How To Get Rid Of Spiders Inside The House

Okay, friend. Let’s talk about the uninvited, eight-legged guests that treat your home like their personal jungle gym. You know the ones: spiders. They drop from ceilings, scurry across baseboards, and wait in the corner of the shower to give you a heart attack at 6 AM. Sound familiar? You don’t need an exterminator with a hazmat suit—just you, a little strategy, and a sense of humor.

First, a tiny reality check

I know, I know. You want them gone. But most spiders are actually helpful. They eat mosquitoes, flies, and that one moth that’s been dive-bombing your lamp. But tell that to your brain when one rappels onto your pillow, right? We’re not here to start a war against nature. We’re here to re-home these party crashers—preferably far, far away.

So put down the shoe. Breathe. We’re doing this the smart way. No screaming necessary (but hey, if you need to scream, scream into a pillow first).

Step one: Make your house boring to spiders

Spiders are lazy hunters. Seriously. They don’t want to work for their dinner. They want a buffet of bugs conveniently located near a dark corner. Your mission? Cut off the food supply. Vacuum corners, under furniture, and behind the fridge. That dust bunny? That’s a spider’s all-you-can-eat diner.

Also, seal the cracks. Check windows, doors, and where pipes come through walls. If a spider can slide a credit card through, it can squeeze through. Use caulk or weather stripping. It’s boring, but so is finding a daddy longlegs in your cereal bowl.

And please, for the love of late-night snacks, don’t leave crumbs out. Crumbs attract ants and roaches. Ants and roaches attract spiders. You are basically putting out a welcome mat that says “Dinner’s served, eight-legged friend.”

Step two: Smell like a spider repellent

Spiders have a strong sense of smell. No, they don’t need a candle for ambiance. They just really hate certain scents. Peppermint oil is their kryptonite. Mix ten drops of peppermint essential oil with water in a spray bottle. Spritz it along baseboards, windowsills, and in dark corners. It smells like a candy cane exploded in your house—but spiders despise it.

Vinegar works too. Straight white vinegar in a spray bottle. Yes, your home will smell like a pickle factory for an hour, but spiders will pack their tiny bags and leave. Just test on a hidden spot first—vinegar can mess with some finishes.

Chestnuts. Literal chestnuts. I’m not making this up. Some people swear that placing horse chestnuts (conkers) in corners sends spiders running. Is it science? Barely. But do you want to argue with a chestnut in the middle of the night?

Step three: Declutter like you’re Marie Kondo for bugs

Spiders love boxes, piles of laundry, and the Gap sweater you haven’t worn since 2012. They see clutter as luxury condos. Go through your stuff. Get rid of cardboard boxes—they’re basically spider hotels. Use plastic bins with tight lids instead.

Also, move your firewood away from the house. I know, it looks rustic. But spiders (and centipedes, and earwigs) love hiding in log piles. Keep wood at least 20 feet from your door. Or just accept that burning wood means burning spider Airbnb properties.

And clean out your garage and attic. I know, it’s a lot. But every old box, every dusty shoe—that’s a web waiting to happen. Channel your inner cleaning rage. You got this.

Step four: The humane (and hilarious) trap

If you still see a spider doing its best Spiderman impression on your ceiling, don’t panic. Grab a cup and a stiff piece of paper. Trap the spider gently against the wall. Slide the paper under the cup. Now you have a spider in a cup. Congratulations, you’re a spider catcher.

Walk outside. I mean outside, not the porch. Release the spider on a bush or under a rock. It’ll be fine. It’ll find a better home—maybe in your neighbor’s garage. (Kidding. Sort of.)

If you’re too squeamish? Get a spider vacuum attachment. Yes, they exist. Or just use the hose of your vacuum. Suck them up, then quickly remove the bag or empty the canister outside. No harm, no foul. Just a very confused spider zipping through a tube.

Step five: The dramatic final stand

If all else fails, bribe the spiders. No, not with money. With disappointment. Spiders hate LED lights left on at night—they attract fewer bugs. So leave a porch light off. Or use yellow “bug lights” that are less attractive to insects.

You can also get a sticky glue trap and place it behind furniture. It’s not pretty, but it’s effective. Just check it regularly so you don’t find a desiccated spider museum. (Also, keep pets and kids away from those traps—sticky is not good for furry friends.)

And if none of this works? Accept that you share your home with a few tiny, leggy roommates. They’re paying their rent in mosquito control. You’re paying yours in panic screams. It’s a fair trade.

One last thing

You’re not alone in this. Every single person reading this has done the “spider dance”—that weird, flailing shuffle when you spot one on the floor. It’s human nature. Your house can be a spider-free-ish zone. It just takes a little effort, a little peppermint oil, and a cup for relocations.

Now go. Spray. Seal. Declutter. And if you see a spider right now? Just wave. Tell it you’re taking back your space. Firmly, but with a smile. You’ve got this.