Get rid of spiders – 6 Natural and Effective Methods
If I’m honest, I actually really like spiders, in the right place at the right time. They’re great little helpers in your garden and can keep away bugs from your crops. They can even help control the mosquito population so your time outdoors is a lot more pleasant. But plenty of people are scared of spiders. Even though I’m not one of them, I still want to keep them outside rather than in. But insecticides can be dangerous, and they’re certainly not something you want to expose your family or yourself to. So what are your options? First, I want to make something clear:
Very few spiders are actually dangerous
Most spiders are quite harmless. They won’t bite, and if they do, only a small percentage is poisonous. Some may have quite a scary appearance, like the vinegaroon spider, which looks like a hybrid between a spider and a scorpion. But the only thing you need to be alert for with this example is a possible infection, as a vinegaroon spider bite does not even contain any venom. In fact, there are over 43.000 species of spiders, and less than 30 have caused human deaths.
My point is: don’t go on a killing spree – these living beings do not mean you harm. With that in mind, here are 6 natural spider repellents, to help keep your spiders helpful, friendly, and most importantly, outside!
- Clean up!
No, this isn’t a trick, and I’m not your mother. But it is true that spiders tend to hide in corners and dark dusty cracks. So keeping up with the dusting and trash will make it harder for them to hide. Keeping dust and food crumbs away also keeps your insect population down, which means there’s no food for spiders to eat. Crawling critters are drawn to light and warmth, so make sure your porch lights are off, and seal up any cracks in door frames, or windows.
2.Essential Oils
Essential oils can be dangerous if they come in contact with the skin, especially, if they haven’t been diluted first. If you have pets, essential oils may not be the best option. But if your home is pet free you can make a great natural repellent with essential oils that can drive bugs away by scent. Just make sure to dilute with 12 oz water to every 10 drops of oils, and add ¼ tsp of dish soap to avoid the oil staining anywhere. Spiders really hate peppermint, tea tree, and citrus. And using essential oils make your house smell fantastic!
- Vinegar or Orange Peels
If you have pets, or you’re worried about essential oils staining your clothes or damaging your skin, using vinegar is also a great spider repellent. The downside to this one is you have to use it right on the spider webs and where you’ve seen them, and you have to spray regularly. Other than that, it’s a pretty simple solution, that involves no toxic chemicals, natural or otherwise. Just mix up a spray bottle with equal parts water and regular white vinegar, and spray it everywhere you find a spider web, or a crack they could travel through. Perfectly natural, and completely safe.
Repeat regularly. If you’re not crazy on the smell of vinegar, peel an orange, and soak them with boiling water. Leave it to sit for a few hours, then strain the mixture. Spiders hate citrus, and humans tend to appreciate the smell a lot more than vinegar. Add it to a spray bottle, and spray away.
- Diatomaceous Earth
It sounds super scientific, but Diatomaceous Earth can be found in most garden centers. It’s just fossilized bits of plants and animals that looks like talcum powder, and can be laid down like earth in your garden to keep bugs away. The tricky part about this is that because the DE has to be laid down evenly, so nothing can escape, it’s really only helpful outside. But spreading some on your porch, or in your garden is helpful for keeping the insect population down.
Tiny particles of DE get ingested or absorbed by the spiders, and eventually dries them out, causing dehydration and suffocation. It may take a few weeks, but you’ll definitely notice the decline over time.
- Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice used in a variety of cooking. It’s what gives yellow curry its color. It’s also found in supplement form. It has a long list of health benefits; it can boost your immune system, relieve joint pain and it’s also an anti-inflammatory. Even better? Spiders hate it!
Mix two tablespoons of turmeric powder with water, until you make a paste. Apply the paste to cotton balls, and set the cotton balls on dishes in corners of your home where spiders are likely to be. Be sure not to rub it onto the walls, or floors. Turmeric stains easily, and is hard to remove.
- Cedar
Cedar is a strong, woodsy scent that brings to mind old log cabins, and maybe an old chest in your grandmother’s attic. It’s a smell a lot of people love, but it’s strong, and tends to scare away insects. Your grandparents may have had cedar chests for their wedding clothes, or family quilts, since cedar keep away moths that would chew holes in fabric. It works just as well on spiders.
It may not be practical to fill your home with cedar chips, but it’s a great option for the garden. Finding clothes hangers, or small cedar rings isn’t hard. Put them in cupboards, corners, and closets, will be sure to scare the spiders and other creepers well away!
Takeaway
Though most spiders are quite harmless and actual helpful, you don’t want them in your home. There are many things you can try to repel spiders in natural and safe ways, that don’t involve spraying poisons around the house. Some, like essential oils, come with their own risks, and others, like turmeric and vinegar and water, may seem a bit messy. But with this list, we’re confident you’ll find the solution to any infestation problem, and keep the spiders and other creepy crawlies outside, where they belong.
