How to get rid of spiders in your home: tried and tested tips to help keep spiders away

Spiders are generally harmless, but understandably, most people don’t want the eight-legged arachnids wandering freely around their homes.

As the weather cools down, spiders seek warmth and often find their way into sheltered houses and flats - so we’ve put together a handy guide to help you prevent these creatures from taking up residence.

From mixing up home remedies to maintaining a clean and tidy home, these tried and tested tips can help create a spider-free environment and maintain a comfortable space in your home.

Why are spiders attracted to our homes?

There are several reasons spiders like to make themselves comfortable in our homes, and understanding these can help you tackle the issue of their presence more easily.

Our homes provide a warm and cosy environment for spiders, keeping them sheltered from outside elements and providing the perfect spot for them to build their webs. Our living spaces can also provide the next meal for spiders. As spiders live off insects such as flies and mosquitos, and these bugs are also drawn into our homes by food crumbs and bright lights, spiders tend to follow.

5 top tips to keep spiders away

Follow these tips to guarantee a spider-free home with no unwanted eight-legged roommates bothering you!

1. Create and use home remedies

Lavender, chestnuts, citrus peels, and peppermint oil have all been proven tactical home remedies to keep spiders away from your homes. Easy to create and spritz across your space, we’ve looked into just how these simple remedies work…

Lavender: Repel spiders with a delightful scent! While we humans enjoy the fragrance of lavender, spiders are not so fond of it. Take advantage of this and use it as a repellent to keep spiders away. Simply mix seven drops of lavender essential oil and a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid into a bottle of warm water and spray in areas where spiders can frequently be spotted in your house. This Lavender Essential Oil from Authentic Oil Co will do just the job, or splash out a little more on Miaroma’s Lavender Oil and double it up for your relaxation too!

Chestnuts: Autumn is not only the season for spiders but also for chestnuts. Fortunately, you can use these seasonal nuts to discourage spiders from entering your home. Place a few open chestnuts in places where spiders are likely to sneak about, such as near windows, and they’ll be deterred from settling in.

Peppermint: Not only do spiders dislike lavender, they also hate the fresh scent of peppermint. Detract them with a peppermint spray - add around 20 drops of peppermint essential oil to a spray bottle filled with warm water. Shake well and spray the solution into corners, cracks, and potential entry points for spiders, such as windows and doorways. This natural remedy is guaranteed to keep spiders away. We recommend Authentic Oil Co’s Peppermint Essential Oil, available from Amazon.

Citrus peels: Hold onto your orange, lemon and lime peels and create a repellent for spiders. Place the peels near entry points or potential spider hangouts to ward them off with the citrus scent, which they don’t like.

2. Keep lights turned off

When doors and windows are open, try to keep your lights turned off. Although spiders are not directly attracted to light like other insects, they are drawn to the insects that do. Prevent them from following by turning off lights when you can, including outdoor lights. Opt for motion-activated lights instead.

3. Cover food

Avoid leaving foods and perishables uncovered, such as fresh fruit or pet food. Foods open to the elements, plus crumbs and food spillages, can attract insects like flies and mosquitos that spiders tend to feed on. Regularly clean and be sure to cover up items to reduce the food supply for spiders. Use airtight containers to store food in and clean up spillages immediately.

4. Close windows and doors

Make it harder for spiders to enter your homes by sealing off entry points for them. Seal any cracks or gaps in windows and doors and keep them shut when possible to prevent them from crawling in.

5. Maintain a clean and tidy home

Prevent spiders from invading your space by keeping it clean and tidy. Regularly vacuuming and dusting surfaces will prevent spider webs from building, and keeping areas tidy and organised will eliminate potential hiding spots for them.

If you want to see more household tips and recommendations, head over to our household section. Here you can check out our round-up of the best cordless vacuum cleaners, our guide on decluttering your home, and our spring cleaning checklist.