How to Keep Spiders Out of Your House

A comprehensive guide to preventing spiders in the home

Co-authored by Chris Parker and Amy Bobinger

Last Updated: May 24, 2022 Approved

Finding 8-legged creatures in your house can be unsettling, especially if you aren’t a fan of living around spiders. You can keep spiders from burrowing and spinning webs in your home by applying natural remedies like vinegar and essential oils. Maintaining a clean, well sealed home can also prevent spiders from taking up residence in your space. With the right approach, you can keep spiders out of your home easily and effectively.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Applying Natural Remedies

1
Use a vinegar and water spray on cracks or crevices in your home. Fill a spray bottle with half white vinegar and half water. Then, apply the spray to any cracks or crevices in the floors, walls, or windows of your home, as well as on the window sills. Do this once a day to repel spiders.^{[1]
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- Vinegar may kill spiders if they come into direct contact with them, but even if you don't spray the spider directly, it can help ward them off.
- Do not apply the spray to any varnished surfaces, as the vinegar may damage them.
EXPERT TIP

Chris Parker
Founder, Parker Eco Pest Control
Chris Parker is the Founder of Parker Eco Pest Control, a sustainable pest control service in Seattle, Washington. With over seven years of experience, Chris specializes in Integrated Pest Management and doesn’t use any chemicals for pest removal. He offers removal services for ants, rodents, fleas, spiders, wasps, and more. Chris is a certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator in Washington State and received his bachelor’s from the University of Washington.

Chris Parker
Founder, Parker Eco Pest Control

Consider the benefits of spiders before you kill them. Certified pest management professional Chris Parker says: "Spiders are really beneficial around your home because they eat insects, so if you can stand to leave them alone, you should. If you can't deal with them in your house, though, you can place sticky traps under your cabinets and in corners to catch and kill them."
2
Apply essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, and cinnamon. These essential oils are a great natural way to deter spiders from hanging out in your home. Put 15-20 drops of essential oil in a spray bottle with 3 to 5 cups (710 to 1,180 ml) of water and spray your home once a day for a natural spider repellent.^{[2]
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- Swap out different essential oils in the spray so the spiders do not get used to the scent of 1 particular oil.
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3
Rub citrus peels on the floorboards and window sills in your home. Lemon and orange peels are a natural deterrent for spiders. Rub floorboards and window sills with the peels once a day so the smell lingers. You can also have a bowl of citrus fruits in your kitchen to keep spiders out of this area.
- Be aware that this could strip the paint off of your windowsill, so if you do try this, test it in an inconspicuous area first.
- You could also try placing citrus peels near your window sills and doorways to discourage spiders.
4
Put horse chestnuts in the corners and window sills in rooms. Horse chestnuts have a smell and texture that deters spiders. You can buy horse chestnuts at your local natural food store or online. They tend to last a long time and require no upkeep. Spread 4-5 horse chestnuts in each room, especially near windows, to keep spiders away.^{[3]
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5
Spread cedar chips or blocks in your home to keep spiders away. The scent of cedar is a natural deterrent for spiders. Look for cedar chips or blocks at your local hardware store or online. Spread the chips or blocks in the corners and windowsills in your home to keep spiders out.

EXPERT TIP

"Try placing the cedar chips in a bag in spider-prone areas like your eves, crawlspace, and shed."

Chris Parker
Founder, Parker Eco Pest Control
Chris Parker is the Founder of Parker Eco Pest Control, a sustainable pest control service in Seattle, Washington. With over seven years of experience, Chris specializes in Integrated Pest Management and doesn’t use any chemicals for pest removal. He offers removal services for ants, rodents, fleas, spiders, wasps, and more. Chris is a certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator in Washington State and received his bachelor’s from the University of Washington.

