Keeping Spiders from Your House

[Weedygarden]

I wasn't sure if this should go in with spider bite damage, but I thought it would be better to have a separate thread.

https://geartrench.com/how-to-keep-spiders-away/
How to Get Rid of Spiders Web
The spider makes web to catch their prey, and it's not a very pleasing sight to have it inside the home.
Spider webs are not very difficult to remove, but it's sticky and makes a mess if you don’t handle it properly. The most common way to remove a spider web from a house is to vacuum it.
By using a handheld vacuum cleaner, you can suck up the spider web from the house. You will find spider webs mostly around the house corners.
Pay close attention to furniture or old artifacts which are not used regularly. If after vacuum there is any leftover spider web, use a lint roller or dust brush to clean it up.
Tip: Look for the dark and obscure areas as those are the places where spiders make their web to catch its prey.
For any hard to reach places, use a big stick and wrap some cloth around it and brush up the spider web. You can also use a sock to tie it up at the end of the stick.
How to Get Rid of Spider Eggs
Spider eggs come in different shape and sizes as spider wraps the egg inside the web silk. These eggs often look fluffy, white round ball.
Each egg sac contains thousands of eggs insides it. Sometimes these spider eggs stuck to the wall or furniture and can’t be vacuumed.
So, use some sharp object such as screwdriver, or pen to move the egg sack around. It will make it loose from the object it's attached to.
Place a paper underneath the egg sack as it makes it easier to clean and reduces the chance of eggs blown away.

For any severe spider infestation such as for eggs of poisonous spider species, you don’t want to handle it yourself without wearing protective equipment.


If you are not trained, consult professional exterminator to help you remove the toxic spider eggs.

Once you remove the spider egg from the house, dispose of it properly by sealing it in a bag. If you use a vacuum cleaner, empty it outside the house.

How to Keep Spiders Away From the House
There're so many reasons you don’t want spiders in your home. Although most of the spider species don’t harm humans, but some species are poisonous.

Most often it’s hard to identify the spider species by the average person but no one like the spider in their house anyway.

Fortunately, spiders live outside the house as they get lots of prey outside the home. But as winter comes, the garden spiders migrate to a warmer place such as home indoors where they get lots of insects to feed on.


These spider migrations happen from outdoor to inside the home in the fall. And this is the time you may see the increased sight of spiders inside the house.

 

[Weedygarden]

Here are some very effective ways you can keep spiders out of your house naturally.
1. Peppermint Oil
Spiders don’t like the strong smell of peppermint oil. Spiders use tiny hairs on their leg to sense vibration and smell. The strong odor of peppermint oil overwhelms the spider.
Many insecticides use peppermint oil as one of the ingredients for spider repellent sprays. The peppermints and other essential oils contain a chemical called monoterpenoids, which are fumigants and have insecticidal properties.
So how to use peppermint oil to repel spiders?
Here is the peppermint based natural spider spray recipe


Peppermint Based Natural Spider Repellent Recipe

• 
  Take a 16-ounce spray bottle and put five drops of peppermint oil in it
• 
  Fill the bottle with water
• 
  Put 6 to 7 drops of dish soap
• 
  Tight the spray bottle cap and apply where required
• 
  Use once a week or every other few days

You can also plant a peppermint plant in a small pot and place it around the corner where the spiders are present.
Don’t inhale peppermint oil as it may cause light head, nausea, or dizziness. Spray as it’s needed and keep the windows and door open after spray.
You can buy the peppermint essential oil and spray bottle from here.

2. Vacuum The Spider Web
A vacuum is the most effective tool to remove spider webs and spider eggs with ease. You can extend the vacuum hose length to reach higher ceilings or under the furniture to remove spider webs or suck spider.

Be careful when you empty the vacuum box as you don’t want spider eggs to be blown off. Empty the vacuum box in a plastic bag outside the house. Don’t forget to vacuum behind the couch or cupboard as it's often more challenging to clean on these places.

3. Clean Your Home
Spiders don’t like to be in open and often hide at corners or tight spaces. Regularly keeping your house organized and cleaned will reduce the chance for the spider to put a web.

Regular cleaning also removes the dust and other small food particles which attracts small insects, which causes the spider to follow them.

Use clean and smooth glass containers rather than card box containers. The transparent and slippery glass surface makes it difficult for the spider to climb on it or build a web.

Don’t leave trash inside the house for an extended time. And don’t let it pile. If possible, place dumpster outside the home. Also trim the grass in the garden with an electric string trimmers to have less hiding space for spiders outside the house.

