients.
4. Spray the natural spider repellent on entry points around your home to help keep spiders out.
5. Also, spray the peppermint oil solution in corners to help prevent spiders gathering there.
6. Reapply the natural spider spray weekly to repel spiders and other bugs that might venture into your home.

Lemon eucalyptus oil spray to repel spiders

Another essential oil that can be used as the main ingredient in DIY spider sprays is lemon eucalyptus oil. Lemon eucalyptus oil is extracted from the leaves of lemon eucalyptus trees and has a strong potent smell that spiders and other insects don’t like. However, it is pleasant for humans and can help freshen up your room.

The Malaria Journal reported on the insect-repellent properties of lemon eucalyptus oil. In the study, researchers found that lemon eucalyptus oil has a natural ability to repel various insects.⁵

How to use:

To make a homemade spider spray with lemon eucalyptus oil, this is what you should do:

1. In a spray bottle add 10 drops lemon eucalyptus oil to 16 fl oz. (470 ml) warm water.
2. Add a few drops of liquid dish soap to help mix the oil and water and shake well.
3. Use the natural spider spray around windows, doors, and other entry points to your home.
4. Spray the areas 1-2 times a week to protect entry points and keep spiders out your home.

If you can’t find lemon eucalyptus essential oil, you could use a mixture of eucalyptus essential oil and citronella. The International Journal of Drug Development and Research reports that citronella is a natural “non-toxic alternative to chemical insect repellents such as DEET.”³

You can also use a combination of eucalyptus essential oil and lemon essential oil, as citrus smells are believed to ward of spiders too.

All you have to do is make the natural spider spray by adding 5 drops citronella (or lemon essential oil), 5 drops eucalyptus oil, and a little washing-up liquid to water in a spray bottle. Spray in areas where spiders may enter your house.

Neem oil and tea tree oil insecticide spray

The potent properties of neem oil and tea tree oil together combine to make a powerful anti-spider spray to use in your home. Neem oil has a smell that spiders detest and tea tree oil is a natural insecticide that destroys insects and their larvae.

The journal Spider Ecophysiology reported that botanical products from the neem tree act as natural insecticides. Neem extracts have also been shown to be lethal to spiders. Although not as toxic to spiders as some chemical insecticides, it won’t harm humans and pets and is environmental-friendly.⁶

Adding tea tree oil to the natural spider killer spray just increases the toxicity of neem oil. The journal Veterinary Parasitology reports that tea tree oil is both an insect repellent and insecticide. In studies, solutions containing tea tree oil killed off insects, insect larvae, and caused insects to vacate areas where tea tree oil was applied.⁷

How to use:

You can make a neem oil and tea tree oil spray to quickly get rid of spiders from your home and outside in the yard. This is what you should do:

1. Fill a 16-oz. spray bottle with warm water and add a little dish soap.
2. Add 1 oz. neem oil and 5 drops of tea tree oil.
3. Spray the natural solution at all entry points to your home.
4. Use in the garden around rocks, bushes, and the foundations of your home.
5. If you see any live spiders, spray the killer spray directly on the spiders to kill them instantly.

Other Ways to Get Rid of Spiders from the Home Naturally

Apart from using natural spider sprays to eradicate 8-legged pests from your home, there are other ways to quickly get rid of spiders for good. Researchers from the University of Kentucky recommend 2 ways to effectively control spider populations:¹

• Find and destroy as many spiders as possible
• Reduce clutter and food sources for spiders in the home

For example, install tight-fitting window screens and door sweeps to prevent spiders entering your home, thoroughly clean your house on a regular basis, clip back bushes from the side of the building and remove debris.

Vacuum cleaner

One of the easiest ways to get rid of a few spiders is to vacuum the annoying insects. The Texas A&M University recommends vacuuming under and behind furniture to remove spiders. Vacuuming is also a great way to get rid of spiders that spend their time on the ceiling.⁸

Vacuuming is also a very effective and simple method to eradicate bed bugs from your bedroom, and is one of the top 10 home remedies to get rid of bed bugs naturally.

Glue boards

One easy way to exterminate spiders that prefer living on the ground and spinning webs is to use glue traps. In fact, when trying to get rid of lizards with glue traps and other pests in the house, you will undoubtedly catch a few spiders on the board.