Chris Parker
Founder, Parker Eco Pest Control

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Keeping the Inside of Your Home Clean

1
Do a weekly clean of your home to remove dust, dirt, and debris. Keeping your house clean will ensure there are no pieces of food on your floors that can attract spiders. Dust and dirt in the corners of rooms can also serve as a great hiding spot for spiders, so be sure to sweep or vacuum these areas regularly. Clean window sills and frames once a week, or daily, to prevent spider webs from forming.^{[4]
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- You can also apply a natural vinegar or essential oil spray as part of your weekly clean to keep spiders away.
2
Check indoor plants for spiders. Spiders can hide in the leaves of indoor plants and spin webs in the plants. Make sure you check indoor plants every few days for spiders and remove them if you find any. You can also spray a natural pest repellent on the plant, such as white vinegar or essential oil spray.
- Another option is to make a spray out of 1 to 2 teaspoons (4.9 to 9.9 ml) diatomaceous earth powder and 2 to 4 cups (470 to 950 ml) water and apply it to your plants to keep spiders away.
- While most plants can tolerate being sprayed with vinegar, you may want to spray a small area first just to make sure yours won't be affected.
- Try spraying the area about once a week until you don't see spiders anymore.
3
Remove any spider webs inside your home. If you notice spider webs or cobwebs on your rafters, corners, or window frames, use a cloth to wipe them away. This will prevent new spiders from moving into the webs.
4
Keep windows and doors to the outside closed. Prevent spiders from wandering inside your home by keeping windows and doors that open to the outside shut as much as possible. Tell others in your household to try not to leave windows or doors open.
- Installing screens on your doors and windows can help keep pests out while still allowing you to enjoy the fresh air.
5
Consider getting a cat to keep spiders away. Cats will hunt and eat spiders, and serve as a good deterrent to prevent spiders from coming inside. If you are not allergic to cats and are looking to get a pet, a feline friend can be a good way to have companionship, and keep spiders away.^{[5]
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- Having a pet is a big responsibility, so make sure you're ready to take care of a cat before you get one.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Maintaining the Outside of Your Home

1
Turn outside lights off at night to deter bugs that spiders like to eat. Having outside lights on at night can attract flies, mosquitoes, and other pests. The presence of insects will, in turn, attract more spiders. Shut off outside lights at night to keep the perimeter of your home insect-free.^{[6]
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EXPERT TIP

"Turning off the lights at night is the most effective thing you can do to deter spiders."

Chris Parker
Founder, Parker Eco Pest Control
Chris Parker is the Founder of Parker Eco Pest Control, a sustainable pest control service in Seattle, Washington. With over seven years of experience, Chris specializes in Integrated Pest Management and doesn’t use any chemicals for pest removal. He offers removal services for ants, rodents, fleas, spiders, wasps, and more. Chris is a certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator in Washington State and received his bachelor’s from the University of Washington.

Chris Parker
Founder, Parker Eco Pest Control
2
Keep outdoor plants away from the sides of your home. Spiders tend to burrow in the leaves and folds of plants. Try to arrange outdoor plants so they are at least 1 ft (0.30 m) away from the sides of your home. You can also spread diatomaceous earth, a white powder made of fossilized remains of algae, around plants or spray it on plants to kill spiders.^{[7]
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- Avoid planting plants that will try to grow on the sides of your home, such as ivy or tall shrubs.
EXPERT TIP

"You can put diatomaceous earth anywhere you don't want creatures with exoskeletons, including your crawlspace and window sills."

Chris Parker
Founder, Parker Eco Pest Control
Chris Parker is the Founder of Parker Eco Pest Control, a sustainable pest control service in Seattle, Washington. With over seven years of experience, Chris specializes in Integrated Pest Management and doesn’t use any chemicals for pest removal. He offers removal services for ants, rodents, fleas, spiders, wasps, and more. Chris is a certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator in Washington State and received his bachelor’s from the University of Washington.

Chris Parker
Founder, Parker Eco Pest Control
3
Fill any gaps or cracks on the outside of your home. Inspect the exterior of your home to ensure you do not have any cracks in the foundation or gaps forming in your roof or under your doors. Fix any gaps, cracks, or holes by filling them with cement or filler.^{[8]
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- You should also do regular maintenance on the outside of your home to ensure spiders cannot get in by checking for gaps or cracks once a month and fixing them as needed.

Community Q&A

Question

Can I mix 1 part lemon juice, 1 teaspoon dish soap, and 1 part white vinegar to keep spiders away from my home?

Community Answer

Yes this sometimes may work, as I have used it to get rid of the wasps in my balcony. Try it out and see if it works.
Question

Is borax not safe for young kids?

Community Answer

While borax can deter spiders in certain areas, it can cause health issues especially in the elderly or young children. So, no, it's not safe for kids.
Question

What is the best spider repellent?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

You can make a simple but effective spider repellant with vinegar and water. Simply fill a bottle with equal parts water and white vinegar. Spray any cracks or crevices in the floors, walls, and windows of your home to keep spiders away.