To stop spiders from coming into your house, you can take several effective measures that focus on prevention, natural repellents, and maintaining cleanliness:
Seal Entry Points
- Inspect and seal all gaps and cracks around doors, windows, walls, pipework, and vents using caulk or weatherstripping. Spiders often enter through tiny openings, so thorough sealing is essential
Keep Your Home Clean and Decluttered
- Regularly vacuum and dust, especially in corners, under furniture, skirting boards, ceilings, and behind cupboards to remove webs and spider eggs
- Declutter storage areas like basements, lofts, and under stairs to eliminate dark, quiet spaces where spiders like to hide
Use Natural Repellents
- Spray essential oils such as peppermint, tea tree, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, or citrus oils diluted in water around windowsills, doorframes, and other entry points. Spiders dislike these strong scents
- Place natural deterrents like horse chestnuts (conkers), walnuts, or citrus peels in corners and windowsills to repel spiders
- Vinegar mixed with water can also be sprayed in crevices as spiders are sensitive to its odor
Manage Outdoor Areas
- Keep gardens tidy by removing overgrown vegetation, leaves, grass clippings, and woodpiles away from the house exterior to reduce spider habitats near your home
- Reduce outdoor lighting at night as lights attract insects, which in turn attract spiders
Additional Tips
- Keep windows and doors closed at night to prevent nocturnal spiders from entering
- Consider having pets like cats or dogs, which can help reduce the number of spiders indoors by hunting them
- Cover pet food to avoid attracting insects that spiders feed on
By combining these strategies—sealing entry points, maintaining cleanliness, using natural repellents, and managing outdoor environments—you can significantly reduce the likelihood of spiders entering and settling in your home.