What Keeps Spiders Away? Natural Solutions for a Spider-Free Home
Alright, let’s cut to the chase: What Keeps Spiders Away? The answer, like that sinking feeling you get when a spider the size of your hand decides to chill on your bathroom mirror, is one part frustration, three parts DIY solution. I’ve been there—woken up to a creepy-crawly in the corner of my living room, heart racing, and internally screaming, “Why are you in MY space?!”
But after many failed attempts and a few (okay, several) nights of sleep with one eye open, I finally figured out how to create a spider-free zone without resorting to nuclear-level pesticides. And let me tell you, it doesn’t involve burning your house down or calling in an exorcist.
Let’s get into it.
Why Do Spiders Even Come Inside?
Before I get all Rambo on those little legs, let’s talk about why What Keeps Spiders Away even show up. Picture this: warm, cozy corners. Dark, undiscovered spaces behind your couch. A buffet of bugs everywhere. Spiders are sneaky little opportunists, and your home is their five-star hotel, especially if there’s plenty of food—aka insects—around. They’re like that one friend who always crashes at your place when their Wi-Fi goes out.
Oh, and fun fact? What Keeps Spiders Away are way less interested in attacking you than they are in just being left alone to do their spider thing. But that doesn’t mean you want them setting up shop next to your favorite Netflix spot. So, What Keeps Spiders Away? Glad you asked.
1. Essential Oils: Nature’s “Get Lost” Spray
If you’re thinking, “This sounds like the beginning of a Pinterest DIY,” you’re not wrong. But hear me out. I was skeptical, too, until I tried peppermint oil—now I’m a convert.
Spiders despise peppermint oil. And when I say “despise,” I mean it’s like the smell of an ex showing up at your door uninvited. Too much. Too strong. They flee.
So here’s the deal: mix 10-15 drops of peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle, give it a good shake, and spray it around windowsills, doorways, and other spider-prone zones. Also? The house smells hella fresh, like a Christmas tree that’s still got its zest.
If peppermint isn’t your jam, lavender’s another one spiders hate. Lavender’s basically the spa day of essential oils. Soothing for you, terrifying for your arachnid foes.
Pro Tip: If you’re in the mood for a DIY vibe, dunk a cotton ball in essential oil and toss it in the corners of your room. It’ll work better than that one “spider-b-gone” plug-in you bought from Walmart.
2. Vinegar: A Sneaky, Smelly Hero
Now, vinegar is that “good ol’ reliable” ingredient you probably already have in your kitchen. And trust me, when you’re trying to keep spiders at bay, it’ll do the job without turning your home into a lab experiment gone wrong.
I learned this the hard way—during a spider sighting in my garage that ended with me nearly shattering a jar of peanut butter while trying to get away from a particularly aggressive spider. (I know, I know—don’t judge me). Vinegar’s strong, vinegary odor is like the “No Entry” sign for What Keeps Spiders Away.
Mix up a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, then spray it on cracks, windows, and places you’ve spotted a web. The vinegar will not only act as a spider repellent, but it’ll also help clean up spider webs you missed (I’ll admit it—there were plenty of those).
Side note: I’ll be the first to admit, after I sprayed vinegar everywhere, the house smelled like a salad for a couple of hours. But hey, it’s better than a room full of creepy crawlies, right?
3. Chestnuts: This is Not a Joke
Okay, I swear I’m not pulling your leg here. Chestnuts. Yes, chestnuts.
I didn’t believe it either when my friend Jessie told me she swore by them. But then, my neighbor Dave walked past my porch one day with a handful of chestnuts. I was like, “Alright, what are you—an old-timey character from a Charles Dickens novel?”
Apparently, chestnuts release a smell that What Keeps Spiders Away don’t like. It’s subtle, but effective. Jessie even went so far as to place chestnuts around her home, in corners, near doorways, and under furniture. Guess what? She’s been spider-free for two years.
Moral of the story? Sometimes, the old ways are the best ways. So, grab a handful of chestnuts and place them strategically around your house. I don’t know why it works, but it does. And the smell? Well, I can’t say it’s good… but it’s better than having a tiny arachnid roommate.
4. Diatomaceous Earth: The Silent Assassin
Diatomaceous earth sounds like something you’d find in your uncle’s basement—dusty, chalky, and vaguely ominous. But let me tell you, it’s an unsung hero in the spider-fighting world.
It’s a natural powder made from tiny, fossilized aquatic organisms (sounds terrifying, right?). When sprinkled in areas where spiders like to hang out, it gets into their exoskeletons and dries them out, leading to a quick death.
It’s totally safe for humans and pets, though, so don’t stress. I found it at my local garden center, and a light dusting in corners, along baseboards, and around windows is all it takes. Word of warning: it’s a dust, so if you’re allergic to dust or have asthma, maybe skip this one or wear a mask.
5. Citronella: Mosquito-Repellent, Spider-Killer
You probably associate citronella with summer barbecues and mosquito sprays, but did you know it’s a nightmare for spiders, too? I didn’t, until one fateful evening when my neighbor Sharon decided to light a citronella candle and—boom—no spiders for two months.
Citronella works by throwing off a scent that disorients insects, including spiders. You can burn citronella candles in rooms where spiders tend to gather. I’ve had one sitting on my windowsill all summer—honestly, it’s more of a vibe now than anything else.
6. Cedarwood: Keep ‘Em Out, in Style
Alright, so this one’s a bit more “vintage charm” than some of the others. Cedarwood is a classic, and there’s a reason people have been using it for centuries. I tried it after hearing my aunt mention it for the umpteenth time while she was re-organizing her cedar chest. “You should get some cedarwood for your place,” she said.
Turns out, she’s right. Spiders hate it. And bonus? Cedarwood adds a lovely, woodsy scent to your home. Not that my place smelled bad before (it didn’t), but now it’s like I live in a cabin in the woods… minus the spiders.
Grab cedarwood blocks or chips, place them around your house (especially in dark corners, under furniture, or near doors), and you’re good to go. Also, you can use cedarwood essential oil in a diffuser for an added layer of protection.
7. Clean Like You’ve Never Cleaned Before
One of the most overlooked methods for keeping What Keeps Spiders Away out is a simple one: clean your house. Like, really clean. I don’t mean toss a couple of socks in the laundry and call it a day. I’m talking vacuuming under the couch, wiping down window sills, and removing the spider webs from the corners of the ceiling that have been there since last Christmas. (Whoops).
Look, spiders love mess. The more clutter, the more places they can hide, so if you want to keep them out, you’ve gotta make it less appealing for them. Plus, regular cleaning removes any food sources (aka bugs) that spiders might want to snack on.
And speaking of snack… quick shout-out to my old, uninvited friend, Dust Bunny, who decided to take up residence under my coffee table for about a month. You’re gone now.
The Bottom Line: Keeping What Keeps Spiders Away Is a Lifestyle
In the battle to keep spiders out of your home, there are a lot of tools in your toolbox. Whether it’s the ol’ standbys like peppermint oil and vinegar or the unexpected winners like chestnuts and cedarwood, the key is consistency. Just like how I keep forgetting where I put my keys, but eventually figure it out. Eventually, you’ll get your routine down, and spiders will be the least of your worries.
Anyway, the kicker here is that you don’t need to go full chemical warfare on these little critters. The solutions are simple, affordable, and—dare I say—kinda fun. It’s like a DIY project, but instead of a Pinterest fail, you actually win. Go on, try it out. Your house will thank you… and so will your peace of mind.
