How Do You Stop Spiders Coming Into Your House

Let’s be honest: finding a spider in your house is like getting a surprise guest who doesn’t call ahead, refuses to leave, and might—just might—have a tiny, venomous agenda. You didn’t invite them, yet there they are, dangling from the ceiling like a furry little acrobat with eight eyes. The good news? You can absolutely evict them, and no, you don’t need to burn the whole place down.

First, understand your enemy (it’s not as scary as it looks)

Most house spiders are harmless and actually eat pests like mosquitoes and flies—they’re basically tiny, web-slinging exterminators. But let’s be real: knowing they’re helpful doesn’t stop your brain from screaming when one rappels onto your pillow. The secret to stopping them isn’t violence; it’s making your home unappealing, like a frat house after a bad party.

Spiders come inside for three reasons: food, shelter, and a surprisingly good Wi-Fi signal (okay, maybe not that last one). Cut off their supply lines, and they’ll wander back to the garden, grumbling about rent prices.

Step one: Seal the fortress

Imagine you’re trying to keep out a very small, very determined ninja. Spiders can squeeze through gaps the width of a credit card, so check your doors, windows, and the sad gaps where pipes enter your walls. Use caulk or weather stripping like it’s your job—spiders don’t pay rent, so you owe them zero hospitality.

One study found that the common house spider can flatten its body to a tenth of its normal height. That’s not a spider; that’s a liquid arachnid. So yes, you need to seal those tiny cracks under baseboards too.

Step two: Declutter like you’re expecting a visit from your judgmental mother-in-law

Spiders love clutter the way a raccoon loves a tipped-over trash can. Piles of cardboard boxes, old newspapers, and forgotten shoes are spider condos—all-you-can-eat buffets for silverfish and ants, which are spider groceries. Move stuff away from walls, and for heaven’s sake, stop storing firewood indoors.

If you have a basement that looks like a hoarder’s art project, consider it a spider paradise. Vacuum regularly—not just for dust, but because a vacuum is the spider’s own personal tornado. One pass and they’re gone, swirling into the noisy void.

Step three: Get rid of their snacks (yes, that means other bugs)

If your house has a thriving insect population, you’re running a spider restaurant with free delivery. Fix leaky faucets, keep your kitchen counters crumb-free, and take out the trash before it achieves sentience. Even a single fruit fly is enough to attract a spider looking for a quick bite.

Fun fact: a single spider can eat up to 2,000 insects a year—that’s impressive, but also means you’ve been subsidizing their food supply. Turn off outdoor lights at night; those lights attract moths, which attract spiders, which then invite their eight-legged cousins to a block party.

Step four: Use natural repellents (no, not your cologne)

Spiders have an intense hatred for certain smells, like a teenager facing a bowl of Brussels sprouts. Peppermint oil is their kryptonite. Mix 10-15 drops with water in a spray bottle, spritz it around windowsills and doorways, and watch them nope out faster than a raccoon in a police lineup.

Vinegar works too, but it smells like a salad that’s been marinating in regret. Citrus peels (lemon, orange) also repel them, so you can pretend you’re a fancy chef while simultaneously waging chemical warfare on arachnids.

Step five: Embrace the humane eviction policy

Look, you don’t have to kill every spider you see. If you find one, use a glass and a piece of paper—the classic “spider elevator” trick—and release it outside. But here’s the kicker: release it at least 20 feet from your house. Otherwise, that clever little guy will just walk back inside and give you the spider equivalent of a smirk.

Spiders can remember locations and even learn from past experiences. Yes, science says spiders have personalities. So if you release one five feet from your door, you’ve just given it a free tour and a grudge.

Surprising fact: You are never more than three feet from a spider

Biologists say that, on average, there’s always a spider within three feet of you, even in a clean house. That’s not a threat; it’s a peaceful coexistence. Most of them are hiding in corners, eating earwigs, and minding their own business. The real trick isn’t achieving a spider-free home—it’s keeping their numbers low enough that you don’t need to scream while brushing your teeth.

Final tip: turn your porch light off. I know it feels cozy, but that light is basically a neon sign reading “All-You-Can-Eat Insect Buffet, Spiders Welcome.” Keep your exterior lights dim or replace them with yellow bug bulbs, which attract fewer flying snacks.

And if all else fails? Get a cat. Cats are nature’s spider-bouncers—they’ll chase, pounce, and occasionally eat those eight-legged freeloaders. Plus, you get a furry excuse for why there’s a web tangled in your hair.

So go forth, seal your cracks, spray some peppermint, and reclaim your home. Just remember: the spiders outside are probably laughing at you, building a tiny web in protest, and planning their next invasion. But with these tricks, you’ll be ready—and they’ll have to find some other unlucky human to crash with.