4. Vinegar
Vinegar has so many benefits, and its acetic acid composition is very effective spider repellent. It works the same way as an essential oil but doesn’t have any side effect using it.

To make vinegar natural insect repellent, take a spray bottle and fill it with half white vinegar and the rest with water. Then spray it wherever you find the spider. Be careful while spraying around furniture as it may affect the polish on it.

Spray vinegar outside your house at any corners and cracks from where you see the insects and spiders getting inside the house.

The vinegar is an excellent alternative to essential oil since it doesn’t smell.

5. Hair Spray
If you see a spider web with a spider in it, and you don’t want to use bug spray, then you can use hair spray to immobilize it.

Hair spray is very viscous, and a close blast of hair spray will temporarily immobilize the spider. You can then either kill it or put it in a bag and safely dispose of.

6. Plant Eucalyptus Trees
Have you seen those tall eucalyptus trees plant?

These are native to Australia and have stiff oily and smelly leaves. The good thing is that the spiders don’t like the smell of eucalyptus and planting it around the garden and house will keep the spiders away. Especially during fall migration when spiders look for a warm place.

You can also use eucalyptus essential oils which you can use in a diffuser inside the home. It fills the house with a pleasing aroma while keeping spiders away.

7. Turn Off Outdoor Lights
Light attracts small insects and flies. You may have noticed the flies and insects crawling around the street light or even outdoor lights of your house.

Spiders don’t care about the lights, but they care about the food. The spider gets naturally attracted to places where it can find the abundant natural diet and the bright lights at night are one such place.

When not needed, turn off the outdoor light. This will not attract the insects and flies anymore and keep the spider away. For indoor lights, use thick opaque shades and blinds. It will make the indoor light not to be quite visible from outside to insects.

If you must use a light, then use a low power light or yellow sodium vapor light which is less attractive to insects and flies.

 

[Weedygarden]

8. Horse Chestnuts
Horse chestnuts conkers contain a natural oil which spider don’t like. Place the chestnuts around the room or the areas where you have the spider problem.

Placing chestnuts near the entry places of your house, such as near windowsills or doors, will repel the spiders to get inside the home.

Make sure you clean the home and remove any strong fragrance which may mask the chestnut odor first before placing it inside.

Don’t get confused between chestnuts and conkers. They both look the same but are very different.

The chestnuts are edible and sweet. But horse chestnuts, also known as conkers, are toxic. It contains a poisonous chemical called Aescin, and should not be eaten. So be careful when using conkers around the house, so pet or small children don’t accidentally swallow it.

9. Cedar
Cedar is a common tree in North America. Its wood has a powerful fragrance. You may like the smell of it, but spiders don’t.

This is good, as you can use cedar woods or chips which you can place in a bag or hang it around the closet. This will keep the spiders away from your clothes and closets.

Cedar essential oil is a good alternative if using cedar mulch is not practical for you.

10. Pet
Pets are fun to have around children and makes an excellent company. Pet, especially cat, roam around the house and goes through every nook and corner of the house. These are very curious and chase away anything which moves.

It may not be an efficient option if your home is infested with spiders. But pet will keep some of the spiders away.

11. Tobacco Leaves
Well, we are not talking here tobacco, which is in the cigarette. As these tobaccos are chemically treated and very harmful.

We are talking here about tobacco leaves. You can buy tobacco leaves and place it where spiders gather. This will deter spider from coming around those areas.

For more effectiveness, you can grind and make a paste of tobacco leave and mix it with water. You can then put it in a spray bottle and use it as natural spider repellent spray.

You also have an option to knead tobacco leave with flour and place it around the house to keep spider away.

12. Baking Soda
You may already have a Baking Soda in your house which you use for cleaning purposes. The Baking Soda typically keep the ants and smaller insects out, but it’s a good spider repellent too.

Sprinkle it around the house and areas where spider gathers and you will get rid of it in no time.

 

[Weedygarden]

13. Turmeric
Turmeric is a common food ingredient and spice used in many cuisines. It has several medicinal properties, which is good for your health.

But turmeric is also good spider repellent. It has a strong smell and taste which spiders don’t like much. Sprinkle turmeric powder around the spider prone area or buy turmeric stick and place it there.

For a more effective solution, make a turmeric paste by mixing it with water and apply it around the house. Turmeric has an intense yellow color, so be aware of that when using.