You should place the glue board under furniture, under beds, and other hard to reach areas. If you have a large problem of spiders in your home, you will find spiders stuck to the glue traps in no time at all. Just make sure to keep the glue boards out of reach and away from pets and children.

Diatomaceous earth (DE) for spiders

If you need to get rid of a spider infestation from your house, attic, garage, or barn, you can use diatomaceous earth. DE is a naturally occurring product from the fossilized remains of a type of algae. Food grade diatomaceous earth is also non-toxic to humans and pets and can be safely used in all areas of the home for insect control.

According to the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC), diatomaceous earth works as a spider killing powder because it destroys their outer skin causing them to dehydrate and die. The powder remains effective for controlling spiders as long as it is dry. The NPIC says that diatomaceous earth is registered for use against spiders and other insects.⁹

It is important to avoid breathing in diatomaceous earth when applying to household areas. Covering your nose and mouth or wear a breathing mask when using DE to treat insects.

How to use:

Use food grade diatomaceous earth to get rid of spiders, especially large populations of spiders. This is how to use DE for spiders:

1. Lightly sprinkle food grade diatomaceous earth in areas of the house where spiders spend most of their time.
2. Check the treated areas every few days to make sure that the powder hasn’t become damp or moist. If so, dry the area and reapply.

You can also use diatomaceous earth to kill fleas, get rid of a bed bug infestation, and it can even be used as a natural treatment for intestinal parasites.

Other Unverified Methods to Get Rid of Spiders

There are some other ways of eradicating spiders from the home that many people say are effective. Although there is no scientific evidence to back up these natural spider repellents, there is anecdotal evidence that they could be useful spider control methods.

Horse chestnuts

Horse chestnuts are said to have properties that repel spiders. Many people recommend placing horse chestnuts in corners of rooms or on windowsills to prevent spiders setting up home in your house.

Baking soda

One of the ways that some people use baking soda around the home is as a spider repellent. Sprinkle baking soda around areas where you have seen spider activity. The smell should stop them from coming near the baking soda and they will find other places to live.

Homemade spider sprays

Homemade tobacco spray. You can try making your own spider killing spray by soaking a packet of chewing tobacco in a gallon of boiling water. Leave it to cool and pour a cup of the tobacco solution in a spray bottle and add 1/2 cup lemon-scented dish soap. Spray onto spiders to zap them. Or, you could form the damp tobacco into balls and place on windows sills to stop spiders entering your home.

Tomato leaf spray. Put a handful of tomato leaves in a blender and blend with 4 pints of water. Add a tablespoon of cornstarch, mix well and put into a spray bottle. Spray around areas where there has been spider activity.

Garlic spider repellent spray. If you don’t mind the smell, put 3-4 cloves of garlic in a spray bottle, add water, and leave for a couple of hours to infuse. Spray around entry areas to your home to keep the crawling pests out. The sulfuric smell is repellent to spiders and should help to keep them out of your home.

Spider repellent salt spray. Make a salt spray to kill spiders on contact. Just mix 1/2 oz. salt with 1/2 gallon of water. Mix it well to dissolve the salt. Fill a spray bottle with the salt solution and spray around doors and windows in your home. If you see a spider in the corner of your room or scurrying across the floor, spray the salt directly on it to kill it dead.

Lemon juice or vinegar spray. Add 1/2 cup of lemon juice or white vinegar and 2 tbs. of chili powder or hot chili sauce to 1 qt. (1 l) of water and shake until the ingredients are well mixed. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle to create a natural spider repellent spray.

How to Prevent Spiders in the Home

The best way to resolve a problem of eight-legged creepy crawlers taking over your house is to prevent the annoying spiders getting into your home in the first place. Here are some helpful tips to eliminate spiders:

• Keep outdoor lights off at night to avoid attracting spiders and other bugs near your home.
• Carefully examine the exterior of your home and fill up tiny cracks and crevices where spiders can enter the home or set up egg nests.
• Remove as many insects as possible from your home like ants, flies, and other bugs that spiders love to feed on.
• Don’t plant vegetation too close to your home as vegetation attracts spiders.
• Remove as much clutter as possible from attics and barns and keep storage boxes tightly sealed.

Read my other related articles:

• Wolf Spider Bite: Effective Treatment Options and Identification
• How to Get Rid of Roaches Naturally and Cheaply
• How to Naturally Get Rid of Fleas From Your Home, Garden and Pets
• How to Get Rid of Wasps Naturally

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