How To Get Rid Of House Spiders

Let’s be honest: finding a spider skittering across your pillow at 2 a.m. is the kind of plot twist nobody asked for. You’re not alone in this—around 100% of homes have spiders, according to entomologists, and most of them are just as eager to avoid you as you are to avoid them. But that doesn’t mean you have to cohabitate with eight-legged roommates who never pay rent.

The good news? You don’t need a hazmat suit or a can of nuclear-strength poison. Getting rid of house spiders is actually about changing their real estate vibe—making your home feel less like a five-star bug hotel and more like a minimalist loft they’d rather leave.

First, Know Your Enemy (and Give Them a Little Credit)

Before you declare war, remember that spiders are nature’s pest control. They eat mosquitoes, flies, and pantry moths—the actual villains of your kitchen. In fact, a single spider can consume 2,000 insects a year, which is basically a full-time job in bug management.

That said, you don’t have to host a biodiversity sanctuary. Most common house spiders (like the cellar spider or the daddy longlegs) are harmless, but their webs and sudden appearances are a vibe killer. So let’s proceed with a strategy of gentle eviction, not genocide.

Tip #1: Starve Them Out (No Buffet, No Guests)

Spiders follow food. If your home is a buffet for flies, ants, or silverfish, you’re essentially running a spider-friendly diner. Start by keeping your kitchen crumbs-free and your trash cans sealed. Wipe down counters with a vinegar and water mix—spiders hate the smell, and it disrupts the scent trails of their prey.

Don’t forget to check your houseplants. Overwatered soil attracts gnats, and gnats attract jumping spiders. A simple layer of sand or pebbles on top of the soil can block their breeding ground.

Tip #2: Seal the Velvet Rope

Spiders are masters of infiltration. They slip through cracks under doors, gaps around windows, and even the tiny holes where pipes enter your walls. Grab a tube of silicone caulk and seal every crack you can see—especially around baseboards and electrical outlets.

Fun fact: A spider’s body can compress to one-tenth its size to squeeze through gaps. That’s like you fitting through a keyhole. So be thorough. Weatherstripping on doors isn’t just for energy savings—it’s a spider bouncer.

Tip #3: Repel with Scent (and a Little Sass)

Spiders have a strong sense of smell—and they’re picky. They hate peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, and citrus. Mix 10-15 drops of essential oil with water in a spray bottle, and mist corners, windowsills, and baseboards. Refresh it once a week, and you’ll create an invisible “no vacancy” sign.

Pro tip: Place dried cedar chips or chestnuts in closets and drawers. Not only do they smell great, but spiders also find the texture unpleasant to walk on—like crawling over a scratchy wool sweater.

Tip #4: Declutter Like Marie Kondo, but Spider-ier

Spiders love dark, undisturbed spaces: cardboard boxes, piles of laundry, stacks of old magazines. If your home is a spider’s paradise of clutter, you’re basically offering free rent in a cozy condo. Swap cardboard boxes for plastic storage bins with tight lids—spiders can’t chew through plastic.

Also, move your bed at least six inches from the wall. Spiders often use walls as highways, and that gap gives them one less bridge to your sleeping face. (Yes, your face. I know, sorry.)

Tip #5: The DIY Spider Vacuum

Sometimes, you just need to remove the existing residents. Instead of squishing them (which can release eggs or attract ants), invest in a vacuum with a hose attachment. Suck them up, then immediately empty the canister outside. Or, for a classier option, use a glass and a piece of stiff paper to catch and release—preferably in the garden, not the neighbor’s yard.

Fun fact: Some cultures consider killing a spider in the home to bring bad luck. In Russia, it’s said to bring rain; in African folklore, it’s a sign of a coming visitor. So if you’re superstitious, just carry them out with dignity.

The Great Outdoors Strategy

Prevention begins outside. Trim bushes and tree branches that touch your house—spiders use them as bridges. Move firewood and compost piles at least 20 feet from your foundation. And install yellow or LED “bug lights” on your porch; they attract fewer insects, which means fewer spiders hanging around for a snack.

One last outdoor hack: spray a ring of diatomaceous earth (the food-grade kind) around your home’s foundation. It’s a fine powder that dehydrates spiders and insects without chemicals. It’s like drawing a moat around your castle, but for bugs.

A Cultural Pause: Spiders in the Zeitgeist

Remember “Charlotte’s Web”? E.B. White gave spiders a PR makeover. In many cultures, they’re symbols of patience, creativity, and weaving your own destiny. Even The Hobbit has those giant spiders, but Bilbo uses wit, not weapons, to outsmart them. The lesson? You can coexist without coexistence being awkward.

Plus, spider silk is stronger than steel by weight—scientists are using it to make biodegradable fishing lines and even surgical sutures. So, while you might not want one dangling above your breakfast, you can respect the engineering.

Final Reflection: A Room with a Web

Getting rid of house spiders isn’t about fear—it’s about setting boundaries. Your home is your sanctuary, and you have every right to curate its guests. But as you lower the population, remember that nature is just doing its thing. A spider in the corner might be a sign that your home is alive, breathing, and part of a larger ecosystem.

So caulk the cracks, mist the peppermint, and sleep easy. And if one brave little spider still makes it inside? Maybe just give it a name—and then gently show it the door.