14. Ladybugs
The ladybugs which you often see in the garden with a bright black dot is an excellent spider controller. Ladybugs don’t eat spiders, but it eats insects which is a food of spider. The main difference is that ladybugs are far more efficient insect catcher than spiders.

A presence of ladybugs reduces the insect supply to spiders. It forces the spider to leave to find its food somewhere else. Plus, ladybugs eat insects such as caterpillars and larvae which destroy garden plants.

Maintaining a welcoming environment for Ladybugs in the garden will help you maintain a lush green garden while keeping spiders at bay.

15. Wash Fruits And Cover Food
Spiders get attracted to insects and flies as these are its food. Fruits, especially ripe fruits, and open food attract flies and insects.

Keeping your food covered and by adequately washing and placing it in a sealed bag will not only keep your food free from contaminants but also keep flies and insect away.

Since there won’t be as many flies or insect in the house, the spider will have no reason to be there.

16. Garlic
Garlic has an overpowering pungent smell. It tastes good and commonly used in various cuisines. But spiders don’t like the strong smell of garlic.

This makes garlic to be a natural spider repellent without having any side effects.


Garlic Based Natural Spider Repellent Recipe

• Mince or crush 4 or 5 garlic bulbs, and wrap it in a cloth
• 
  Squeeze it harder to get garlic juice
• 
  Drop the garlic juice in a spray bottle and spray it around the corners, floors or areas where you have a spider problem
• 
  Use once a week or every other few days

17. Fill The Outside Crack
Spiders need a space to get in the house, and it doesn’t have to be a door. Spiders can get inside through tiny small cracks or gap in the door. Cover the door gaps, so there is no space when you close the door.

Walk around the house and locate the cracks or gaps. Use a caulking gun to seal the holes. Most of the time, the apparent crack locations are around the basement windows and corners.

18. Diatomaceous Earth Powder
Diatomaceous Earth is also known as DE, which is a white powdery substance derived from fossils of a tiny sea creature called diatoms.

DE is safe to use, and it completely eliminates the spider. Spray the diatomaceous earth powder around the house and the areas where the spiders often visit.

When spiders walk over the DE powder, it gets stuck to its body. The DE powder is very reactive, and it cuts and adheres to the skin of the spider. The spider leaks the bodily fluids which get absorbed by the DE powder. This causes the spider to die eventually.

It's not very harmful to humans when handled in smaller quantity. But as a precaution, wear protective clothing such a glove and breathing mask when handling diatomaceous earth powder.

19. Bleach
Bleach is very effective homemade spider repellent. You may already have bleach at home which you can use to make homemade pesticide.

Spray the bleach into areas where you see spiders and the spider should be gone soon. Be careful when using bleach around the fabrics or carpets as it may cause discoloration.

Cover the fabrics or carpet with a plastic material to prevent it from any damage.

20. Lavender
Lavender has many benefits, and one of its advantages is the excellent spider and insect repelling ability. Plus, lavender has a very pleasing smell. So, you can use it indoors.

Lavender Natural Spider Repellent Recipe

• 
  Add a couple of drops of lavender essential oil into a 16 oz spray bottle.
• 
  Add water and one tablespoon liquid soap or dishwasher
• 
  Shake it to mix it together and then spray it around the problem area
• 
  Use as needed till you get rid of spider problem

21. Citrus
Citrus fruits such as orange and lemons contain acetic acids which spiders hate.

To use it, cut and squeeze a couple of lemons and oranges, collect the juice and put in the spray bottle with water in it. Then spray it around the places where you see spiders.

You can also peel the fruit and rub it around the places you see a spider. You can leave even sliced lemons and oranges at problem areas and replace it in a day or two as it gets dry.

If that's too much work or need something more potent, then consider buying the citrus essential oil which has a far stronger odor.

 

[Weedygarden]

How To Keep Spiders Away From Your Bed
Imagine spiders crawling on your bed while you sleep. It's very creepy thought regardless of whether you are scared of a spider or not.

None of us like a spider walking on their bed at night. There are many things you can do to keep the spider away from your bed.

The most important thing is to keep your bedroom clean. The clean area has fewer flies and insects for spider to catch. The spider avoids hanging around where there is no food.

If you have serious spider infestation issue, then you can buy pest repellent sprays or take professional pest exterminator service.


Following the above-suggested method of using peppermint oil spray and other spider repellent ideas will easily keep spider away from your bed.

Here are some practical, easy steps you can take right away to get some good results.

Raise Your Bed
Raising your bed by a couple of feet up will allow small insects and flies to roam under the bed rather than climbing on the bed.

