How To Keep Spiders Out Of The House

Okay, let’s be real. Spiders are the surprise guests who never RSVP. They just show up, dangle from the ceiling, and judge your dust collection.

I get it. You’re not trying to start a spider sanctuary. You just want to watch TV without feeling like you’re in a nature documentary.

Good news: you don’t need toxic foggers or a pet tarantula to fight back. You just need a few sneaky tricks.

First, stop rolling out the welcome mat.

Spiders don’t just materialize out of thin air (though it feels like that at 3 AM). They come in through cracks, gaps, and holes you forgot existed.

Walk around your house like a paranoid detective. Grab that tube of caulk and seal every crack you see near windows and doors.

Don’t forget your foundation and the gaps around pipes. If you can slide a credit card through it, a spider can go to college there. Do it now.

Lighting is a secret weapon.

Spiders love light—not because they’re party animals, but because bugs love light. And bugs are spider appetizers.

Swap your outdoor porch lights for yellow “bug lights” or sodium vapor bulbs. They’re less attractive to insects.

Indoors, pull shades at night. You want your home to glow like a dead disco ball, not a neon bug buffet sign.

Declutter like your life depends on it.

Spiders are basically tiny ninjas. They lurk in cardboard boxes, piles of laundry, and that one closet you haven’t touched since 2017.

Get rid of cardboard boxes. Spiders love them more than you love free shipping. Swap for plastic bins with tight lids.

Vacuum under furniture weekly. Shake out curtains. Make your home feel like a place where a spider would say, “This is way too tidy. I’m out.”

Now, let’s talk natural repellents.

Don’t panic—you won’t need a chemistry degree. Spiders hate strong smells. Really. They have tiny noses? Something like that.

Mix a few drops of peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle. Spray it around door frames, windowsills, and corners. Your house will smell like a candy cane exploded.

Other spider repellent scents: citrus, lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree. Pick your favorite. Spiders will RSVP with “Sorry, can’t make it.”

Vinegar is your cheap best friend.

White vinegar mixed 50/50 with water works wonders. Spray it directly on webs or along baseboards.

The smell fades after a few minutes, but spiders are like “Nope, this place is spoiled.” Just don’t spray it on porous wood—it might stain.

A woolly bear spider once walked past my vinegar-soaked windowsill and literally turned around. I swear.

Don’t forget the web patrol.

Every week, take a broom or a vacuum with a crevice tool and knock down any webs you see. Including the high ones you pretend aren’t there.

Why? Spiders are lazy landlords. If a web keeps getting destroyed, they’ll move to a less hostile Airbnb.

Vacuum up egg sacs, too. Those gray, round puffballs are future spiders. Kill them with fire? No, just vacuum them.

The Great Outside Defense.

Trim bushes and trees so they don’t touch your house. Spiders use branches as bridges. Make them walk the long way.

Keep firewood at least 20 feet from your door. That’s prime spider real estate. Let them live their lives out there.

Seal gaps under exterior doors with weatherstripping. If a spider can crawl under your door, it’s practically an open invitation.

What about sticky traps?

Sticky traps (the flat, glue-covered ones) are decent for monitoring. Put them along baseboards in dark corners.

They’ll catch the occasional spider and give you some peace of mind. But don’t rely on them alone—they’re more of a “who’s sneaking around here” tool.

And yes, check them regularly. No one wants a museum of dead spiders from five years ago.

Accept one or two spiders. It’s okay.

Look, I know you want a spider-free zone. But a lone spider in the corner is actually your roommate who eats mosquitoes and flies.

If you see one, grab a cup and a piece of paper. Relocate it outside. You’ll feel like a god, and the spider will think you’re a giant.

Just don’t let them set up a spider daycare. That’s where we draw the line.

A quick checklist before you go.

1. Seal all entry points (caulk and weatherstripping).
2. Swap outdoor lights for yellow bulbs.
3. Declutter cardboard boxes and vacuum often.
4. Spray peppermint oil or vinegar weekly.
5. Patrol for webs and egg sacs like you’re on a mission.

You’ve got this. Spiders are just tiny eight-legged jerks who can’t read an invitation. Keep them off the guest list.

Now go reclaim your ceiling corners. You’re the one who pays rent here.