How To Keep Spiders Out Of Your House

Let’s be honest. Spiders are the uninvited roommates who never pay rent. They build webs in corners, startle you in the shower, and act like they own the place. This guide is your eviction notice.

Why spiders even want in

Spiders are not after you. They’re after bugs. Your warm, cozy house is basically an all-you-can-eat buffet for their prey. If you remove the buffet, the spiders lose interest.

Here’s a bizarre fact: a single spider can eat up to 2,000 insects a year. That’s heroic, but do we really need that hero in our toothbrush drawer?

Seal the fortress

Spiders are tiny Houdinis. They squeeze through cracks the width of a dime. Walk around your house with a tube of caulk and seal every gap—around windows, doors, and baseboards.

Don’t forget the weird spots. Check where pipes enter walls. Check the attic vents. If light seeps through, a spider can too.

Turn off the porch light

Porch lights are fly magnets. Flies attract spiders. It’s a grim, predictable chain reaction. Use yellow “bug bulbs” instead—they’re less attractive to insects.

Fun fact: some spiders are actually nocturnal ninjas. They wait until dark to prowl. So that porch light is essentially a dinner bell.

How To Get Rid Of Patio Spiders at Caren Knuckles blog

Scents they hate (yes, really)

Spiders breathe through book lungs and their tiny “noses” are on their legs. Strong smells overwhelm them. Peppermint oil is kryptonite. Mix 10 drops with water in a spray bottle and mist corners, windows, and door frames.

They also despise vinegar. And citrus. And chestnuts. Yes, chestnuts. Place a few near entryways—spiders avoid them like bad jokes.

Declutter like a maniac

Spiders love cardboard boxes like kids love candy. Cardboard gives them warmth, hiding spots, and places to lay eggs. Switch to plastic bins with tight lids.

Also, shake out your shoes. Seriously. Black widows sometimes crawl into boots left on the porch. Nothing ruins a morning like a venomous surprise.

14 Great Ways to Keep Spiders Out of Your Home Naturally

The vacuum is your best friend

See a web? Vacuum it. See an egg sac? Vacuum it immediately. One sac can hold hundreds of baby spiders. You do not want a nursery in your living room.

Fun but gross fact: spider silk is stronger than steel by weight. But a vacuum doesn’t care about engineering marvels—it just sucks them up.

Plants that help

Certain houseplants repel spiders naturally. Lavender, eucalyptus, and even rosemary work. Place pots near windows. You get greenery, they get a “keep out” sign.

Bonus: you’ll smell like a fancy spa instead of a bug hostel.

4 Ways to Keep Spiders Out of Your House - wikiHow

Don’t kill the helpful ones

Yes, this is weird advice. Daddy longlegs are harmless to humans and eat ants, mites, and even other spiders. If you see one in a quiet corner, let it stay. It’s like having a tiny, eight-legged bouncer.

But if it’s in your bed? All bets are off. Relocate it outside with a cup and a piece of paper—no murder required.

The final truth

You will never be 100% spider-free. That’s okay. A house is a living ecosystem. The goal isn’t a sterile fortress—it’s fewer surprise encounters.

Think of spiders as weird little neighbors. They want to avoid you as much as you want to avoid them. Give them a reason to move out, and they will. No drama. No rent. Just peace.