This will keep spider to hunt these insects under your bed. This will not completely solve your spider problem, but it will drastically reduce the chance of spider walking on your bed.

Place water filled small cups under the feet of the bed legs. This will make it difficult for insects and spiders to climb on to the bed. Also keep bed a bit away from the wall, as it makes it difficult for the spider to jump on the bed.

Keep The Surrounding Area Clean
Cleanliness is essential. Keeping the surrounding area clean will prevent spider making a web or having a permanent residence inside your bedroom.

Keep an eye on the spider webs under the bed and hard to reach places in the bedroom. Regularly vacuuming and dusting keeps the area clean and reduces the chance of spider to be in the bedroom.

Don’t Eat On The Bed
When you eat on the bed, there is a chance of dropping the food particles on it and the floor. If you don’t immediately clean it, there is a chance the insects will get attracted to the food crumbs which will attract spiders.

Use Citrus Candles
Citrus has a strong fragrance which spiders don’t like. Using citrus candles before going to bed releases the smell, which repels the spider to come in the bedroom.


Plus, as an added benefit, you get the pleasing citrus fragrance in the bedroom which help you with a deep relaxing sleep.

Door Sweep
Getting a proper door sweep effectively prevents the insects and spider from getting in the house. It also maintains the temperature inside the bedroom to help you lower the electricity bills.

For a door sweep, there are several products in the market. The adhesive silicone door sweep is most commonly available and is very useful in keeping spiders and insects out of the house.

Clean Bed Sheets Frequently
Frequently cleaning bed sheets will keep the dirt and dust away from the bed. This prevents the insects and spiders from getting on to the bed. Clean bed sheets are good hygiene practice and are necessary for sound sleep.

Let The Light And Air Come In
Spiders like dark places as it makes them feel safe. Opening windows and curtains and letting light and air to come in the bedroom gets rid of all the moisture and humidity from the bedroom.

This scares spiders and insects, and they retreat to a safer place. On top of that, in a proper light, you can see any spider webs or other insects which you can then remove it.

******************************

Well, this article went on much longer than I thought. There is still more! Follow the link to see the rest!

 

[Peanut]

Good topic @Weedygarden I’ve never really given this much thought. There are so many BR spiders here it’d be a losing battle (outside). I see 1 or 2 a year in the house which buys them an instant death sentence. I’ve never seen a female in the house, just wandering juvenile males. I’ve seen many BR spiders and have learned to spot male/female, males are “dainty” in appearance.

True story, I once had a pet spider. I named him Fred… lol… I had an apartment in CA but traveled 25 days a month for work. I was home for a night and noticed a tiny spider had built a tiny web in my bathroom. He’d already caught one bug. So I left him to do bug maintenance while I traveled. He lived about 8 months. I don’t know if he died, moved away or something bigger ate him.

 

[Weedygarden]

Good topic @Weedygarden I’ve never really given this much thought. There are so many BR spiders here it’d be a losing battle (outside). I see 1 or 2 a year in the house which buys them an instant death sentence. I’ve never seen a female in the house, just wandering juvenile males. I’ve seen many BR spiders and have learned to spot male/female, males are “dainty” in appearance.

True story, I once had a pet spider. I named him Fred… lol… I had an apartment in CA but traveled 25 days a month. I was home for a night and noticed a tiny spider had built a web in my bathroom. He’d already caught one bug. So I left him to do bug maintenance while I traveled. He lived about 8 months. I don’t know if he died, moved away or something bigger ate him.

How interesting.
Many people are terrified of spiders and are quick to step on them when they see them. I used to try to teach my students about the value they have. A spider might be on the floor, several of us looking at it and getting ready to capture it in a bottle or jar, and some child would come and step on it. We had identification books and magnifying glasses for close study. And then the parents would come and tell me to not tell their children about not killing spiders, because they didn't want them in their homes.

I occasionally get spider bites, and it is almost always in bed. That is where my concern is. I did have a spider bite once, before I bought my home, and had heart palpitations. That kind of changed my idea of not getting rid of spiders.

I do think I am going to make up some of these sprays for my home.

 

[zoomzoom]

Wow, they list 21 ways to get rid of spiders but my favorite didn't make the list.

Boric Acid. Harmless to humans and pets but most common bugs that crosses it is as good as dead.

Although they make "specialty" products which are labeled/marketed for killing bugs (which can get pretty expensive), I just use something like 20 Mule Team borax which is available most anywhere.

I pour it out in about 1" wide lines where the bugs like to enter or would normally visit. When they walk across it, the boric acid burns their feet. They then lick their feet to get rid of the burn and die from ingesting it. I put it in the basement on sill plates and such and since it stays dry, it'll last for years/decades. Whenever I build something or renovate where bugs may be interested, I lay the borax between the studs before hanging the drywall.

You can also mix it with water/sugar or other things to attract the bugs to the mixture instead of them having to walk across it. Search the internet for different application methods.

 

[WVDragonlady]

Me and spiders have a system worked out.
IF they stay UP they stay alive. IF they come DOWN they die.
Simple as that. Its worked well for us for many years now

I have 12 foot high ceilings. If theres a web up there, its gonna stay there half the year before I make the hubby go up the ladder to sweep it away.

 

[joel]

https://www.homesteadingforum.org/threads/spider-bite-damage.4365/#post-382246

 

[jazzy]

great thread, thannk you weedy

 

[Weedygarden]

Wow, they list 21 ways to get rid of spiders but my favorite didn't make the list.

Boric Acid. Harmless to humans and pets but most common bugs that crosses it is as good as dead.

Although they make "specialty" products which are labeled/marketed for killing bugs (which can get pretty expensive), I just use something like 20 Mule Team borax which is available most anywhere.

I pour it out in about 1" wide lines where the bugs like to enter or would normally visit. When they walk across it, the boric acid burns their feet. They then lick their feet to get rid of the burn and die from ingesting it. I put it in the basement on sill plates and such and since it stays dry, it'll last for years/decades. Whenever I build something or renovate where bugs may be interested, I lay the borax between the studs before hanging the drywall.

You can also mix it with water/sugar or other things to attract the bugs to the mixture instead of them having to walk across it. Search the internet for different application methods.

Where do you buy boric acid?

 

[Weedygarden]

great thread, thannk you weedy

You are welcome! Thank you!

 

[Spikedriver]

Osage oranges, also called hedge apples, supposedly will keep spiders away. Some of the old timers here will put them in their attics...

 

[joel]

Where do you buy boric acid?

20 mule in Laundry section of the Grocery Store, I get mine at Kroger with a 10% off card.

 

[Weedygarden]

20 mule in Laundry section of the Grocery Store, I get mine at Kroger with a 10% off card.

I have some of that. I will try it, but I also plan to make up some spray with peppermint. I read somewhere that that is good for rodent prevention as well. Daughter had mice in a building she lived in and no matter what she did, she couldn't get rid of them. My guess is that everyone in the building had them and she was not going to win that battle by herself.

 

[Aerindel]

I have never killed a spider on purpose in my entire life.

I generally prefer them to flies. If I see them out on the carpet I chase them under the sofa so they don't get stepped on.

That being said, I don't have very many spiders in my house due to its stucco walls. None of the usual cracks for them to get in through. Generally don't have any ant problems etc.

If I have a problem with an animal, I've always preferred to just build a better wall and permanently fix the problem than engage in constant warfare. Living in the country, there is a limitless reservoir of pests, from ants, to bears, outside, so the only thing that will actually keep them out, without just creating more chores for me, is a better wall.

The house I grew up in was an old fashioned, log, board and bat cabin....and it was always full of spiders, ants, and mice. No way to keep them out with that kind of construction.

Which is probably why when I built my house, I built it with seamless stucco walls, inside and out.

 

[Peanut]

I picked up 2 boxes of Borax in the big town tonight. I usually keep a box in the shop, I used to use it as a brazing/welding flux but haven't needed to weld anything in several years. It's also handy as a flux when smelting metals like gold/silver.

Now I have another use! spiders!

 

[joel]

It will stop many insects that clean they bodies, like roaches, also.
The borax will get into their systems.

 

[Peanut]

Heck, I can't keep them off my porch. This was last fall 1st pic.

I spend a lot of time in the woods. Around here in October, the woods are full of webs... 2nd pic, a tree by a pond.

 

[joel]

There is a six foot rule, that states: If you are not in a electronic clean room, then there is at least one spider every six feet.

 

[Wingnut]

Haha, try being on point in the jungle at night, you'll be chowing down on LARGE SPIDERS the whole time...

Don't ask me how I know this... at least nobody was SHOOTIN' AT US while the spider-chowing was in effect, lol.

Gotta keep that 'noise & light discipline' ratcheted down for a bit, no ugly 'rap' tunes with Sir Mix-A-Lot, AYE???